Seventh Grade
Gail Cecere 7thgrade@4sttherese.org
7th Grade Summer Reading
Please select TWO of the following books. For each book select one question to answer. Each response should be at least four full paragraphs. You must strongly support your answers with details from the books.
The Giver by Lois Lowry
After Jonas receives some memories, he makes choices that greatly affect his life, as well as his family and the rest of the people in the community. Describe the choices he made. Would you have made the same choices as Jonas? Why or why not? If Jonas had come to you for advice what would you have told him? Write a letter convincing Jonas not to leave the community. Use specific details from the story to support your argument. Choose several important days at strategic points throughout the book. Write diary entries that Jonas might have written if he had kept a diary.
The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery
Saint-Exupéry wrote The Little Prince in New York as World War II raged in Europe, and after his homeland had been captured by the Nazis. Are there any symbols in the novel that represent war and exile? Metaphors are present throughout The Little Prince. Find at least four metaphors and explain their meaning. Why do you think Saint-Exupéry choose to tell this story in such figurative language? When the Narrator and the Prince search for a well, the Narrator appears finally to understand the lessons that the Prince has related to him. What does this say about the morals of the novel?Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Do you think Mother Paula's All-American Pancake Houses, Inc. had the right to build its restaurant on the property? Explain your answer using specific details from the novel. Mrs. Eberhardt tells Roy, "Honey, sometimes you're going to be faced with situations where the line isn't clear between what's right and what's wrong. Your heart will tell you to do one thing, and your brain will tell you to do something different. In the end, all that's left is to look at both sides and go with your best judgment." Discuss at least two incidents where Roy's head tells him one thing, and his heart another. Do you agree with the choices Roy makes? Why or why not? Why does Beatrice feel a need to shield her stepbrother? Discuss whether there is a correlation between Mullet Fingers' family life and his desire to save the owls.
Tangerine by Edward Bloor
Throughout the novel there is an emphasis on appearances - that if things look good from the outside, then everything will be okay. What do you think about that idea? Where do you see it in the book? Although Paul is legally blind he is able to see past stereotypes and into people's hearts. How was he able to do this? What did he see that others did not? How can this concept apply to your own life? The volunteer firefighter says, "Muck fires don't go out. They're burning all the time.... Sometimes the rain'll damp them down, but they're still smoldering." What is Paul's muck fire that is always burning? What are the muck fires for Paul's parents, for Erik, for Antoine Thomas? At the end of the book, the wind has shifted and the odor and smoke from the muck fire is blowing away from Paul. Is that symbolic of what has happened in Paul's life?Little Women by Luisa May Alcott
Research the author Luisa May Alcott. What aspects of her actual life are evident in the story? What character do you think she most closely based on herself? Make sure you support your answer with strong details from the story. Research the roles of women during the Civil War era. In what ways do the March girls conform to these roles and in what ways do they rebel? Although Father is absent for most of the novel, his presence is felt in every scene. What influence does he have on the family? What does this say about the role of men in the Civil War era? Why do you think Little Women has endured in popularity for more than one hundred years? Could you personally relate to any of the characters? What lessons can modern readers learn from the book that would help them to live better lives?
Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
1. Sometimes it is said that everyone we know is a teacher to us in some way. While you have met Anne Frank only through her diary, you were able to know her more intimately than we are usually able to know a person. With what you know, how has Anne Frank been a teacher to the world? What is the most important thing she has taught you, and why is it important?
2. Anne says that the final forming of a person's character is up to that person. Do you agree? Did the circumstances the Franks faced impact Anne's character or did she controll it?
3. Anne said, "In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart." What was happing in the world during the time that Anne said this quote that makes it so remarkable? What does it tell us about Anne's character?
The Guns of Easter by Gerard Whelan
Private Jimmy Martin writes to his family, describing the day's events and telling of his meeting with Jimmy Conway. Write this letter using specific details from the story. Discuss the ways Jimmy changes throughout the novel. By the end of the novel do you feel he is more mature? What people and events influenced these changes in him? How are Jimmy's loyalties divided? How does the stress of this divide influence his actions in the story? If you could offer Jimmy advice what would you tell him?
Supply List 2010-2011
Supplies needed for the first day of class:
Zippered pouch for holding pens and pencils
#2 pencils (required for math class)
Blue or black pens
Red pens for corrections
Colored pencils and markers to keep in locker
Sturdy tote-bag or reusable grocery shopping bag for carrying books from room to room.
Scissors
12" ruler (customary and metric markings)
Glue stick(s)
Highlighter(s)
Math notebook* (at least 70-100 pages - replace when full)
Science notebook* (70-100 pages adequate)
Social Studies notebook* (at least 200 pages)
Religion notebook* (at least 200 pages)
4 marble composition notebooks* (labeled "Spelling," "Language Arts," "Vocabulary," and "Reading")
Spanish notebook* (70 pages adequate)
An accordion-pleated poly folder (labeled "Language Arts," "Reading," "Social Studies," "Religion," "Spanish," and "Science," and "Home") OR 7 separate folders with labels. (first option seems to work best)
Loose leaf paper (for Mrs. Basler's class)
Binder 3-hole punch (portable punch that fits in 3-ring binder)
Optional, white-out tape (no liquid allowed)
5 twin-pocket portfolios with fasteners (for Mrs. Basler's class)
1 pack of index cards in zip-lock bag or index card holder
Sticky notes
"Book Socks" or brown-bag covering for textbooks (all hard-cover textbooks must be covered)
3 boxes of facial tissue (brought to homeroom first day)
2 boxes or refill packages of wet wipes (brought to homeroom first day)
Combination lock for locker (no keys) Please memorize combination prior to the first day of school.
*Please make certain student's name is in all textbooks, workbooks, notebooks, and personal items.