8th Grade Summer Reading
A Break with Charity Study Guide
Directions: On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions in complete and thoughtful sentences in paragraph format. This study guide will be due the first day of school and will count as a test grade.
1. Explain the role of Tituba in the novel. What 'sacrifice' did she make? Explain how society's view of slaves helped to condemn Tituba. Did she have a choice in what she did?
2. Parents and society often make judgments based on emotion rather than fact. Discuss how the communities emotions and prejudices caused the chaos in the novel. Give specific examples of emotional rather than factual reactions.
3. People, especially young teens, have strong desires to be a part of the
"in-crowd". Explain to what lengths Susanna went to become a part of the crowd. How did her desire to be popular cause destruction in her own family? Could Susanna have stopped what was going on in the town? Why or why not?
4. Dicuss the role of superstition in the novel.
5. It is said that it is harder to do the right thing than to do the wrong thing. Explain how this saying applies to the novel. Who did the right thing and who did the wrong thing and why. If there is a "hero" in this story, who is it and why?
8th Grade Summer Reading
The Boy Who Saved Baseball Study Guide
Directions: On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions in complete and thoughtful sentences in paragraph format. This study guide will be due the first day of school and will count as a test grade.
1. What do you think the title of the book means? Who is "the boy who saved baseball" and how do you know?
2. In baseball lexicon, a substitute or "relief" pitcher may get credit for a win, a loss, or a save. Make an argument supporting the idea that in this book, Tom seems to have done all three. What did Tom win, what did he lose, and what did he save?
3. Tall tales fill this story. What is it about Cody's story concerning Del Gato's electric fence that doesn't make sense? List some other examples of "stretching the truth" found in this novel.
4. In the beginning of the story Tom struggles with feeling confident especially when playing baseball or talking to others. Explain, citing specific examples, how Tom gains confidence. Describe Tom's character at the end of the novel and the events that show he has changed.
5. What do "earthen knowledge" and "star-borne hunch" mean? How do hunches and knowledge contribute to Tom's character? Cruz's character? Del Gato's character? To the outcome of the novel?
8th Grade Summer Reading
Chains Study Guide
Directions: On a separate sheet of paper answer the following questions in complete and thoughtful sentences in paragraph format. This study guide will be due the first day of school and will count as a test grade.
1. Describe the life of slaves in the American colonies in the 1700's. Discuss the difference between a servant and a slave. How did Miss Mary Finch's view of slavery differ from that of most slave owners?
2. Role models can be found in real life and in stories. How are Isabel's momma, and Queen Esther from the Bible, her role models for bravery?
3. Discuss why Curzon thinks Isabel will be a good spy. At what point does she accept his offer? Isabel later feels betrayed by Curzon. Why does she feel this way?
4. Isabel says, "Madam looked down without seeing me; she looked at my face, my kerchief, my shirt neatly tucked into my skirt, looked at my shoes pinching my feet, looked at my hands that were stronger than hers. She did not look into my eyes, did not see the lion inside. She did not see the me of me, the Isabel." What is the lion inside of Isabel? What does Lady Seymore see in Isabel that Madam Lockton doesn't?
5. What does Isabel mean when she says, "I was chained between two nations"? There are several references to chains throughout the novel. How is the word 'chain' used as an antonym for 'freedom'?
5. What does Isabel mean when she says, "I was chained between two nations"? There are several references to chains throughout the novel. How is the word 'chain' used as an antonym for 'freedom'?
You are to answer each of the following questions in
proper essay format on a separate sheet of paper. Be sure to answer ALL portions of each
question. This assignment is due the
first full day of school for a test grade.
Good luck and remember all I have taught you!!( Grammar COUNTS!!!) Have an awesome summer!!
1. Compare and
contrast the Socs and the Greasers.
Which group is portrayed more favorably?
How and why? Do you think these
groups reflect current society? Do you
find the attitudes portrayed in the novel displayed in society today? Where and
how?
2. Discuss the role
of physical violence in the novel. Is
the violence predictable, shocking, melodramatic, boring, etc. Do you think the violence has a different
effect on readers today than it did when the novel was first published? How and why?
Explain the role of violence in society today.
3. Discuss the idea of being an "outsider". - what
does it mean? Who do you think are the
outsiders in the novel? Define yourself
as to being or not being an "outsider". Who do you feel in today's society would be
considered outsiders? Why?see? How does the "lamb" inside of Lady Seymore help the lion inside of Isabel escape?
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