ELA
Name: ______________
Summer Writing Menu
DIRECTIONS:
Choose a minimum of ONE activity PER column. You may mix and match across the rows (topics) as much as you’d like.
Make sure that you refer to the RUBRIC as well as the directions/prompts below to get the grade you want!
Any length minimums assume that your answer is typed in 12 pt. Times New Roman and double-spaced.
You are expected to list a source for the RESEARCH, INFORMATIVE WRITING, and VOCABULARY columns (but persuasive writing might
need to be cited too if you use facts that aren’t common knowledge).
Narrative
Persuasive
Vocabulary
(≥ ½ page)
(≥1 page)
(≥1 page)
(≥1 page)
(≥1 paragraph)
3. Write a story
about summer
homework, whether
or not it gets done,
and what the
consequences are.
4. Convince me why
summer reading should
or should not take place
this summer in
preparation for your
classes next year.
5. Look up and define
the term “summer
slide”, including
specifics about its longterm impacts on
learning.
9. Should teens pack
their summer with
learning, productivity,
and activity, or should
they be permitted to
relax and be in control
of their time? Persuade
me.
14. Persuade me on
whether or not people
LEARN while on
vacation, and thus
whether or not trips,
field trips, and/or study
abroad are worth the
time and expense.
10. Research the term
SMART goal; once
you’ve defined the
acronym, describe why
so many people want
goals to be SMART, and
if you have ever done
one before.
15. The opposite of
vacation is a
“staycation”, a term
that was just invented in
2008. Define this word
and describe why it was
invented specifically in
THAT year.
Summer
Reading
Informative
1.Research why schools
assign summer reading
and/or homework,
including what the most
common books or
assignments are for your
grade level.
2. Make a chart fully
explaining how summer
reading might have pros
AND cons for teachers,
students, and parents.
Goals &
Plans
Research
6. Do some research on
ways people spend their
time during a summer
vacation, and build either a
30-Day Challenge or an
action plan of what you
want to accomplish.
7. Make a neutral list of
the ways that you, your
parents, your teachers,
and your friends all want
you to spend your time
this summer. Once it’s
done, analyze the pros
and cons of those lists.
8. Write about
someone’s summer
project, job, or goal,
and whether or not it
succeeds!
Vacation!
•
•
•
•
11. Pick your ideal dream
vacation; research and
construct a budget for
every element of it,
including airfare, food, etc.
12. Choose any city in the
world, and write down
some things that a visitor
might do while he or she
is there.
13. Tell the story of
a real or fictional
vacation you’ve
taken that had a
lasting impact on
you.
© Secondary Sara
Big
Moments
16. Research summer
traditions around the
world, and describe at least
five of them in detail.
17. Look up a festival,
celebration, or other
event in your state, and
write a neutral description
of it for an unfamiliar
audience.
June
21. Research famous
events in history that
occurred in June, including
what you think are the top
three most significant ones
(and why).
22. Research why June has
historically been such a
common month for
weddings, along with
some stats about the
current wedding industry.
23. Write about the
last day of school and
the memorable way
life changes as a
result.
24. Write a persuasive
letter to a school district
arguing whether or not
school should be in
session all year long
(eliminating summer
break).
July
26. Research famous
events in history that
occurred in July, including
what you think are the top
three most significant ones
(and why).
27. Research a summer
camp in your state, how it
could benefit you, what
the negatives are, and
whether or not you think
you might do it.
28. Write about an
epic summer
adventure, what
happens, and what
you won’t forget
from it.
29. Write a persuasive
essay about whether or
not students should be
required to take at least
one class in summer
school every year.
30. This month was
named after Julius
Caesar. Research Julius
and his contributions to
the world.
August
Name: ______________
31. Research famous
events in history that
occurred in August,
including what you think
are the top three most
significant ones (and why).
32. Make a list of ways
that a student COULD
prepare for returning to
school this month, AND
some things a student
could do to still have fun.
33. Write a story
about someone going
back to school (or
preparing to do so),
and whether or not it
goes well.
34. Persuade our school
district when in August
or September school
should resume (knowing
that it also affects when
school ends in
May/June).
35. “August” is a noun,
but it’s ALSO an
adjective, so define
THAT and use it in a
sentence.
Free
Choice*
ELA
18. Tell the story of
an adventure or
memorable moment
from a summer in
your past.
19. Write a fake request
letter, asking a parent
for permission to do
what you want, being
persuasive about why
he/she should let you.
20. Look up the term
“summer solstice”.
Define it and describe
some of its traditions
around the world.
25. Look up the Roman
goddess Juno (the origin
for the word June) and
try to explain why this
month is named after
her.
36. Research a topic of
your choice that connects
to this season, making sure
to cite at least one credible
source and report on those
findings.
37. Inform me about a
topic relevant to this
season, making sure to
teach or objectively
explain all sides.
39. Choose another
element of this season
to critique or defend.
40. Choose a word,
phrase, or term to
define, including either
multiple meanings/
connotations or its
origins.
38.Write any story or
scene you’d like that
connects to this
season.
*If you do the “Free Choice” option, you MUST get teacher approval for your overall topic and your sub-topics/ prompts.
© Secondary Sara
ELA
Name: ______________
Summer Writing: Brainstorm Page
DIRECTIONS: Fully complete the table below to help you plan your writing! J
Informative Writing
(≥1 page)
Creative Writing
(≥1 page)
Persuasive Writing
(≥1 page)
Vocabulary
(≥1 paragraph)
Do you need to cite a
source? Which one
will you use?
What will you write about
or say?
What does
the rubric
clearly want
this to be
like?
Which #
or row
did you
pick?
Research
(≥ ½ page)
© Secondary Sara
ELA
Name: ______________
4
3
2
1
Researc
h (W.7)
Student fully lists and analyzes the topic using
several credible sources and correctly citing
them.
Student generally answers the
prompt with cited facts from a
credible source.
1 criterion to earn a
“3” was not shown.
2 or more criteria
to earn a “3” were
not shown.
Informati
ve
Writing
(W.2)
Student writes an informative piece at or
above grade level that exceeds expectations
for a combination of structure, length, use of
facts, or an objective writing style.
Student writes an objective piece of
informative writing that generally
answers the prompt without bias.
1 criterion to earn a
“3” was not shown.
2 or more criteria
to earn a “3” were
not shown.
Creative
Writing
(W.3)
Student writes a narrative scene or story at or
above grade level that exceeds expectations
for storytelling techniques, use of detail, and
engaging the reader.
Student writes a narrative scene or
story that uses appropriate detail
and storytelling techniques (i.e.
narration, dialogue, description).
1 criterion to earn a
“3” was not shown.
2 or more criteria
to earn a “3” were
not shown.
Persuasiv
e Writing
(W.1)
Student writes a persuasive piece at or above
grade level that exceeds expectations for a
combination of structure, length, use of facts,
logic, or writing style.
Student takes a clear side on an
issue and persuades the reader with
a mix of fact and opinion.
1 criterion to earn a
“3” was not shown.
2 or more criteria
to earn a “3” were
not shown.
Vocab.
(L.5)
Student fully lists and analyzes multiple
meanings for a word or expression.
Student can describe multiple
denotative and connotative
meanings for a word or expression.
1 criterion to earn a
“3” was not shown.
2 or more criteria
to earn a “3” were
not shown.
Gramm
ar
(L.2)
Summer Writing Project Rubric
The absence of errors indicates mastery of
grammar and/or mastery of editing skills.
The general lack of errors shows
mastery of grammatical concepts
and/or proofreading skills.
Errors indicate a partial
lack of grammar or
proofreading skills.
Errors indicate a lack
of grammar or
proofreading skills.
Turn-In Guidelines
 Rubric
 Brainstorming page
 All drafts
Effort Considerations
 All parts printed/turned in on time
 Minimum lengths met
Teacher Comments:
Self-Assessment
What did you do well?
What should/could you still revise?
© Secondary Sara
ELA
Name: ______________
Summer Writing Narratives: Creative Writing Story Starters by Category
Summer
Reading
Goals &
Plans
Vacation!
Memorable
Moments
June
July
August
• On the last day of summer, I thought, “Maybe I should start that book…”
• He held the book by its spine with two fingertips, frowning, as if it were a dirty rag.
• “I read it in June. Twice.”
• I should have hated the book… but I didn’t.
• When I leaned on the service counter, my elbow landed in ice cream, and my stupid hat slid off.
• This is the worst job ever, she thought.
• “Don’t come back until you’re done!” he shouted.
• I had one mission, and only two months to do it.
• He held up two plane tickets and grinned.
• She dug her toes into the sand, sighing contentedly as the sun began to set.
• “What’s that smell?” he said as he stepped into the cabin.
• “We finally made it.”
• It was the most epic game of Capture the Flag of all time.
• The Great Food Fight of 2007 started off as my birthday dinner.
• It all started as a prank.
• The tree house practically shook with laughter.
• He ran out of the classroom, dropping his book bag into the trash can on the way out.
• Everyone else was ready to leave, but I wasn’t.
• “Don’t forget me,” she said as a tear escaped.
• “Did you see what he wrote in your yearbook?” she squealed.
• “Um, why do you have fireworks?”
• We laid on the picnic blanket under the stars, waiting for the show to start.
• “Is there anything better than carnival food?” he said happily.
• I couldn’t forget that day, even if I tried.
• We were determined to spend our last night of freedom with a bang.
• He took a running leap into the pool, as if a cannonball would extend summer by another day.
• The ice cream truck’s sad song faded around the corner as it drove away.
• My book bag was full of new school supplies, but I still didn’t feel ready.
© Secondary Sara