TH
Dear Parents and Guardians of Incoming 8 th
grade students:
To provide an opportunity for continued reading growth and in preparation for the rigors of 8 th
grade year Language Arts, students are expected to read two books and research and read one nonfiction article over the summer and complete all required assignments. Students are also required to track all their summer reading online.
Y our support of the summer reading program is critical. Next year, students will set a reading goal of 25 books. They might not think they can do it, but they can! These two books will be the start of their 25 book goal list.
READING REQUIREMENTS (Must complete all):

Choose one book from the 2013 8 th
Grade Graduates’ Books We Love list. This list can be found in the binder at the Saxton B. Little Library and on my web site http://teacherweb.com/CT/HoraceWPorterSchool/Munoz/photo1.aspx
. If students would like to read a book that is not on this list, they may contact Mrs. Muñoz at cmunoz@hwporter.org.

Choose one book from the 2014 Connecticut Nutmeg Award (Teen or High School
List). These lists can be found in the binder at the Saxton B. Little Library and on the
CT Nutmeg website http://www.nutmegaward.org/ .

Research and read one non-fiction article or book that is related in some way to one of the fiction books that was read.
ASSIGNMENT REQUIREMENTS (Must complete all):

Through a pilot partnership with the Saxton B. Little Free Library, students must record all the books they read over the summer online Students must read a minimum of 2 books. If a student is unable to track their progress online, see the alternate assignment below. The link is available online on my web site and the Saxton B.
Little web site. http://tinyurl.com/munozreading

Part One: Students must complete a minimum of two Book Plugs online. See assignment found on the next page. The book plugs must be done on both the book they read from the 2014 CT Nutmeg list and the 8 th
Grade Graduates’ List. If a student is unable to complete their book plugs online, please see the alternate assignment below.

Part Two: Students must complete the Nonfiction Connection assignment found on the third page of the packet.


Register for the Online Summer Reading Program. Hopefully you registered in school on June 14 th . Please see attached handout on program.
For both required books (book from 8 th Grade Graduates’ List and a 2014
Nutmeg), submit a book plug online.
Assignment: In your online book plug, please include the following:
1.
Include the title of the book, author, and genre.
2.
Open strong; ask a question, give an opinion, or make
them laugh!
3.
Include main characters and setting.
4.
Grab their attention! Share an exciting part of the story.
5.
Don’t give away too much – leave them wanting more!
6.
Make a comparison: “If you liked Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you’ll love this book, too!”
ALTERNATE ASSIGNMENT FOR PART ONE:
If you are unable to complete summer reading online, please remember you can use the public library to complete this. However, if you are still unable to complete it online, you must complete this alternate assignment in lieu of
Part One:
Track all the books you have read on the Governor’s Summer Reading
Form http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/ctread/sr2013journal.pdf
(and in the main office of the school) and complete TWO book plugs on a separate piece of paper according to above criteria for writing a book plug.

Find a nonfiction article that relates to the book you chose to read this summer. You may use an article you find online (www.iconn.org) or from an actual magazine or newspaper.
After reading the article and attaching it to this paper, complete this sheet with thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Be sure to use evidence from the texts (book and article) to support the connection. It may be better to write or type on a separate piece of paper. Just be sure you have all the information required. You must also have a parent/guardian sign it.
Author(s): _________________________________________________
Article Title: _______________________________________________
Magazine or Newspaper Title: __________________________________
Citation and Publication Date:___________________________________
This article connects with the book I read for summer reading because:
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My son/daughter completed the Summer Reading Requirement.
Parent/Guardian Signature:
___________________________________ Date: ________________