Charter Middle School for Applied Technologies
24 Shoshone Street • Buffalo, N.Y. 14214 • (716) 710-3065 • (716) 862-3912 Fax • www.csat-k12.org
Mr. J. Efrain Martinez, Superintendent Mr. Brandon Pafk, Principal - CMSAT Mrs. Nadine Williamson - CMSAT June 1, 2015 Dear Parents/Guardians, The 2014 – 2015 school year has gone very smoothly, and we cannot thank you enough for your support in this endeavour. The transitioning of grades 6 – 8 to the new middle school location at 24 Shoshone Street has been a success. We are hopeful that the 2015 – 2016 school year will bring us even more success! With the current school year coming to a close, we want to focus your attention on the required summer reading project for all CMSAT students. The summer reading program is just one way to keep students engaged during the summer months, in between school years. Each student will be given a summer reading assignment packet before the end of the school year. They are to borrow a book from the local library or purchase a copy of one of the books listed and use it to complete the summer reading assignment. The completed assignment will be turned into your child’s reading teacher (for grade 6 students) or ELA teacher (for grades 7 & 8 students) on or before August 28, 2015. The project will be your child’s first grade in quarter one. In addition to completing the required summer reading project, your child may choose to complete a bonus project as well. The optional bonus project should be turned into your child’s reading teacher (for grade 6 students) or ELA teacher (for grades 7 & 8 students) on or before August 28, 2015. Any student who completes and turns in their bonus project will receive a surprise incentive. In addition to the bonus option, we will have other fun surprises taking place throughout the summer. Visit our school webpage at www.csat-k12.org to learn about reading activities over the summer. If you are in need of further information please contact the main office at (716) 710-3065. Have a super summer and keep reading! Sincerely, Brandon Pafk Principal, CMSAT
Summer Reading Books 7th Grade
Book Summary The Isle Lost
By Melissa De La Cruz
Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost--a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. Stripped of their magical powers, the villains now live in total isolation, forgotten by the world.
Mal learns from her mother, Maleficent, that the key to true darkness, the Dragon's Eye, is located inside her scepter in the forbidden fortress on the far side of the island. The eye is cursed, and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She'll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the Dragon's Eye, these four kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain't so bad.
Wonder
By R.J. Palacio
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy ,compassion, and acceptance. "Wonder is the best kids' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.
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Out Of My Mind By Sharon M. Draper
Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but
she has a photographic memory; e can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom—the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged, because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow.
The Crossover By Kwame Alexander
Twins Josh and Jordan are junior high basketball stars, thanks in large part to the coaching of their dad, a former professional baller who was forced to quit playing for health reasons, and the firm, but loving support of their assistant-principal mom. Josh, better known as Filthy McNasty, earned his nickname for his enviable skills on the court: "…when Filthy gets hot/He has a SLAMMERIFIC SHOT." In this novel in verse, the brothers begin moving apart from each other for the first time. Jordan starts dating the "pulchritudinous" Miss Sweet Tea, and Josh has a tough time keeping his jealousy and feelings of abandonment in control. Alexander's poems vary from the pulsing, aggressive beats of a basketball game to the more introspective musings of a child struggling into adolescence. Despite his immaturity, Josh is a likable, funny, and authentic character. Underscoring the sports and the fraternal tension is a portrait of a family that truly loves and supports one another. Alexander has crafted a story that vibrates with energy and heart.
CREATIVITY BONUS You will have an opportunity to receive extra credit! If
you read an additional book of your own choosing or that is on the book list, you can complete one of the following assignments and
receive extra credit for ELA!
Option #1: Create a Movie Poster! If your novel were turned into a movie, what would it look like? Who would play the main
characters? Make sure it models an “authentic” poster.
Option #2: Comic Strip: Create a comic strip of a main scene in your novel. Make sure it is complete with captions so it is clear as
to what is going on and why it is important.
Option #3: Alternative Ending: If you could, how would you change the ending of your novel? Write at least a one-page
alternative ending to your book. What would be different? Be very specific.
Remember, this is BONUS! It is to be done in addition to the required reading assignment!
Summarizing Your Book 7th & 8th Grade
When you tell someone about your day, you include the important people, places, and events but leave out the little details. Similarly, a summary of a story is a brief retelling. It includes only the main characters, setting,
conflict, and important events.
When reading a story, you might have personal opinions, or feelings, about it. You might also make judgments about the story – whether it’s believable, well-‐written, and so on. Although it’s fine to have opinions and make judgments, don’t include them in a summary. A summary is supposed to be objective, or tell only the
facts.
Directions: Complete the graphic organizer as you read your book. If you are familiar with the five stages of plot, you can use them, or you can use the beginning, middle, and end column to guide your work.
Plot Notes
Beginning
Exposition Introduces the setting and the characters Sets up or hints at the conflict (problem)
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Middle
Rising Action Shows how the conflict becomes more difficult Builds suspense
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Climax Is the most exciting part and a turning point
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Falling Action Eases the tension Shows how the main character resolves the conflict
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End Resolution Reveals how everything turns out Sometimes ends with a surprise twist
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Main Character
What makes the characters in a story seem real? It’s all in the details. Authors can describe the characters’
attitudes, or how they think, act, and feel. They can also describe the characters’ motivations, or the reasons for their actions. Often, a character’s attitude and motivation change during a story. As the story unfolds, readers learn more about a character based on how that person responds to events.
Directions: Complete the graphic organizer as you read to show how your character changes throughout the book.
Beginning of Book
What the Main Character Does
Why He/She Does It What This Shows About Him/Her
Example: Benny takes an ice cream cone from Lisa.
Example: He might think it is funny.
Example: He is not always kind; he likes to play jokes.
Middle of Book
What the Main Character Does
Why He/She Does It What This Shows About Him/Her
End of Book
What the Main Character Does
Why He/She Does It What This Shows About Him/Her
Name of Main Character: _____________________________________________
childhood courage death faith family freedom friendship self-‐reliance
success growing up hate hope identity independence justice
love trust
truth loyalty nature patience patriotism prejudice race relations
self-‐improvement unhappiness violence war
Determining Theme
“Winning isn’t everything.” “Follow your heart.” You’ve probably learned lessons like these at one time or
another. Your own experience is usually the best teacher, but literature can also communicate important truths, or themes. A theme is a message about life or human nature that a writer wants readers to understand.
To determine a theme in your book, you must first decide on a topic. A topic is one or two words that sum
up what the book is about.
Directions: Circle the topics that are related to your book.
Common Topics Found in Books
Directions: Select two topics from the box and name a theme that relates to each. If you choose the topic of friendship, for example, you might use the theme, “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” Using specific details
from the text, explain how your book teaches these themes.
Topic Theme Details From Book
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*Use at least four sentences.
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*Use at least four sentences.
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Paragraph #1
Be sure to … • include the title and author • use details from the graphic organizer, Summarize Your Book • use any relevant details from your book • include at least 10 sentences
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Summarize your book.
Paragraph #2
Be sure to … • include the name of the main character • provide details from the beginning, middle, and end of the book • use details from the graphic organizer, Main Character • include at least 10 sentences
Describe how the main character changes throughout the book.
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Paragraph #3
Be sure to … • name the theme • explain how the book teaches this theme • use details from the graphic organizer, Determining Theme • use any relevant details from your book • include at least 10 sentences
Explain a theme that is taught through your book.
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