Summer Reading Explained

SAINT URSULA SCHOOL

READING LIST

GRADE 6

	All students entering Grade 6 are required to read the tested book Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson The test on this book will be Monday, September 8th* Mrs. Lorber suggestion - Read Bridge to Terabithia in August. Take notes regarding each character and a description of the character. Write the setting and the key events that happen in the book. Go over this material for the test on the first full day of school - usually the Friday we return!!!
	Students were given their book title for the discussion circles on May 27th. (I have a list of the books assigned for students in 5C if you'd like to email me - sus503@yahoo.com). They need to read the book this summer and be prepared to participate in reading discussion circles during the first full week of school. Be prepared to discuss based on the guidelines given for the written summary. The book may be brought to school for reference. Mrs. Lorber's suggestion read the book assigned for the Reading Circle in July - write notes including main characters, setting, and key events from the story. Follow directions for #3 in the next section. (Students were given their assigned book titles on June 1st. Email me if you need to know the title of the book.
	Summarize one book from Column 1 on looseleaf. Remember to summarize means to discuss only major events and characters, including the ending. Begin the summary with a description of the problem or conflict presented in the novel, and be sure to include the 5 W's (who, when, where, what, why). Use 2 paragraphs in the summary. A paragraph should be 7 - 10 sentences in length. Write on one side of looseleaf only. Do not skip lines. Pages should be stapled. Book reports can also be typed on the computer using 12 point/Times New Roman font. If reports are done on the computer, be sure to double space. This will be collected on Friday, September 5, 2008. (COMPLETE THIS LIKE YOU DID THE WRITTEN SUMMARIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR - see below for a sample of the written summary) Mrs. Lorber's suggestion - Complete the book from Column 1 in June. Follow directions for #2 in the next section.

P.S. The book from column 1 can be borrowed from the library because the report is written at home. I suggest purchasing copies of the reading circle book, and Bridge to Terabithia (5C students have this book)

COLUMN 1

+ Alexander, Lloyd
The High King

Avi
S.O.R. Losers

Gibson, William
The Miracle Worker

+ Lowry, Lois
Number the Stars

O’Dell, Scott
Island of the Dolphins

Ridgers, Mary
Freaky Friday

+ = you may read any book by that author

Some students asked for my sample of the written summaries we did throughout the school year. The following is a copy of the paper the students used this year for their written summaries. I added the problem to the first paragraph and the solution to the problem is included in the second paragraph.

Written Summary:

Write a summary of the little book you read this week. The first paragraph should include the title (underline title), author, setting (when/where), author’s purpose (to entertain, persuade, or inform), main characters and brief description of main characters.

The second paragraph should include a summary of the major plot events told in order from beginning, middle, and end.

Be sure to include the main character’s problem or goal and the solution to the problem or how the story ends.

An example of how to write this summary is below.

The book that I read was Trouble in 5C by Chris Lorber. The story takes place in present time and in a classroom in Parkville, Maryland. The author’s purpose is to entertain. The main characters are Mrs. Lorber, Mr. Noefun, and the 5^th grade students. Mrs. Lorber is a wacky science teacher and her class consists of 29 wacky students. They are full of energy and love to have fun and solve science problems. Mr. Noefun is the president of the school. The problem was that the principal was against laughing in the classroom and the class needed to change his opinion.

Mrs. Lorber and her class enjoyed a great 1^st month of school. They did science projects, told jokes, and snacked whenever possible. Then the president of the school, Mr. Noefun, decided that 5C was having too much fun and made a new rule that there could be no laughing in school. Mrs. Lorber and the students tried to follow the rule and class was really boring. The students’ grades started to drop. Mrs. Lorber invited the president of the school to come to the classroom and observe so he could see how terrible class was without laughter. The class was learning about frogs and how they use their body parts to help them survive. As if on cue the frog started jumping around the room and landed on Mrs. Lorber’s head. The students started laughing and Mr. Noefun began to laugh too. The sight of Mrs. Lorber with frog legs hanging on each side of her face was too much for anyone. The rule was changed and laughing returned the 5^th grade science classes.