Dear Student,

In just a few months, you’ll be walking into school and preparing to start your last year of middle school. As you know, you have been selected for an Advanced Language Arts/Reading class. In order to prepare for this class, please complete the following activities over the summer.

Checklist

____________            1. All students will be required to read The Outsiders (4.7 RL; 7 pts.) by S.E. Hinton and write an essay and complete the writing activity on the next page. Please follow the    directions. The essay and writing activity are due on the first day of school, August 9^th. Additionally, you will need to come in and take the AR quiz over this novel. The media center is open on MOST Wednesdays (June 12, June 26, July 10, and July 31) from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and (June 19, and July 17) from 9:00-10:00 a.m. You must take this quiz prior to the start of school.

____________            2. Choose one of the essay topics below and write a well-organized essay. Be sure to use examples from The Outsiders to support your ideas/points.

• • • • • E. Hinton never uses the word “outsider” in her novel, yet it is the title of the book. Maybe she wants us to ponder whom the “outsiders” are. Write an essay in which you explain whom she many have meant by The Outsiders. Be sure to define what you mean by an outsider, and then explain whom you think Ms. Hinton meant. Be sure to use extensive examples from the novel to back up what you say.
        • Ponyboy’s experiences of that week were obviously unforgettable. Write an about an unforgettable experience in your own life. It doesn’t have to be a bad experience; it could be a happy one or one where you learn a lesson the hard way. You could also focus on a situation you faced, such as a challenge or a dilemma. Whatever you choose, make sure that the subject is significant to you, and then show the reader this significance and what you might have learned.
        • Write an essay explaining why you believe each of the Greasers – Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally – would be considered a hero. Include your own definition of hero in the essay, and be sure to explain how each character, in his own way, meets your definition. Remember to support your ideas with examples.
        • Write an essay explaining which gang was more of a disgrace and a menace to society than the other. Look at how society viewed and treated the two groups. Examine the characteristics of each group, its actions, and the choices the members made. Be sure to support your ideas with examples from the novel.
        • Are you a Soc or a Greaser? Why? What are the differences? Examine the characteristics of each group, its actions, and the choices the members made. Use specific examples from The Outsiders.

_____________          3. Select one Young Hoosier Book (YHB) to read. It should be one that you have not read previously. Once you have finished reading it, come in and take the AR quiz over it.                                               There is NO writing assignment over the YHB.

The Bookshelf will have copies of The Outsiders for you to purchase, or you can check out a copy from the public library or our library. The Batesville Memorial Public Library will also have copies of the Young Hoosier Books.

Reading is a life-long skill. We hope that you will enjoy reading these and other pieces over the summer. Don’t forget to take advantage of the Summer Reading Program at the Batesville Memorial Public Library. Also, consider the BMS Summer Reading Program.

If you are not interested in completing the required reading, please contact the school as soon as possible. You will be moved to a regular language arts/reading class.

If you have questions about any of this information, please feel free to contact me over the summer. I will check my email several times each week and would love to correspond with you.

Have a safe and relaxing summer! Happy reading!

Sincerely,

Mr. Blake

hblake@batesville.k12.in.us

8^th Grade Summer Reading Questions – 2019

Directions: After you finishing reading The Outsiders, answer the following questions. Write a paragraph (5 – 7 sentences) as a response to each of the following questions. Please type your responses and bring with you on the first day of school. If you have questions about the assignment, please contact Mr. Blake (hblake@batesville.k12.in.us).

At the top of the page on the left, use the MLA heading. Then, type the question, hit the return key two times, and then type your response (5 – 7 sentences). Responses should be double-spaced.

1. Did you like the book? Why or why not? Give an example of something that happens in the book to illustrate your point.

2. Who was your favorite or least favorite character? What was he/she like? Give an example from the novel that shoes one of his/her traits.

3. What was a conflict in the story? Who were the characters involved in the conflict? Discuss the conflict and how it evolved.

4. What was the setting (time and place)? Was it important to the story?

5. Discuss the conclusion (resolution) of the story. Were all the conflicts resolved? Did the story have a satisfying ending? Why or why not?

BMS Locker Night/Open House will be:

Monday, August 5, 2019 from 5:30-7:00pm

Dear Incoming Seventh Grade Student,

Congratulations, you have been selected for Advanced Language Arts and Reading classes for the 2019 – 2020 school year.  I’m looking forward to an awesome year!  In order to prepare for these classes, please complete the following activities over the summer.

Checklist (Read carefully and check off as you complete each item. You can complete the reading in any order.)

__________      1.  Read Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie (5.9 RL; 8 pts.) by Jordan Sonnenblick. You will need to complete the writing activity located on the back on this letter.  Please follow the directions.  The writing assignment is due on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 7, 2019.

__________      2.  Additionally, you will need to come in and take the AR quiz over this novel.  The Media Center is open on most Wednesdays.  The dates are listed on the back. You must take this quiz prior to the start of school. The last date to take AR quizzes is Wednesday, July 31. If you take a quiz after this date, you will receive late credit. Additionally, please do not contact any adults about taking the quizzes at any other time other than the dates provided. Look over your summer schedule now and plan your reading and testing schedule!

__________      3.  Select one Young Hoosier Book (YHB) to read.  It should be one that you have not read previously.  You must select one that is at least a 4.5 reading level. Once you have finished reading it, come in and take the AR quiz over it.  There is no writing assignment over the YHB.

The Bookshelf (934-5800) will have copies of Drums, Girls & Dangerous Pie; the Batesville Memorial Public Library will have copies of the Young Hoosier Books.  There are also copies of the Young Hoosier Books in our Media Center.

Reading is a life-long skill.  We hope that you will enjoy reading these and other pieces over the summer.  Don’t forget to take advantage of the Summer Reading Program at the Batesville Memorial Public Library.   Also, consider the BMS Young Hoosier Book reading incentive!  This is a great way to earn a trophy at the end-of-the-year awards program.

If you are not interested in completing the required reading, please contact the school as soon as possible.  You will be moved to regular seventh grade Language Arts and Reading classes.

I would like you to email me as soon as you receive this so we can correspond over the summer. You can use your email address or a parent’s email address. My address is lbarnett@batesville.k12.in.us. In a few weeks, I will share a rubric for the writing assignment.

Have a safe and relaxing summer!  Happy reading!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Barnett

Summer Reading 2019

Summer Opportunities

Volleyball Camp for grades 6-8    July 22-25

Keep active over the summer

Open gyms: July 9^th & July 16^th at 10-11:15 am

Must have an up to date physical to participate.

Tryouts:  July 29, 30 9am-11 at BMS gym   (July 31^st, if needed)

Before tryouts you must have:

  (you will need these for open gym also)

1. physical from your doctor (physical from 6^th/7^th grade is no longer good)
2. concussion form signed
3. insurance form filled out

-turned in to the school office or coach.

It’s best to get it turned in before school is out or before tryouts begin.

If you make the team:

Will need to attend all practices & games

Will need knee pads

8^th grade will wear their own black spandex shorts

July 29^th & 30^th will be volleyball tryouts at BMS; 9-11am

July 31, Aug 1^st & 2^nd volleyball practice at BMS; 9-11am

Aug 5^th will start volleyball practice at 3pm-5pm

Sport Year 2019 – 2020

BMS Volleyball Schedule

Day Date School (s)                 Place    Time

T 8/20/2019 Greensburg          T          5:30 PM

Th 8/22/2019 Jac-Cen-Del       H         5:30 PM

T 8/27/2019 South Ripley        H         5:30 PM

Th 8/29/2019 Greendale          H         5:30 PM

T 9/3/2019 Franklin County     T          5:30 PM

T 9/10/2019 North Decatur      H         6:00 PM

Th 9/12/2019 Milan                 T          5:30 PM

M 9/16/2019 Sunman-Dearborn T       5:30 PM

T 9/17/2019 St. Louis              H         5:30 PM

Th 9/19/2019 South Dearborn T          5:30 PM

T 9/24/2019 Jennings County H          5:30 PM

M 9/30/2019 SEI Tourney       H         5:30 PM

T 10/1/2019 SEI Tourney        JCD     5:30 PM

Th 10/3/2019 SEI Tourney      SLS     5:30 PM

Batesville Middle School Library Media Center

Young Hoosier Book Award Program

Your child is invited to participate in the Young Hoosier Book Award program at Batesville Middle School.
There are several ways a student can become involved in the YHBA program, and this includes getting a start
on the reading this summer!

Opportunities:
1. Students reading and passing an Accelerated Reader quiz for a minimum of five (5) books from the middle
    school YHBA list by Monday, April 13, 2020, will be eligible to:
                 -participate in the YHBA Voting Celebration in April 2020 (date to be determined)

2. Students reading and passing an Accelerated Reader quiz for a minimum of fifteen (15) books from the
     middle school YHBA list by April 13, 2020, will be eligible to:
                -participate in the YHBA Voting Celebration in late April 2020
                -receive a trophy at the end-of-the-year BMS awards program

3. Summer Program – Students reading and passing an Accelerated Reader quiz for a minimum of fifteen (15)
    books from the middle school YHBA list by Monday, September 9, 2019 will be eligible to:
               -participate in the YHBA Voting Celebration in late April 2020
               -receive a trophy at the end-of the-year BMS awards program
               -be eligible for a group activity in late September or October

Guidelines:
-Students must read from the Young Hoosier Book Award middle school list. Titles are listed on the back.
-All books must be read from the beginning to the end by the student.
-When the student is finished with a book, a test must be taken at the BMS media center using the
Accelerated Reader program. A 60% or better must be scored in order for the book to count toward the
required number of books.
-Quizzes must be taken on or after June 12, 2019. If a student has already taken an AR test for a book on
this year’s list, the test results will be deleted, and the student may retake the test to qualify for the
YHBA program. If retaking an AR test, rereading or skimming the previously read book is recommended
before retaking the AR test.
-The BMS media center will be open this summer on Wednesdays so that students can come in and select
books and take quizzes. The dates are listed below.
                     *June 12 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.); June 19 (9:00 – 10:00 a.m.); June 26 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
                     *July 10 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.); July 17 (9:00 – 10:00 a.m.); July 31 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
-Copies of the books are also available at the Batesville Memorial Public Library.
-Questions about the program should be directed to Mrs. Lisa Barnett (lbarnett@batesville.k12.in.us)

Thank you in advance for your support in encouraging BMS students to be life-long readers!

YHBA is a program of the Association for Indiana School Library Educators.

                            Middle Grade

All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson
Ashes to Asheville by Sarah Dooley
Beautiful Blue World by Suzanne LaFleur
Braced by Alyson Gerber
Exo by Fonda Lee
Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry
Greetings From Witness Protection by Jake Burt
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
Miles Morales: Spiderman by Jason Reynolds
The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsay Currie
Playing Atari With Saddam Hussein by Jennifer Roy with Ali Fadhil
Refugee by Alan Gratz
Renegades by Marissa Meyer
Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart
The Secret Sheriff of Sixth Grade by Jordan Sonnenblick
The Shadow Cipher by Laura Ruby
The Someday Birds by Sally J. Pla
The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore
They Lost Their Heads by Carlyn Beccia
Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith