Ms. Lynn Dickson

June 13, 2011

Dear Parents and Students Entering 8^th Grade:

Congratulations on a great year!  You are now 8^th graders and the new leaders of the school!  As you prepare for your summer of fun and relaxation, I want to welcome you to 8^th grade as well as remind you of the summer reading.  You need to read three books over the summer for required reading.  The first book for required reading is The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.  The other two books you may choose from the following:Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom or Found by Margaret Maddix.  Below are some recommended authors.  Enjoy your reading!

Laurie Halse Anderson              Lois Lowery

Sharon Creech                          Walter Dean Myers

Agatha Christie                        Stephanie Meyer

Sandra Cisneros                        James Murphy

Lois Duncan                               Gary Paulsen

Nancy Farmer                           Richard Peck

Russell Freedman                      Ann Rinaldi

Anthony Horowitz                     William Shakespeare

John Knowles                            John Steinbeck

Jack London                              Jane Yolen

On the back of this sheet is an 8^th grade supply list.  Please take advantage of the numerous sales over the summer to stock up! 

I am looking forward to seeing and meeting all of you in the fall.  Have a wonderful and safe summer vacation.

Sincerely,

Ms. Lynn Dickson

8^th Grade Supply List

• Zippered pencil case
• 7 hardback marble copybooks
• Graph paper
• 7 pocket expanding file folder with elastic closure
• Clear plastic slip covers for binder
• Pocket stapler with staples
• Erasable black pens
• Red pens
• Glue stick
• Highlighters (2)
• 2-3 dry erase markers (for white boards)
• Colored pencils
• Pencils and erasers
• Small plastic pencil sharpener
• 12” ruler
• Scissors
• Paper book covers or book socks
• Roll of clear tape
• Plastic 3 x 5 index card holder
• 2 packages of 3 x 5 index cards
• Pocket dictionary and thesaurus
• Clear contact paper to cover workbooks
• One USB flash drive
• Ear buds/headphones in a ziplock bag (put name on bag)
• Calculator TI-34II (Texas Instruments)
• Locker accessories (optional)

Please note that white-out may not be used in school. 

       8^th Grade Summer Reading Projects

You will be working on two projects this summer.  You are to write a book review on the blog following the format that Mrs. Zepka taught you for one of the books you read, and you are to create a board game/jeopardy game for one of the other books.  The third book you need to be ready to write about when you return to school. 

Project 1 – write and submit a book review on the blog about one the books you read. This blog is on Mrs. Dickson’s Teacher Web site.  You need to become familiar with this website for the upcoming year.  Please complete this book review by August 20^th.

Project 2 – Create a board game or jeopardy game for your book.  You may create the jeopardy game online if you would like.  All games created for the computer must be emailed to me by August 20^th.  Make sure to include quality questions that you make up about the characters and events in the book. 

****Please keep a booklist of all the books you read this summer. 

****I will be updating our teacherweb throughout the summer.  Please feel free to email with any new book titles or questions that you have. 

Lynndickson2597@hotmail.com