THIS IS A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT FOR ALL ENTERING 8TH GRADERS AND WILL COUNT
AS A PORTION OF THEIR FIRST QUARTER GRADE!
Summer Reading 2015!
Dear future eighth graders,
We are so excited to meet you in August and have you join us for an eventful 20152016 school year. As we, your teachers, busily prepare this summer for the upcoming school
year, you will need to prepare as well. How? By READING! It is vitally important that you
continue to read over the summer in order to sustain your current reading level. Studies
have shown that, if a student does not read over the summer, his or her reading level can
actually decrease, and we want to prevent that. Therefore, to ensure your success and
prevent any reading regression, we are requiring you to read at least one book over the
summer. (However, please feel free to read MORE if you choose!)
The summer reading assignment includes both a reading component AND a writing
component; you will be reading one book AND completing a double-entry
journal/vocabulary assignment as you read the book. Our school library will be open
throughout the summer if you need assistance.
Needed Supplies:
1. One book from the “Book Choice List” below.
a. You may purchase the book or borrow it from the library.
2. Spiral notebook OR composition notebook
3. ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A BOOK BEFORE THE END OF SCHOOL.
Assignment:
1. READ: Read a book from the summer reading book list sometime this summer.
2. PASSAGE & RESPOND: As you read, choose one passage from EACH chapter and complete a double
entry journal response for EACH passage you choose. You should have 15-20 entries; one passage and one
response equals ONE entry.
a. Use the “Response to Literature: Sentence Leads” provided in this packet to help you when
responding to the passages. Each of your responses should be a MINIMUM of three sentences in
length. (Read the detailed directions on page 4 of this packet for further instructions.)
3. VOCABULARY: Choose 20 words from the book that either you don’t know OR that contribute to the
book in a meaningful way (ex. words that emphasize the author’s style; words that add to or progress the
plot; words that have multiple meanings).
a. For each word, you need to include: (1) the page number from the book, (2) the sentence in the
book from which it was taken, and (3) the a student made definition. (Use the Vocabulary Table
format on page 3 of this packet as a guide.)
4. SUBMIT: Bring your double-entry journal/vocabulary responses to school with you on the first FULL day
of school. We will begin using them immediately in class. LAST day to submit will be Aug. 12th.
Book Choice List:
Across 5 Aprils- Irene Hunt
Breathing Underwater – Alex Flinn
Lexile Measure:1100L
Lexile Measure:510L
Winter Dance- Gary Paulsen
Westing Game – Ellen Raskin
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Lexile Measure:1140L
Lexile Measure:750L
Define “Normal” - Julie Anne Peters
Theadore Boone: Kid Lawyer – John Grisham
Lexile Measure:350L
Lexile Measure:790L
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Heat – Mike Lupica Lexile® Measure:940L
Other books may be substituted, but MUST be PREAPPROVED by an 8th grade ELA teacher.
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Double-Entry Journal Directions
Your task is to use a notebook, composition book, or folder to record your thoughts about and
understanding of your summer reading book.
Directions:
1. Divide several pages of your notebook into two sections by drawing a vertical line down the
center.
2. You must have 1 entry (a passage AND a response to the passage) for every chapter of the book
you choose with a total of 15- 20 journal entries. Remember, 1 entry equals a passage AND your
response to the passage.
3. On the left-hand side, copy down a short passage/entry from the text that you find interesting in
some way.
4. Always show the author’s last name and page number on the left side for each entry.
5. On the right-hand side, write your personal responses…why you found that sentence(s) or
passage(s) interesting or confusing. Each personal response should be at least 3 sentences in length
to ensure that a thorough explanation is given. You can use the “Responding to Literature: Sentence
Leads” to help with your responses.
An example is provided on page 3 of this summer reading packet.
Vocabulary Choose 20 words from the book that either you don’t know OR that contribute to the
book in a meaningful way (ex. words that emphasize the author’s style; words that add to or
progress the plot; words that have multiple meanings).
 For each word, you need to include: (1) the page number from the book, (2) the sentence in
the book from which it was taken, and (3) the definition. (Use the Vocabulary Table format
on page 2 of this packet as a guide.)
ELA teachers can help students set up their reading journal, if they are brought to school before
May 21st.
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DOUBLE-ENTRY JOURNAL EXAMPLE
Passage from Text:
Response To Passage:
(Remember, a passage is ANY words that you cite
from the book. It is NOT just dialogue.)
(Use one of the “sentence leads” provided on the
Response to Literature: Sentence Leads to assist
you in forming responses.)
Example quote:
Example response:
(This is a passage from City of Ember.)
(This is an example of how you could respond to
the quote from City of Ember.)
“As they came to a halt in the middle of the street
or stood stock-still in their homes, afraid to move
in the utter blackness, they were reminded of
something they preferred not to think about: that
someday the lights of the city might go out and
never come back on” (DuPrau, 4).
I wonder why it’s so dark and why the lights may
go out and never come back on. Does the sun not
exist in this novel? I think the darkness adds to the
dystopian setting and could be foreshadowing
future events when the lights do go out forever.
Include the
author’s last
name.
Include the page
# from where
the passage was
found.
VOCABULARY TABLE
(USE THIS FORMAT FOR THE VOCABULARY PORTION OF THE SUMMER ASSIGNMENT.)
Vocabulary
Word
Page number Context Sentence
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Definition
Picture
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Check list for Double Entry Journal & Vocabulary Summer Reading Assignment:
_____Front or first page of notebook or folder has your name and title of book
_____Completion: contains one journal entry for EACH chapter of the book (15- 20 entries)
_____Critical Thinking: Entries show proof of reading and proof of thinking; each
response is a minimum of 3 sentences in length
_____Organization: Double entry journal is organized correctly
_____Page number and quotation marks are used for each entry
_____Correct use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, complete
sentences
_____ Vocabulary: All words are student defined; page number and sentence from which
word was used and drawing/visual is included.
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Return this portion of the page
Student’s name_______________________________
I have read the Summer Reading requirements (reading response and vocabulary).
I understand:
 This is a required assignment.
 This will be used in class at the beginning of 8th grade.
 Books are available from the school library.
 8th grade teachers can PRE-APPROVE alternate books.
 Help is available before the school year ends and in the library over the summer.
Student signature_________________________________
Parent Signature__________________________________
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