“What’s possible for me, is possible for you.”
19K452
1400 Pennsylvania Avenue, 4th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11239
Ph: (718)642-4305/ 4308 Fax: (718)642-4537
Yolanda Martin, Principal
Chantal Grandchamps, Assistant Principal
Fatimah Muhammad, Parent Coordinator
ELA Summer Assignment – ALL Grades
DUE Monday 9/8/14
Name ___________________________________________________
ELA Teacher 2013-2014 ____________________________________
[If you are new to FDA VIII, write the name of the school you were in]
Please turn this form and all other components of this assignment
in a marble notebook to your ELA teacher.
Directions: Over the course of the summer, FDA VIII scholars are expected to continue reading and writing
in a scholarly manner. This year’s assignment has several components, so we have included a checklist to help
you monitor your progress. Please keep the following items in mind:
 All work is to be completed by the scholar. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Passing off anyone else’s
words as your own is considered plagiarism, even if those words are your parents’, friends’ or the
Internet’s. Any work that is found to be plagiarized on this, or any other assignment, will receive a
zero.
 All written work MUST be written in a new notebook that will be used as your ELA notebook/journal
for the school year. Electronic submissions (flash-drive or emailed) will not be accepted.
 Scholars must read ONE of the books indicated for their grade level. All scholars are expected to
own their own copy, which must be brought to school with the completed assignment in September.
 The work submitted will be graded by your new ELA teacher. The grades will be posted in
Jupitergrades for the 1st quarter ELA grade. Additionally, all scholars will take an exam in September
that is based on the book that was read over the break.
 Please keep in mind that your performance on this project will be the basis for your ELA teacher’s first
impression of you. Do your best work, and demonstrate excellence.
Required Reading
**books with stars are the more challenging option
Incoming 6th Grade – CHOOSE ONE
Checklist for Completion
Check off each component to ensure success!!
o
I purchased and read the book indicated
for my grade.
o
Reading Journal – I took notes on the
book using the suggested questions.
o
Writing Journal – I wrote journal entries
on at least FIVE and up to TEN separate
days over the summer that were at least 1
page/300 words.
Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos
Samir and Yonatan by Daniella Carmi **
Incoming 7th Grade - REQUIRED BOOK
The Bully by Paul Langan
Incoming 8th Grade – CHOOSE ONE
(YALE SCHOLARS MUST READ BOTH)
Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys **
o Signatures – My parents/guardians and I
signed the declaration which
demonstrates that I did this work on my
own and that I understand I will be
graded and tested on the book.
Explanation of ELA Summer Assignment
I.
II.

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
READING JOURNAL
a. While you are reading your book, you should keep these guiding questions in mind. Please
take notes on any/all of these questions and DO NOT hand them in to your ELA teacher.
(Or you can use post-it notes to annotate your book.) The more notes you have, the better
off you will be! You may use these notes and your copy of the book for an exam during the
first week of school.
Guiding Questions
i. What is the main conflict of the narrative? What are the minor conflicts?
ii. How does the setting (time and place) affect the events or circumstances in the plot?
iii. What kind of person is the main character? Do you think you could be friends?
iv. All characters make choices. Choose one choice that the main character made and
explain it. Do you think he/she made the right choice? Why or why not?
v. How does this book relate to other books you have read?
vi. List and describe the different relationships the main character has with supporting
characters (family, friends, romantic, enemy, etc.). Which relationships are harmful?
Which relationships are beneficial?
vii. What clues did the author provide about how the book would end?
viii. How is the main conflict solved?
ix. Were you satisfied with the ending? How might you have ended it?
x. Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?
JOURNALING – FIVE ENTRIES REQUIRED in your marble notebook!
a. Over the course of the summer, write a maximum of ten journal entries. Each entry must
be one page (300 word minimum). You may use any of the following prompts (use each
only once) or write about what you see/hear/ feel.
My favorite relative is…because…
 In ten years, I will be…
Even on the worst days, I am grateful for…
 My favorite place is…
One time my brother/sister…
 One person that I would like to meet
is…because…
Once upon a time…
Parent and Scholar Declaration
I, ____________________________¸attest that I have completed all work on this summer
assignment by myself, and with no assistance from fellow scholars, parents, peers, siblings,
books or the Internet. I understand that reading and writing are important skills that should
be continually practiced throughout a scholar’s life, including during vacations and the
summer. The work that is being turned in demonstrates scholarly effort, achievement
and success. I understand that this assignment will count towards the first report card of the
2014-2015 school year, and that I will be tested on the book that I read. I understand that I
am expected to purchase the book I have chosen, and that it must be brought to school with
my completed work.
___________________________ ________
_______________________ ________
Scholar signature
Parent/Guardian Signature date
date
You may read BOTH books for your
grade level for extra credit!
All work is
DUE Monday
September 8,
2014