Summer Reading 2013

Hello 8th Graders!

I am so excited to start our Summer Reading!  This summer there are wonderful opportunities to read some amazing books!  Remember to select 3 books and then choose a Summer Reading Project for each of the books you have selected (one due at the end of each month).  These are your Summer 2013 choices:

Have fun with the books and the projects 8^th graders! We are so blessed to be given the opportunity to not only read freely, but also for those of you who complete the projects, to go on a fun and awesome field trip! 

Have a great summer and enjoy reading!

~Miss Beltran

Summer Reading Projects

Fairy-Tale Ending: Have you ever wanted to change the way a story ended? Well, here is your chance! Re-write the last chapter in the story, and make it your own! Give the story the ending you think it should have. Don’t be afraid to mix it up! (1-2 pages maximum)

Dinner is served: Imagine you are invited to dine with a character in your book. List 5 – 10 questions that you might ask them during your visit, and imagine what their response might be. Also think about your surroundings: Where are you? What is being served? Who else might be there? Try to ask questions that people really want to know

Where in the world? Create a detailed map of where your story takes place. Show with words or symbols where important events occurred. Be sure to use plenty of detail in your artwork and description! (Maps can be three-dimensional as well. Paper maché is a wonderful resource. Get creative with it!)

Scrapbook it! Create a scrapbook based on information you have learned from the story. Be sure to write captions for each entry/page as to what is being included n the page and why. You can add items mentioned throughout the story, or create something new by including items that you think the characters might have used or collected. (5-10 illustrated pages, each with at least one caption)

Dear Diary: Create 5 journal entries from one of the main characters in the story. Be sure to include key events in these entries to give us an understanding of when they might have been written. Give plenty of detail! Be sure to write one entry from the beginning of the novel, and one from the end. (Each entry should be no less than one paragraph, no more than one page)

Lights, Camera, Action! Create a movie poster promoting the novel as a popular, new movie. You can cast real actors as the main characters, or use people you know. Make sure your poster reflects the time period from which the story takes place, and be sure to show costumes and background detail!

Shadowbox Showcase: Create a shadowbox that shows one of your favorite scenes from your novel. Be sure that it can sit vertically, so that it can hang on the wall. Imagine that you are capturing a little piece of that moment in the story with your artwork. Be expressive!

Some of my favorite things: Create a poster of ten of your favorite things about your novel. Be sure to give a description of each item, and illustrate each caption with either drawings or make a collage. Be sure to explain why they are your favorite!

Remember when… Create a poster of a timeline and show the main events of the story. Choose at least five main events out of your timeline to illustrate on your poster. You can illustrate them by either drawing or making separate collages.

Wanted! Create a wanted poster for either the villain or hero in your story. Explain who they are and what have done that makes them wanted by the law. Also give a one-page description of who they are and what they contributed to during the story.

Comic Quest: Create a comic book based on the main events of the novel. Be sure to include chapter headings and page numbers. Each illustrated page will need to have captions explaining what is happening in the picture. (5-10 pages)

On the Cover: Create a book jacket for your novel. Illustrate the front cover by either drawings or a collage. Be sure to include your favorite quote on the cover, and write a summary and review for the story. Try to capture the heart of what your novel is about in your artwork! (Going the extra mile: Research the author of your novel and write a short biography about them on the inside)