**Note: You may open this document by clicking the attached file at the bottom. 

PRE-AP LANGUAGE students will also have activities related to the summer reading during the first six weeks of school.  These books are available for summer reading through the DENISON PUBLIC LIBRARY, or you may purchase a copy from any book store.

This summer your child will be reading and studying Melba Patella Beals’ memoir Warriors Don’t Cry Abridged Edition.  This book describes a controversial event in our country’s civil rights history, integrating a high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. Beals’ memoir of her year at Central High was named an American Library Association Notable Book for 1995 and also won the 1995 Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Book Award. It was included in the Reader’s Digest 1995 edition of Today’s Best Nonfiction.  Discrimination and prejudice are major themes covered in the 8th grade PreAP English classes.  Since this is a historical event, the author has chosen to use the word “nigger” and “Negro” in the book as it was used during this time period. The use of these words will be a part of the classroom discussion along with additional assignments and a project.  

All students must complete two assignments as detailed on the following pages.  The assignments are due the first day of school.  There will be an objective test over the book the first week of school and additional assignments during the first six weeks.  You may print additional copies of this assignment at the B. McDaniel website. Go to DenisonISD›Schools›B. McDaniel Middle School› Homepage›8^th Grade PreAP Summer Reading, or use http://www.denisonisd.net/education/school/school.php?sectionid=3&

Warriors Don’t Cry

Assignments

Assignment 1:  The Flow Map

Using Melba Patillo Beals the main character, create a flow map of major events that demonstrates racists acts and how they impact Melba’s life.  The flow map must contain a minimum of six events.  Underneath each of the event boxes put a sub-box with Melba’s response to the event.  Each major event entry must include documentation (page numbers) and should show depth of thought.  Your events must cover the entire book, so that you include a minimum of two events from the beginning, middle and end of the book. Your work should be in complete sentence form and neat (typed or ink); illegible work will not be graded.

Assignment 2:  Tree Map

On your own paper, use the characters from the list below to create a Tree Map.  Write the name in the first column of the tree map, choose an appropriate character trait (see the attached list) and quote some action or event that supports or illustrates the character trait, and then in the last column paraphrase the quotation. (* See the information on the next page concerning paraphrasing and proper quotation form.) A sample for Melba from chapter one is shown below. Your character trait and memorable event or action must show depth of thought.  You must include page numbers on your tree map to support your information.  Your work should be neat, legible and either typed or written in ink on standard notebook paper. No spiral paper. Illegible work will not be graded.  Turn in your BEST work.  You may download this tree map from the BMcDaniel website given on the first page.

Tree Map Format: You may print this tree map from the B. McDaniel website.

Assignment 1 continued

Sample Character Traits

Sample Inappropriate Character Traits

*USING BOTH PARAPHRASE AND QUOTATIONS

PARAPHRASE

When you paraphrase you say or write something from the story in your own words. 

Original:   “I became increasingly aware of how all of the adults around me” (p 7)

Example:   Melba observed that her family members

DIRECT QUOTATIONS

Direct quotations are any words you directly copy from the work.  It may be dialogue spoken by a character or it may be any part of the narrative. Look for passages that support your character trait.  Many times you will want to quote a part of a sentence. Look for the most effective or strongest words.  Follow the direct quotation with the page number in parentheses where you found the passage.

Example:

“I became increasingly aware of how all of the adults around me were living with constant fear and apprehension.  It felt as though we always had a white foot pressed against the back of our necks, I was feeling more and more vulnerable as I watched them continually struggle to solve the mystery of what white folks expected of them. ” (p 7)

If you omit material in order to be concise, mark the omission with three periods (called an ellipsis) with a space between each (. . .).  You do not need to use these at the beginning and end of your quotations.  It is understood that you are taking passages from a longer work.

Example:

“I became increasingly aware of how all of the adults . . .  were living with constant fear and apprehension.  It felt … white foot pressed against the back of our necks, . . . watched them continually struggle to solve the mystery of what white folks expected of them. ” (p 7)

May 29, 2012

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Your child has enrolled in the 8^th grade Pre-AP Language Arts.  Pre AP is designed to move at an accelerated rate and to delve more deeply into literature and writing.  Students who sign up for Pre AP Language Arts should be self-motivated, responsible for their own learning and enjoy reading and writing.  The students will be expected to read material outside of the class room and be prepared to participate in class room activities over the reading.  The Pre AP teachers strive to prepare the students for success in the high school Pre-AP English classes.

Pre AP ELA students going into the 8^th grade are expected to complete a summer reading and to turn in two assignments the first day of school in August.  Attached to this letter is a packet covering the summer reading and the assignments. 

On the back of this letter is a copy of the Pre-AP Contract for 8^th grade Pre-AP ELA.  Please take the time to read and consider the standards required for Pre-AP placement.  Your signature is proof of acceptance and knowledge of the Pre AP expectations and the summer reading assignment.

A separate copy of this letter and contract are being sent with this packet.  Please sign

The B.McDaniel form copy. The 7^th grade ELA teachers will be happy to turn them in the office for you if you return this before school is out. Otherwise it will be your responsibility to turn this in to the office by the due date.

The B. McDaniel Contract form must be returned to the B.McDaniel office by  _______________to ensure that the student is enrolled in PreAP 8^th grade ELA.

Sincerely,

____________________________

Pre-Advanced Placement Contract For 8^th Grade Pre-AP ELA

Parent/Student Copy

As a student enrolled in the Pre-AP program I pledge to meet the standards listed below:

• Maintain a higher standard in my Pre-AP classes.

• Be self-motivated and an active learner. Students should expect to spend more time with home work for a Pre-AP class.

• Exhibit good citizenship and behavior.

• Complete all assignments, including course work such as projects which need to be completed outside of the classroom on time.

• Strive to maintain a six week grade of 80 or above.

• Meet with Pre-AP teachers before a scheduled absence to prepare in advance for work to be missed. This includes all absences resulting from doctor's appointments, family trips, or extra- curricular activities.

Failure to meet the standards listed above in a Pre-AP class will be reason for removal from the

Pre-AP class and enrollment into a non Pre-AP class in the same content area(s).

• I understand that I will be placed on probation if I receive a grade below 75 during a six week period. If I receive a grade below 75 again the following six weeks, a conference will be scheduled to discuss continued placement in Pre-AP.

• A conference will be scheduled to discuss continued placement in Pre-AP class after any six week grade in which I received a grade below a 70.

• One late paper/assignment with a 30% deduction in grade will be allowed per six weeks. This paper/assignment is due the next school day.  Additional late papers will be expected to be completed and turned in but will receive a zero in the grade book.

• It is expected that all assignments meet a 70% or higher criteria.  Incomplete or careless work may be returned to the student to complete in a more sufficient manner.  This could result in a late paper if not sufficiently completed on time.

• Misbehavior or poor citizenship will result in consequences from the instructor or admin- istration. A conference will be scheduled to remove the student from the Pre-AP class.

• Absent work is due in a timely manner as stated in the student handbook.

•  

My signature is proof of my knowledge and acceptance of the Contract expectations for PreAP ELA as stated above and knowledge of the summer reading assignments.

This form is a copy for your records.  Remember that the school form must be returned to the B.McDaniel office by  _______________to ensure that the student is enrolled in PreAP 8^th grade ELA.

Pre-Advanced Placement Contract For 8th Grade Pre-AP ELA

B. McDaniel Middle School ELA Department Copy

As a student enrolled in the Pre-AP program I pledge to meet the standards listed below:

• Maintain a higher standard in my Pre-AP classes.

• Be self-motivated and an active learner. Students should expect to spend more time with home work for a Pre-AP class.

• Exhibit good citizenship and behavior.

• Complete all assignments, including course work such as projects which need to be completed outside of the classroom on time.

• Strive to maintain a six week grade of 80 or above.

• Meet with Pre-AP teachers before a scheduled absence to prepare in advance for work to be missed. This includes all absences resulting from doctor's appointments, family trips, or extra- curricular activities.

Failure to meet the standards listed above in a Pre-AP class will be reason for removal from the

Pre-AP class and enrollment into a non Pre-AP class in the same content area(s).

• I understand that I will be placed on probation if I receive a grade below 75 during a six week period. If I receive a grade below 75 again the following six weeks, a conference will be scheduled to discuss continued placement in Pre-AP.

• A conference will be scheduled to discuss continued placement in Pre-AP class after any six week grade in which I received a grade below a 70.

• One late paper/assignment with a 30% deduction in grade will be allowed per six weeks. This paper/assignment is due the next school day.  Additional late papers will be expected to be completed and turned in but will receive a zero in the grade book.

• It is expected that all assignments meet a 70% or higher criteria.  Incomplete or careless work may be returned to the student to complete in a more sufficient manner.  This could result in a late paper if not sufficiently completed on time.

• Misbehavior or poor citizenship will result in consequences from the instructor or admin- istration. A conference will be scheduled to remove the student from the Pre-AP class.

• Absent work is due in a timely manner as stated in the student handbook.

My signature is proof of my knowledge and acceptance of the Contract expectations for PreAP ELA as stated above and knowledge of the summer reading assignments.

This form must signed and returned to the B.McDaniel office by  _______________to ensure that the student is enrolled in PreAP ELA.

_______________________________   ____________________________________     ___________

Student Signature Parent or Guardian Signature Date

Coming Soon!