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June, 2011
Dear Parents,
It is important that over the summer students continue to exercise and maintain already-acquired reading skills, as well as develop further their abilities to think critically, use their imagination, and strive to expand their speaking, reading, and writing vocabularies.
In an effort to guide students toward the achievement and mastery of these and other skills needed for competency in reading in middle school, high school, and beyond, the following book, which was selected from the archdiocesan reading list, will be required summer reading for all St. John the Evangelist students entering the eighth grade in the fall of 2011:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Each student must have his or her own copy of the book. Students are encouraged to keep a log or journal in which they should record key events regarding plot development, characters, and new vocabulary. This log will be helpful to the students in reviewing the story prior to testing. This will constitute a major test grade in literature for the first marking period of grade eight.
I appreciate your cooperation in providing your child with this book and making certain that the required reading is done. [I recommend that the movie not be watched as the test and discussion questions are based solely on the book and not the movie.] I feel confident that your efforts and those of your student will contribute much toward making the summer reading program an enjoyable and beneficial experience for all concerned.
Mrs. Sharon Meloni
