Peak to Peak

Charter School

800 Merlin Dr.

Lafayette, CO 80026

303.453.4600

www.peaktopeak.org

 

May 08

 

Dear Parents and Guardians of incoming English II Students:

 

My colleagues and I agree with research that shows students who read over the summer maintain or improve their literacy skills; those who don’t read see their skills diminish. This letter will introduce you to your child’s summer-reading responsibilities, setting up what we expect will be a successful start to the next school year.

All English II students will read The Giver by Lois Lowry and Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse and the two novels will be used as the foundation for our first unit of study.

The historical novel Out of the Dust, set in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl, is written in free verse diary form.  Exploring themes of family, survival, and triumph over adversity, the novel follows the story of 14-year old Billie Jo from the winter of 1934 through the winter of 1935.  The Giver explores themes of utopia and hypocrisy as the main character, 12-year old Jonas, learns the disturbing truth about the “perfect” society in which he lives. 

For the readings, students will complete a summer reading packet. This packet can easily be downloaded from www.peaktopeak.org, our school’s webpage. This packet is a place to hold key ingredients and memories from the book. (I don’t expect students to memorize what they read, but I do expect them to save their thinking on paper.) When students return to school in August, students should bring the completed packet with them.

Please complete the confirmation slip below and return it to this year’s classroom teacher. This will indicate that you and your child understand the summer-reading expectations. If you have further questions, please contact either Ms. Bunting or Ms. Jouzdani using the information below.

 

Have a great summer and thanks for reading!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Text Box: Return to 2007-08 classroom teacher… _______________________________________________ and I read the (Print student name.) summer-reading letter, and we understand the expectations: o Read The Giver and Out of the Dust o Download and complete a summer reading packet. o Bring the activity sheet on the first full day of school in August. Parent/guardian signature Student signature Date CONFIRMATION SLIPJennifer Jouzdani

English teacher

jennifer.jouzdani@bvsd.org

303.453.4627

 

 

Monika Bunting

English teacher

monika.bunting@bvsd.org

303.453-4725