Dr. Daniel Hale Williams School for the Arts M.S.

180
700 Baychester Avenue Bronx, NY 10475
5655

Tel: (718) 904-5650

Marlon Williams , Principal

Greeley
Jacqueline Dillard, Grade Leader

Fax: (718) 904-

Assistant Principals: Margaret

Tobi Goldberg
Jessica Astor
Corey

Dicker

Summer Reading 6

th

Grade

June 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to M.S. 180! Our teachers and administrators are looking forward to
working with you and your children over the next three years. Although parents do not
actually take the tests, complete the homework assignments or write the reportsthe
M.S. 180 staff highly values the role you play. We know the tireless support, dedication,
and motivation you provide throughout your childs elementary school. Theres no time
like the present to begin working towards that goal.
With summer quickly approaching, its extremely important to maintain an
academic momentum. Over the vacation, every incoming 6th grade student must read a
minimum of Two books one fiction, The Skin Im In by Sharon Flake, and one nonfiction. Please find the list of suggested non-fiction books attached.
In addition, students will be required to complete an in-class essay on the
mandatory book The Skin Im In. upon their return to school in September. They will be
allowed to use their notes from the summer reading project. The summer reading
project will count as part of each students first marking period literacy grade.
The in-class essay will also count as an additional first marking period literacy
grade. The summer reading is designed to provide a positive boost toward your childs
grades in September.
Please encourage your children to read as much as possible over the summer.
Students who read more frequently become stronger readers and are more likely to
succeed in school. Plus, your kids just might enjoy what they find within the pages of a
new book.
Please note the Summer Reading project is due no later than Tuesday,
September 13, 2016. This project, as well as other reading sources is available to you
at www.ms180library.weebly.com.
Sincerely,
The Literacy Staff at M.S. 180

2016 SUMMER READING LIST

Students entering the 6th grade in September 2016 must read at least two books. They
must read the required text listed below, and one non-fiction book. They can choose a
non-fiction book from the suggested list below or they can choose a non-fiction book of
their choice.
(NF)= Non-fiction
**= Required text
1. The Skin Im In, Sharon Flake **
2. Learn to Speak Dance, Ann-Marie Williams (NF)
3. Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science
4. Unusual History of Video Games, Thomas James Haltman (NF)

John Fleischman (NF)

Encourage your children to read the descriptions of each novel by browsing through
copies at a bookstore or library, and /or research some of the titles on the internet (i.e.
www.commonsensemedia.org.)

SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT 2016

Students must read at least 2 novels and answer the corresponding

activities. Complete both graphic organizers for the book The Skin Im In. For
the first graphic organizer, answer the questions in column one in the
corresponding space provided in column2. For the second graphic organizer, be
sure to summarize the story in sequential order as the events occurred.
For the non-fiction book, choose one of the response questions given and be sure
to answer in complete sentences. Also, be sure that your response is at least a
paragraph long.

Graphic organizers and the reading response are worth 25% each. The in class
essay will be worth 25% for a total of 100%.

Responding to The Skin Im In by Sharon Flake

Read the novel, The Skin Im In and answer the questions in the
graphic organizer. You may type your responses directly on the
organizer or neatly handwrite it. Please ensure that you use
details/quotations from the books to support your response.
Name:

Question #

1. Explain a
character's problem
and then offer your
character advice on
how to solve his/her
problem.
2. What quality of a
character in the novel,
"The Skin I'm In"
strikes you as a good
characteristic to
develop within
yourself over the
years? Why? How does
the character
demonstrate this
quality?
3. How do the
characters actions
affect other people in
the story?

Class:

Answer

4. How does the

author provide
information or details
to make the story
seem realistic?
5. If you were the
author, would you
have ended the story
in a different way?
Why? How so?

Its a Whale of a Tale

The Skin Im In by Sharon Flake
Sequence the story in five steps. Make sure to include relevant information that
shows who, what, where, when, why and how of the story
First

Then

Next

After

Finally

Reading Response Non- Fiction

Select a non-fiction book and answer one of the following questions. You may use one
of the books listed or a book of your choice. Please ensure that you type or neatly
handwrite your response. All responses must be clear and directly connected to the
question being asked/answered.

1. Learn to Speak Dance, Ann-Marie Williams (NF)

2. Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science
John Fleischman (NF)
3. Unusual History of Video Games, Thomas James Haltman (NF)

ResponseQuestions:
1. Copy a short passage that you found to be interesting. Explain what
made it interesting for you.
2. Write a summary of what you read in your book today.
3. Explain some of the things that you have learned so far that you are not
likely to forget in the near future.
4. Write to inform us about the author. What other articles and/or books has
the author written? Is he/she one of your favorite authors, and if so, why?
5. What ideas might you have for turning this work of nonfiction into a work
of fiction? Give a brief summary of what your story might be like.

6. Explain the basic information that is being presented in terms of the

5W's: Who? What? When? Where? Why?

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Middle School for the Arts

M.S. 180
A SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE AND OPPORTUNITY
700 Baychester Avenue,
Bronx, NY 10475
Tel: (718) 904-5650
Fax: (718) 904-5655
Grade Leader
Jacqueline Dillard

Mr. Frank Uzzo,

Principal
Assistant Principals:
Margaret Greeley
Tobi Goldberg
Jessica Astor
Corey Dicker
6th Grade Literacy Supply List
September 2016

Check off list

Please have all supplies by the first day of school.

One 3 subject notebook

One assignment pad/calendar/planner to write homework assignments
One composition notebooks (marble notebook)
Five folders; one of each of the following colors: red, white, orange, blue and black
One USB flash drive (for all subjects)
Two packages of loose leaf paper
Pocket Dictionary
Combination lock

One pack of index cards

Two box of tissues
Two rolls of paper towels
Art box/Supply box with

Glue stick keep at home, bring when needed for projects

1 pack of highlighters

Scotch tape keep at home, bring when needed for projects

Pack of post-its

Water based markers; No Sharpies

One pair of children scissors keep at home

One pack of #2 pencils (not mechanical)

Color pencils or crayons

One pack of pens, blue, or black

One pack of color in pen for editing for example purple or green but not red

Erasers

Mini stapler/staples/paper clips (keep at home for use)

Ruler

NO WHITE OUT PLEASE!