Summer Academics

We want students to read as much as possible over the summer!

1. Required Reading and Writing: Each grade level will have 1-2 required texts. In school, we will discuss the required reading titles for each upcoming grade level. The common book(s) for each grade level provide a foundation of shared experience, serving as a powerful way to build a sense of community through conversation. Use the tabs above for specific information for each grade level.

We will also be asking students to write responses to prompts provided for the books. Doing this over the summer allows them to reflect on the book(s) while it/they are still fresh in their minds and it gives teachers an opportunity to evaluate students’ writing at the start of the year. Studies show that writing helps people to remember things longer and better. Responses should be the students’ own work and students should not utilize any AI tools.

2. Optional but Encouraged: Additionally, we have a faculty-sponsored book club opportunity this summer for upper school students. Check here for more information. We highly encourage all students to pick one of the book club books and to read at least two other additional books of their choice. We recommend that you take a look at the Pike Library padlets for recommended titles for grades 5-6 and grades 7-9.

 

 

Required Reading Text: Half A Chance by Cynthia Lord

Optional Book Club Opportunity

Two additional encouraged texts, possibly from here.

Writing Prompt

Students will receive a hard-copy writing journal with these prompts glued inside:

 

 

 

Required Reading Text: The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat

Optional Book Club Opportunity 

Two Additional Encouraged Texts, possibly from here: https://www.pikeschool.org/academics/library/summerreads2020. 

Writing Prompt: 

Students will receive a hard-copy writing journal with these prompts glued inside:

 

Required Reading Texts: 

• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me About Life, Death, and Hope by Jarrett Krosoczka

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Optional Book Club Opportunity.

Two Additional Encouraged Texts, possibly from here.

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Writing Prompt:

Respond to the following prompt like it’s a journal entry. No need for a formal essay. Once completed, please email your response to Mr. Hanlon and Mrs. Camuso.

1. What does it mean to belong? 
2. What are some communities to which you belong? 
3. Describe a moment when you felt like you didn’t belong or were an “outsider.”
4. In The Outsiders and in Sunshine, what does belonging look and feel like for the characters? How do you know?

Required Reading Texts: 

• Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Story of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution by Judith Heumann with Kristen Joiner
• Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team by Steve Sheinkin

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Optional Book Club Opportunity.

Two Additional Encouraged Texts, possibly from here.

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Writing Prompt: 

Respond to the following prompt like it’s a journal entry. No need for a formal essay. Once completed, please email your response to Mr. Hanlon and Mrs. Camuso.

1. How did Heumann’s and Thorpe’s upbringings shape their choices and decision-making processes over the course of their lives? For example, what values and/or skills did their families and/or communities instill in them? 
2. Who have been the influential figures in your life—caregivers, teachers, mentors, friends, coaches, teammates, and/or religious leaders? Describe the skills, habits or lessons you have learned from those individuals.

Required Reading Texts:

• Turning 15 on the Road to Freedom: My Story of the 1965 Selma Voting Rights March by Lynda Blackmon Lowry
• Just Mercy (Adapted for Young People): A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson

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Optional Book Club Opportunity.

Two Additional Encouraged Texts, possibly from here.

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Writing Prompt:

Respond to the following prompt like it’s a journal entry. No need for a formal essay. Once completed, please email your response to Mr. Hanlon.

Please note that Question 1 does not require you to specifically highlight ideas/events from the two books you read, although you are free to do so.

1. What do you think it means to be “American”? How is it created or defined? Does it change over time? If so, how? If not, why not?
2. Describe similar and different approaches taken by Lowery and Stevenson in attempting to bring about change they feel is necessary in American society. 
3. After finishing Just Mercy, describe the significance of the below quotation in driving the work Stevenson engages in.

“My work has taught me a vital lesson: Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done. I am persuaded that the opposite of poverty is not wealth; the opposite of poverty is justice. Finally, I’ve come to believe that the true measure of our commitment to justice, fairness, and equality cannot be measured by how we treat the rich, the respected, the privileged among us. The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned” (Stevenson, 17-18).