2015-2016 8th grade outside reading
DESCRIPTION
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1
Outside Reading Projects:
1. EACH NOVEL: Twitter Review (see pg 3)
2. CHOOSE ONE NOVEL: design a commercial (see pg 4)
3. EACH SEMESTER: TBD In-class assignment (written
response, literature circle discussion, etc.)
8th Grade Outside Reading Overview The main idea is that you need to always have (at
least) a book you are reading on your own outside of class. What you must understand above all, however, is that reading is a very important part of this class and my evaluation of your work as a student.
Why do we have Outside Reading?
The philosophy behind the outside reading requirement is quite simple:
The more you read, the more you know.
Reading is fun, especially if you choose what you read.
The more you read, the better your vocabulary, the higher your test scores, the better you think in all your classes and situations.
You need to choose your own books whenever possible, guided only by your interests and needs at the time.
It is okay to abandon a book if it is dull or too difficult and get another one—just talk to me first.
If you love to read you will never be bored!
Guidelines You must read 900 pages if you are in English 8
and 1,200 pages if you are in Honors. This will likely add up to 3-6 books—depending on the length. Half will be due December 10, and the remainder will be due May 2/3.
Books you will read later at SFC do not count nor do books you have already read.
You must always have a book you are reading outside of class.
I expect you to always have your book with you at school.
Do not save your outside reading until the due date.
You must write a Twitter Review for each book completed, and you will create a commercial for ONE book
There will be quarterly check-ins, in which you will complete a task.
They must be books appropriate to your age, interests, and ability.
Parent permission is required.
2
Book Ideas This list below does not even scrape the surface as to the authors you can choose. Go to
http://www.teenreads.com/authors/index.asp for more ideas. Please note that not all of the books on this site are
recommended for your outside reading project—but it is merely a resource to get you started. Also, go to your
public library and go to the “young adult” section (there is a public library at Earl Warren—right down the
street—it has an awesome young adult section!!!)
Choose your book by ______________ and have your parent sign the release form below.
Some ideas:
Austen, Jane. Any Book
Bradbury, Ray.
Bronte, Emily. Any Book
Christie, Agatha. And then there were none
Dickins, Charles
Funke, Cornelia.
Kadohoata, Cynthia.
Kipling, Rudyard.
*Lewis, C.S. Any Book.
L’Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time
London, Jack.
Lowry, Lois. Any book but The Giver.
Patterson, James.
Paulson, Gary. My Life in Dog Years.
Peck, Richard.
Peck, Robert. A Day No Pigs Would Die.
Rang, Ayn.
Rawls, Wilson. Where the Red Fern Grows
*Rivers, Francine. Redeeming Love & others
Sacher, Louis.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation, Chew on This
Speare, Elizabeth George.
Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl, other books
Tolkein, J.R.R. The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings series
Twain, Mark. Adventures of Tom Sawyer*no honors
Verne, Jules. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,
Around the World in Eighty Days,
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Wells, Herbert George.
Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief, I am The Messenger,
*Books by Christian authors are encouraged
Permission Slip I, ____________________________________ give my child, ___________________________ Parent name child’s name
permission to read __________________________________________________________ and title of first book
__________________________ and __________________ by ___________________________. title of second book* title of third book (optional) author of books I understand that if my child chooses to switch books, I will email Mrs. Burkholder to let her know that I have approved this change. ____________________________________ ______________________________ Signature of parent Date
*How many pages do ALL books add up to? ______ Is this less than the required amount? (circle one) YES NO
3
Twitter Book Reviews
Challenge yourself to write a book review in 140 characters (that includes spaces). Don't forget to hashtag the title and author (as well as any other hashtags you would like to create).This is a useful link that will count characters for you
http://www.webworldindex.com/countcharacters.htm See Mrs. B’s examples below:
Epic battle with fish leaves Christ-like figure bleeding 55
and exhausted. Rich in biblical allusion
Submit your Twitter Reviews when you finish each book
via Mrs. B's website
(under the "Outside Reading" section)
Epic sea journey to the ends of the earth to save Narnia. Dragons, battles,
kidnapping, illusion, spells, etc. Rich in biblical allusion. (138 characters)
#TheVoyageoftheDawnTreader #CSLewis
Dystopian world. Oppressive leader force teens to battle to death.Even still, love is
confusing for strong teen girl while trying to survive (140 characters)
#TheHungerGames #SuzanneCollins
4
Commercial Project
Once this year you will design a
commercial/advertisement for a novel of your
choice. It must be a book you ENJOYED! The
purpose of this is to share book ideas with your
peers and encourage your classmates to read a
book you enjoyed.
You can create a video using iMovie iMotion,
Movie Maker, etc.
or
You can design a presentation using Prezi or
Google Slides
Notes/Questions/ Ideas:
Sign-up sheet is on the board above the Student
Supplies shelf.
My date is: ___________
Project
Requirements
2-3 minutes long
Should include:
Hook, title,
narration or text,
images & music,
credits page.
Must include
major plot
elements,
characters, etc.
DO NOT give
away the
ENDING!
Show creativity
and effort
Ultimately, make
people WANT to
read the book
Must be shared
with me/emailed
to me prior to
class the day you
present.
5
Book Title Author Pages Student
Initial
Parent Signature
Title of book: Theme(s):
Title of book: Theme(s):
Title of book: Theme(s):
Total
Pages
A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F
English
8 450+ 425 400 375 350 325 300 275 250 225 <200
Honors 600+ 575 550 525 500 475 450 425 400 375 <350
*Before turning in, check the following list: I recorded the pages I read. I have a parent signature. I wrote a précis for each book I read. I have been honest in my recording.
Outside Reading Log Semester 1
Have you submitted a
Twitter Review for each
book????!!!!!
6
A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F
English
8 450+ 425 400 375 350 325 300 275 250 225 <200
Honors 600+ 575 550 525 500 475 450 425 400 375 <350
Book Title Author Pages Student
Initial
Parent Signature
Title of book: Theme(s):
Title of book: Theme(s):
Title of book: Theme(s):
Total
Pages
*Before turning in, check the following list: I recorded the pages I read. I have a parent signature. I wrote a précis for each book I read. I have been honest in my recording.
Outside Reading Log Semester 2
Have you submitted a
Twitter Review for each
book????!!!!!