Prince of Peace Christian School Summer Reading 2012-2013 Grade 8 Dear Incoming Eighth Graders: As part of the summer reading program, you will be required to read two books during your summer break. One of your selections must be The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. That novel is the only must read of the two required texts. For your other book, you may select one from the variety of options listed on the attachment. In an effort to place greater emphasis on reading, the written component of the summer reading assignment has been considerably streamlined without being diluted in any way. You will have two different assignments to complete for the books you read. Fist, you will have comprehension questions to guide your reading of The Old Man and the Sea over the summer. You will also complete a creative based project covering the content contained within your book of choice. Please see the attached Movie Poster project guidelines for this particular assignment. Both of these assignments will be due the first week of school. Although only two books are required, please keep in mind that all students are encouraged to read more throughout the summer. Please do not hesitate to contact me via email if you have any questions regarding the summer reading program. Dallas Lusk Middle School Assistant Principal Prince of Peace Christian School 4000 Midway Road Carrollton, TX 75007 972-447-0532 x445 dallas.lusk@princeofpeace.org
SUMMER READING OPTIONS Please select one book from the following list to read in addition to The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: GENRE Historical Fiction: White Lilacs by Carolyn Meyer The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Black Duck by Janet Taylor Lisle The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane Mystery: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Non-Fiction (Biography/Autobiography and History): Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy Left for Dead: A Young Man s Search for Justice by Peter Nelson All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot (also, any of the sequels)
The Old Man and the Sea Comprehension Questions In a word document, answer the following questions in complete sentences. 1. How does the very first sentence tell you what the main conflict will be? 2. What are the defining characteristics of the old man? 3. What details tell you what an extraordinary fisherman Santiago was? 4. How does Manolin (the boy) treat the old man? Explain. 5. When Santiago was the boy s age, what did he do? What did he see? 6. Who was the great Dimaggio? 7. Using details and specifics, how is Santiago different from the other fishermen? How is he similar? 8. Why does the old man like turtles? 9. What is the first fish that Santiago catches? 10. What does Santiago think of immediately before the marlin begins to nose the hook? What does this show about him? 11. How does he actually hook the fish? 12. How are he and the fish similar? 13. Who comes to visit Santiago? Why is it so tired? 14. How is it similar to Santiago? 15. What error did Santiago make? How is he paying for it? 16. Why does Santiago think his hand is cramping? 17. What does the fish look like? 18. How does the old man think of the marlin he has hooked? Why is he that way? 19. What does El Campeon tell you about Santiago? 20. Santiago compares himself to the marlin. How do the stars compare to Santiago?
21. Complete the quote: It is enough to live on the sea and 22. What is he implying that it is all right to do? 23. Complete the quote: The punishment of the hook is nothing, but the punishment of the hunger everything. 24. Why is the hook not a problem? Why is hunger a problem? 25. How does the old man actually kill the fish? 26. How are he and the fish brothers? 27. When did the shark pick up the scent? 28. What is the old man s attitude when he sees the shark? 29. Complete the quote: A man can be destroyed. Put the quote in your own words. 30. What happens to the old man as he walks back to his cabin? 31. How long was the Marlin? 32. How long must Santiago s boat be? 33. What was incredible about the last fight? 34. Why does Manolin cry? 35. The novel ends with a scene with the tourists. What do they mistake the fish for? 36. Do the tourists get it? 37. How is Santiago sleeping at the end of the novel? 38. Will he live? Explain.
The Old Man and the Sea Essay In Santiago, the central character of The Old Man and the Sea, Ernest Hemingway has created a hero who personifies honor, courage, endurance, and faith. You will write an expository essay identifying, analyzing, and explaining these traits. The essay should follow this outline: Introduction: Your introduction must begin with a summary of the story, and your summary should stress the meaning of what happened. We all know Santiago catches a big fish and then the sharks eat it. So? Lead your summary logically to the last sentence of your first paragraph which will be strong thesis including these four traits honor, courage, endurance, and faith. Body Paragraph #1: Give three specific incidents through which Santiago reveals his sense of HONOR. Include details, quotes, and page numbers. Analyze how and why Hemmingway chose this specific trait to personify in Santiago. How does the personification of this trait add to the story? Body Paragraph #2: Give three specific incidents through which Santiago reveals his sense of COURAGE. Include details, quotes, and page numbers. Analyze how and why Hemmingway chose this specific trait to personify in Santiago. How does the personification of this trait add to the story? Body Paragraph #3: Give three specific incidents through which Santiago reveals his sense of ENDURANCE. Include details, quotes, and page numbers. Analyze how and why Hemmingway chose this specific trait to personify in Santiago. How does the personification of this trait add to the story? Body Paragraph #4: Give three specific incidents through which Santiago reveals his sense of FAITH. Include details, quotes, and page numbers. Analyze how and why Hemmingway chose this specific trait to personify in Santiago. How does the personification of this trait add to the story? Conclusion: Your conclusion must restate the four traits of Santiago s character in your own words. You should then broaden your paragraph to a summary of the lesson, moral, or theme of the novel. What can/could a reader learn about himself and/or his world from reading this novel? Essay guidelines taken from http://homepage.mac.com/mseffie/assignments/hemingway/essay
Create a Movie Poster based on the plot of the book you just read. It should look like a movie poster that you see in movie theaters informative and interesting to the viewer. Your poster must include the following: A picture (either drawn or computer generated) to represent the plot of your book. (You may NOT copy the cover of the book). 2 quotes from the novel that summarize the plot. List 2 stars (characters) of the book Two quotes from critics about the book (check either Barnes & Noble s or Amazon s websites). Works cited must be on back of poster. 1 Paragraph summary of book somewhere on the board. Your poster needs to be colorful, creative, and informative!