MYSTIC VALLEY REGIONAL CHARTER SCHOOL
2015 Summer Reading Program – Grades 9-12
In keeping with our philosophy of rigorous academic training and in anticipation of the upcoming school
year, Mystic Valley’s English teachers would like students to read independently this summer. The school
has chosen texts that are intended to cultivate reading skills and cultural literacy, and we hope students
will find the material enjoyable and fulfilling. Students will be issued copies of the required books during
the last week of the 2014-2015 academic year, and will be responsible for returning them in good
condition this August.
Grade
Book 1
1984, George Orwell
9
Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe
10
Atlas Shrugged (IB); Anthem (CP and H), Ayn Rand
11
Our Town, Thornton Wilder
12
Book 2
Hiroshima, John Hersey
The Language Police, Diane Ravitch
Assessment I: Response Entries (10% of the first quarter English grade)
 Collected on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 20, 2014
 A total of ten (10) typed entries, to be completed as you read. These are intended to be
dialectical journal entries, which means that you will “talk back” to the text to create your own
meaning. You should ask questions, answer questions, make inferences, make connections to
other works, express reactions to the author’s words, and make predictions.
o Entry 1 should be completed after reading the first ten pages of the book.
o Entries 2-9 can focus on any chapter, but they must address at least five (5) of the
following specific, meaningful aspects of the reading:
 A significant quote or passage.
 A character description or action.
 A relationship and how it develops.
 A plot twist or conflict.
 A memorable image or symbol.
 An emerging theme or motif.
 An aspect of the author’s writing style.
 A personal connection to the work.
o Entry 10 is a personal reflection to be completed after the other entries. Did you expect
the story to develop as it did? Did you enjoy the book(s)? Why or why not? What details
might you have changed or added? Has your thinking changed over the course of this
assignment? Reflect upon the reading experience.
 Each entry should be dated.
 Each entry should be a minimum of 200 words.
 Each entry should incorporate at least one quotation.
 Each entry should be typed, double spaced, and in 12-point font.
 If you are reading two books, devote at least three entries to each work.
 Teachers will collect the entries on the first day of the 2014-2015 academic year and use the
attached rubric to assess student work.
o A penalty of 10% per day will be applied to late work.
The English Department will handle all instances of plagiarism in accordance with Mystic Valley’s
academic honesty policy. If a student fails to cite information acquired from an external source, including
online study guides such as Spark Notes, the student must rewrite the assignment for up to 50% of its
total value. When in doubt, quote and cite your source!
Assessment II : Summer Reading Test (10% of the first quarter English grade)
 Students will be tested on the third day of school in the 2014-2015 academic year.
Should you have any questions about these reading requirements, please contact Jonathan Hartt, MVRCS
English Department Head, at jhartt@mvrcs.org. Thank you on behalf of the English Department and the
Leadership Team.
Reading Journal Rubric
A
 Choices: Meaningful details, passages, plot and quote selections.
 Interpretation: Thoughtful interpretation and commentary about the text; avoids clichés and
summarizing. Makes excellent literary connections.
 Literary Features: Includes comments about literary elements such as diction, imagery, syntax,
and how these elements contribute to the meaning of the text.
 Curiosity: Makes insightful personal connections and asks precise, thought-provoking questions.
 Requirements: Coverage of text is complete and thorough. Meets every assignment requirement.
 Presentation: Journal is neat, organized and professional looking; student has followed all
instructions in the organization and design of their entries.
B
 Choices: Contains meaningful references, good plot and quote selections.
 Interpretation: Commentary includes relevant, intelligent questions and comments; addresses
some thematic connections without excessive plot summary.
 Literary Features: Generally detailed appreciation of literary elements, but less on how they
contribute to the meaning.
 Curiosity: Real, personal connection to the text; asks pertinent questions. Defines difficult words
and seeks clarification when necessary.
 Requirements: Satisfactorily addresses most parts of the assignment.
 Presentation: Journal is neat and readable; student has followed all instructions in the
organization and design of journal entries.
C
 Choices: Some use of textual details in discussion.
 Interpretation: The commentary is sometimes accurate but often contains vague or unsupported
ideas; much plot summary/paraphrase.
 Literary Features: Lists a few literary elements, but there is little discussion of meaning.
 Curiosity: Limited investment/personal connection; asks few or obvious questions.
 Requirements: Addresses some of the reading assignment, but is not very thorough.
 Presentation: Journal is relatively neat, but may be difficult to read. Student has not followed all
instructions in journal organization and design.
D
or
F
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Choices: Few details from the text. Missing quotations.
Interpretation: All notes are plot summary or paraphrase.
Literary Features: Few literary elements; virtually no discussion on meaning.
Curiosity: Limited personal connection; no good questions.
Requirements: Limited coverage of the text. Missing elements.
Presentation: Journal entries are difficult to read. Student has not followed directions regarding
journal entry organization and design.
Rubric adapted from material by Apopka High School (FL)