8th ELA Intensive Summer Project
Mrs. Grumbles Mr. Robbins
You will need to select one novel from the following 8th Grade reading list:
The Dangerous Days of Daniel X - James Patterson Or Give me Death – Ann Rinaldi
The Cay – Theodore Taylor Just Jane – William Lavender
The Master Puppeteer - Katherine Patterson Give Me Liberty – Laura Elliot
Stargirl – Jerry Spinelli Hope’s Crossing – Joan Goodman
Dr. Jekyll, and Mr. Hyde – Robert L. Stevenson The Year of the Hangman – Gary Blackwood
Journey to the Center of the Earth – Jules Verne Frankenstein – Mary Shelley
Rumble Fish – S.E. Hinton
Novel “One-Pager”
This is a ONE PAGE project. The requirements are as listed:
- Heading: Your full name and incoming grade should be listed on the front of the page.
- Title of the novel and the author should appear prominently on the front of the page.
- Summary: Briefly (in approximately 200 words) summarize in sequence what you’ve read. This should convey the gist, main conflict, and highlights of the reading. Avoid too many details! It should not be the blurb from the back of the novel nor a book report; it needs to be a true summary.
- Visual Image: What visual images were created in your mind as you read? Place this image somewhere on the page. This image can be of something that is discussed specifically in the reading, something that the reading reminded you of, or a picture that conveys any idea or feeling you got from the reading. Any sort drawing, painting, or graphic representation is acceptable. In other words, show me what you imagined; don’t tell me.
- Vocabulary: Identify and define 10 words or terms that were puzzling or unfamiliar to you. Give the word, page number, and definition for these words. Be sure the definition properly defines the word as it is used in your book. If you can’t locate 10 words that you find puzzling, then find a more difficult book.
- Connections: What connections can you make between what you read and the world outside of the story? There may be a connection to happenings at school, the community or the world, to similar events at other times or places, to other people or problems that you are reminded of, or to other / books that you have read. In complete sentences, write three insightful, descriptive connections between you and the reading.
- Presentation (how your project looks): Use one piece of standard size 8.5” x 11” (letter) unlined paper. This will allow you to be unrestricted by lines, so that you can write sideways, at an angle, upside down, vertically, horizontally, etc. (Avoid circles). You may use both sides of the one piece of paper. Feel free to use colored pens / pencils – the more visually appealing the better! But, BE NEAT! I must be able to read whatever you write. If you have sloppy or illegible handwriting, please type. I cannot give you any points if I cannot read it.