June 23, 2014
Dear Caregivers,
All students at BSA are assigned a Summer Reading Project this summer. Your student is
required to complete this reading project by the first day of school for his or her English class.
This project will be graded and factored into your student’s Quarter 1 English grade.
The Summer Reading Project entails:
-
-
Reading at least one book this summer (for suggestions and recommendations see the
“Summer Reading at New York Libraries” guide – this document, which is attached,
includes book options available at the city libraries)
Completing one project with a cover page and summary by September 4th (the project
list and cover page is attached)
Presenting the project to his/her English class on September 12th
Your child is welcome to reach out for support with any questions over the summer. Ms. Ortiz,
Ms. Molyneaux and Ms. Rodriguez will be available to help with this project. The “Summer
Reading at New York Libraries” list, as well as the project list and cover page and summary can
be found on our school website www.broomestreetacademy.org, and as a link on the Broome
Street Academy Facebook page.
Have a wonderful summer and keep reading!
Sara Ortiz
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
sara@broomestreetacademy.org
(212) 453-0295 ext. 3234
Rebecca Kessler
Department Chair of English & Foreign Languages
bkessler@broomestreetacademy.org
Name: ___________________________________________________
Summer Reading Project: Cover Page & Summary
Directions: Complete the following required reflection pages before beginning your creative
assignment. You need to turn in this form AND your book project choice. Please staple or paper
clip all parts of the project together.
PART ONE: Complete the questions for your book (5
points)
Title of book: ___________________________________________________
Author: ________________________________________________________
Type of book (genre):_____________________________________________
Number of pages in the book: _______________________________________
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
Name: ___________________________________________________
Book: ___________________________________________________
Write a summary of your book: (20
points)
In the space provided OR a separate sheet, please write/type your OWN summary of the book.
You must write a minimum of 3 paragraphs (5 sentences or more) and write everything in your
OWN WORDS. *Note: Failure to write in your own words will result in a failing grade for
this project.
Make sure to include:
1. Setting (place AND time), main characters, main ideas, major plot points, conflict and
resolution of the story.
(15 points)
2. Correct punctuation, grammar, and spelling (if you handwrite, make sure that we can
read it with little difficulty!) (5
points)
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Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
Name: ___________________________________________________
Book: ___________________________________________________
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Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
Name: ___________________________________________________
Book: ___________________________________________________
PART TWO: Choose one of the following projects to complete and present in your English
class. (75
points)
Check off the project of your choice below. Find project descriptions on the following pages.
_____ Choice #1 Movie Poster & Explanation-- Imagine that the book read was turned into a
movie. If it already has been, do not rely on that movie as a reference for your project. Act as if
a new movie was being created. Create a movie poster that reflects an important idea from the
book. Creativity and effort must be shown!
_____ Choice #2 Two Person Interview-- Film or write out a formal interview with either a
character from the novel or the author of the novel. Make sure the interview is informative.
Based on the novel, how would the character/author answer your questions? For example, if the
character is of a different culture, how would that person answer?
_____ Choice #3 Critical Lens Essay-- Choose ONE of the Critical Lens Quotations below to
prove true or false by using facts and support from your summer reading book. In your essay,
provide a valid interpretation of the statement, agree OR disagree with the statement as you have
interpreted it, and support your opinion by referring to the characters, conflicts, and themes from
your summer reading book.
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
Name: ___________________________________________________
Book: ___________________________________________________
Choice #1 Movie Poster & Explanation
Imagine that the book read was turned into a movie. If it already has been, do not rely on that
movie as a reference for your project. Act as if a new movie was being created. Create a movie
poster that reflects an important idea from the book. Creativity and effort must be shown!
Requirements:

Use a poster board or large paper.

You must have the title, tagline (catchy phrase), and major actors displayed on the poster.

The tagline must be creative and refer to the concept reflected. For example, the tagline
for the movie The Lion King is: “Life's greatest adventure is finding your place in the Circle of
Life.”

Artwork must be creative and there must be evidence of EFFORT!

On the back of the poster, you must write a paragraph that logically explains your
concept and why you chose the design on your poster and explains the actors you chose to
portray your characters. Refer to CHARACTERIZATION. (Characterization means the
way the author reveals the personality of a character.)
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
Choice #1 Movie Poster Rubric
Student Name:
_____________________________________________
Book: _____________________________________________________
CATEGORY
4
3
Focus on Topic
There is one clear,
well-focused topic.
Main idea stands out
and is supported by
detailed information.
Main idea is clear but Main idea is somewhat
the supporting
clear but there is a
information is general. need for more
supporting
information.
The main idea is not
clear. There is a
seemingly random
collection of
information.
Relevant, telling,
quality details give the
reader important
information that goes
beyond the obvious or
predictable.
Supporting details and
information are
relevant, but one key
issue or portion of the
storyline is
unsupported.
Supporting details and
information are
relevant, but several
key issues or portions
of the storyline are
unsupported.
Supporting details and
information are unclear
or not related to the
topic.
Style
Appropriate sentence
structure, transitions,
tone, voice and
vocabulary are used
well throughout the
writing.
Appropriate sentence
structure, transitions,
tone, voice and
vocabulary are used
throughout the writing
with some mistakes.
Some appropriate
sentence structure,
transitions, tone, voice
and vocabulary are
used throughout the
writing but with
multiple mistakes.
Inappropriate sentence
structure, transitions,
tone, voice and
vocabulary are used
throughout the writing
or not used at all in the
writing.
Grammar and
Mechanics
One or fewer mistakes
in capitalization,
punctuation,
formatting, and
spelling.
Two to four mistakes
in capitalization,
punctuation,
formatting, and
spelling.
Five to seven mistakes
in capitalization,
punctuation,
formatting, and
spelling.
Eight or more mistakes
in capitalization,
punctuation,
formatting, and
spelling.
Characterization
ALL major
actors/characters are
accurately described
using specific character
traits. Textual evidence
is cited to explain
chosen character traits.
ALL major
actors/characters are
accurately described
using character traits.
Some textual evidence
is cited to explain
chosen character traits.
Some major
actors/characters are
accurately described
using character traits.
Some textual evidence
is cited to explain
chosen character traits.
Some major
actors/characters are
accurately described
using character traits.
No textual evidence is
cited to explain chosen
character traits.
(Content)
Support for Topic
(Content)
(Details from
Reading)
2
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
1
Name: ___________________________________________________
Book: ___________________________________________________
Choice #2 Two Person Interview
Film or write out a formal interview with either a character from the novel or the author of the
novel. Make sure the interview is informative. Based on the novel, how would the
character/author answer your questions? For example, if the character is of a different culture,
how would that person answer?
Requirements:




Interview must be at least 5 minutes in length if filmed or 2 full pages if typed.
There must be a minimum of 10 open-ended questions. (Yes/no questions do not count).
Consider character in your interview. You will be graded partially for
CHARACTERIZATION.
**(Characterization means the way the author reveals the personality of a character.)
You can do this project in a pair or group. You will all receive the same grade.
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
Choice #2 Two Person Filmed Interview Rubric
Student Name:
________________________________________
Book: _____________________________________________________
CATEGORY 4
3
2
1
Connection All important parts of the
to Literature story were included and
were accurate. The plot of
the book is clear.
Almost all important
parts of the story were
included and were
accurate. Most plot
details were clear.
Quite a few important
parts of the story were
included and were
accurate. Some of the
plot details were
clear.
Much of the story
was left out or it was
inaccurate. The
details of the plot
were unclear.
Interview is original,
Interview is original and Interview is mildly
creative, and obviously well well-written, with only original, and has
prepared beforehand.
a few errors.
several errors. There
may be little evidence
of preparation.
Interview is not
original and/or errors
are excessive. There
is no evidence of
preparation.
Interview is clear (audio and
video) with little or no
shaking or obvious
cutting/editing. If typed,
interview is professional
and all grammar and
spelling are correct.
Interview audio and
video is clear with one
or two errors in cutting
and editing. If typed,
interview is
professional and there
fewer than 3 errors in
spelling and grammar.
Interview may not be
clear with several
errors throughout. If
typed, interview
contains fewer than 7
errors in spelling and
grammar.
Interview is nearly
unwatchable due to
errors. If typed,
spelling and grammar
contains more than 7
errors.
Time
7+ minutes used adequately
for interview purpose. 10 or
more questions are
included.
7-7+ minutes used, but
some time was wasted
on non-interview
material. 10 or more
questions are included.
4-6 minutes were
used for the interview.
6-9 questions are
included.
Less than 4 minutes
were used for the
interview. Less than 6
questions are
included.
Characterization
Student shows knowledge
of character by accurately
depicting them and their
traits. Student writes or
speaks the way the character
The student writes or
speaks in the voice of
the character and says 1
or 2 things that aren't
what the character
The student
sometimes writes or
speaks in the voice of
the character but often
does not stay in
The student rarely
writes or speaks in
the voice of the
character.
Quality/
Effort/
Creativity
Quality of
Media/
Quality of
Writing
Mechanics
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
would speak in the novel.
would say/ do.
character.
Choice #3 Critical Lens Essay
Student Name:
_____________________________________________
Book: _____________________________________________________
Choose ONE of the Critical Lens Quotations below to prove true or false by using facts and
support from your summer reading book. In your essay, provide a valid interpretation of the
statement, agree OR disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it, and support your
opinion by referring to the characters, conflicts, and themes from your summer reading book.
Possible Critical Lens Quotations






"Difficulties are things that show what men are."
"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”
“The bravest of individuals is the one who obeys his or her conscience.”
“It is emotion and not reason that motivates people.”
“Good people… are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure.”
“Our envy of others devours us most of all.”
Guidelines:
Be sure to







Provide a valid interpretation of the critical lens that clearly establishes the criteria for
analysis. (Explain what the quote means in your own words.)
Indicate whether you agree OR disagree with the statement as you have interpreted it.
Use your summer reading book to support your opinion.
Avoid plot summaries. Instead, use specific references to appropriate literary
elements or devices (for example: theme, characterization, setting, point of view,
figurative language, etc) to develop your analysis.
Organize your ideas in a unified and coherent manner.
Specify the titles and authors of the literature you choose.
Follow the conventions of standard written English.
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
Choice #3 Critical Lens Essay Rubric
Student Name:
_____________________________________________
Book: _____________________________________________________
Category
Meaning
Development
Organization
4
Provides an
interpretation
of the "critical lens"
that is faithful to the
complexity of the
statement and clearly
establishes the criteria
for analysis; uses the
criteria to make
insightful analysis of
the chosen text
Develops ideas
clearly
and fully, making
effective use of a wide
range of relevant and
specific evidence and
appropriate literary
elements from chosen
text
3
Provides a
reasonable
interpretation of the
"critical lens" that
establishes the
criteria
for analysis; makes
implicit connections
between criteria and
the chosen text
2
Provides a confused
or incomplete
interpretation
of the "critical
lens"; may allude to
the
"critical lens" but
does not use it to
analyze the chosen
text
1
Does not refer to
the
"critical lens";
minimal or no
analysis of the
chosen text
Develops some ideas
more fully than
others,
with reference to
specific and relevant
evidence and
appropriate literary
elements chosen text
No evidence of
development
Maintains the focus
established by the
critical lens; exhibits a
logical and coherent
structure through
skillful use of
appropriate devices
and transitions
Demonstrates control
of
the conventions with
Maintains a clear
and
appropriate focus;
exhibits a logical
sequence of ideas
but
may lack internal
consistency
Demonstrates partial
control, exhibiting
occasional errors
Development is
incomplete or
largely
undeveloped,
hinting at ideas, but
references to the
text are vague,
irrelevant,
repetitive, or
unjustified
Lacks an
appropriate
focus but suggests
some organization,
or suggests a focus
but lacks
organization
Demonstrates a
lack of control,
exhibiting
May be illegible or
not recognizable as
English
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program
Shows no focus or
organization
Conventions
essentially no errors,
even with
sophisticated
language
that do not hinder
comprehension
frequent errors that
make
comprehension
difficult
Broome Street Academy 2014 Summer Reading Program