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Summer Reading for Incoming Seventh Graders!
This summer all students entering 7th grade and MAP in the fall will be assigned a novel to read by the first day of school. This book, Crispin: The Cross of Lead, by Avi, won the 2003 Newbery Medal and has been selected for our students to build reading skills and connect with the 7th grade social studies curriculum on the Middle Ages.
Crispin is set in 14th Century England and tells the story of a boy known only as “Asta’s Son.” Falsely accused of murder and labeled a “wolf’s head” wanted dead or alive, the boy escapes his village and the evil steward of the manor. Along the road, he meets a traveling juggler known as Bear of York, to whom the boy swears servitude. Avi incorporates historical details about medieval social structure and the effects of the Black Plague into an exciting mystery-adventure.
All current sixth graders and returning MAP students will be issued a copy of the book as a textbook. This book should be returned in good condition at the end of the summer. The seventh grade humanities and MAP teachers will begin the school year with reading and writing assignments on the assumption that students have completed the book.
If you know that your student will not be returning to Marshall in the fall, please send a note to your child’s current language arts teacher. Your child will participate in the introductory lessons in June but will not be issued a copy of the book over the summer.
Research shows that reading during the summer is an important part of academic growth and counteracts the “summer slide” in literacy skills. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher before the end of the school year. Support through the summer will also be available at our blog http://crispinsummer2013.blogspot.com.
Please consider how you might support your child in completing this summer reading requirement. You may want to read the novel together as a family. Visit the blog and preview the content and vocabulary. Provide reminders to help your child schedule in their reading time. The Timberland Regional Library also has audiobook and e-book options, more books in the Crispin series, and other related titles.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
MMS Sixth and Seventh Grade Teachers
This Week at Marshall
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2013 Summer School Program
It's hard to believe but summer school is right around the corner! Classes will begin July 8th and run through August 8th. School will be in session Monday through Thursday mornings and are for Middle School and High School students only. The summer school program will be taking place at Olympia High School. Courses are $100 each. If you have any additional questions please feel free to contact summer school administrator, Sean Shaughnessy at (360) 596-7075. Additional Information.