After each reading students will complete a formative assessment. They will complete dictation after each reading. Dictation is when they write passages as they are being read aloud to them. This helps them memorize spelling and sentence structure. They choose a full paragraph passage, read it, and then write it as it’s read aloud to them. Afterward, they compare their work to the original and make corrections. After writing the passage, have them read it out loud. Written narrations continue with full sentences, correct capitalization, and punctuation. Finally, they will select 7 vocabulary words from each reading. Have them write down the vocabulary word, look up and write down the definition, and then use the word to write a sentence (either from the book or a sentence they make up).

 

At the end of the book students will complete a summative assessment. Summative assessments for level 7 are completed as written essays and creative writing assignments.

 

Book 61: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Oxford World Classics

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Essay prompt: In Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen explores themes of imagination, romance, and the contrast between reality and fiction. Choose a moment in the story where Catherine Morland's imagination influences her thoughts or actions. How does this affect her understanding of the world around her? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are Catherine Morland, visiting Northanger Abbey for the first time. Write a letter to your friend, describing your thoughts and feelings about the abbey and the people you meet there. Include details about what you see, how the place makes you feel, and any exciting or mysterious events that happen. Use your imagination to express Catherine's curiosity and how the stories she has read influence her perspective on her new surroundings.

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Book 62: Philip K. Dick Collection by Philip K. Dick (the following stories are assigned: The Defenders, Beyond Lies the Wub, Mr. Spaceship, The Eyes Have It, Second Variety, Piper in the Woods, The Gun, The Crystal Crypt, Tony and the Beetles, and Adjustment Team)

​📕Recommended print edition: not currently available

 

Essay prompt: Philip K. Dick writes stories that often explore interesting ideas about reality, technology, and what it means to be human. Choose one short story from his collection that you find exciting or thought-provoking. What is the main idea of the story, and how does it make you think about the world differently? Use examples from the story to explain your thoughts.

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Creative writing prompt: Write a newspaper article reporting on an extraordinary event inspired by one of Philip K. Dick’s stories. Imagine that a person in your town has experienced a strange phenomenon, like seeing a different reality or communicating with a robot. Include details about what happened, quotes from witnesses, and the reactions of people in the community. Make your article engaging and informative, as if it’s being published in a real newspaper.

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Book 63: Sailing Alone Around the World by Joshua Slocum

​📕Recommended print edition: not currently available

 

Essay prompt: In Sailing Alone Around the World, Joshua Slocum shares his adventures as the first person to sail solo around the globe. Choose a specific part of his journey and discuss what challenges he faced and how he overcame them. What lessons does he learn along the way? Use examples from the book to support your ideas.

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Creative writing prompt: Assignment: Imagine you are Joshua Slocum during your solo sailing journey. Write a diary entry for one day at sea, describing your experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Include details about the weather, any challenges you encounter, and the beauty of the ocean around you. Reflect on what it means to be alone on the water and how the adventure is changing you. Use vivid descriptions to bring your experience to life.

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Book 64: Wild Animals at Home by Ernest Thompson Seton

​📕Recommended print edition: Living Book Press | Illustrated Edition

 

Essay prompt: In Wild Animals at Home, Ernest Thompson Seton shares fascinating stories about different animals and their behaviors. Choose one animal from the book and explain its unique characteristics and habits. Why do you think these traits are important for the animal's survival? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

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Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are creating a sign for a wildlife area to educate visitors about a specific animal featured in Wild Animals at Home. Design a colorful and informative sign that includes the following: the animal's name, a brief description of its habitat, interesting facts about its behavior, and tips for how people can help protect this animal. Use engaging language and visuals to make your sign appealing and informative.

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Book 65: Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott

​📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Oxford World Classics

 

Essay prompt: In Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott tells a story of chivalry, loyalty, and adventure set in medieval England. Choose a character from the book, such as Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Rebecca, or Cedric the Saxon, and discuss their role in the story. What challenges do they face, and how do they demonstrate bravery or loyalty? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

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Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are a character in Ivanhoe, living in medieval England. Write a short story from your character's point of view, describing a day in their life. Include details about the challenges they face, their thoughts on the conflicts between Saxons and Normans, and any adventures or noble deeds they might undertake. Use vivid descriptions to bring the medieval setting to life and express your character's emotions and motivations.

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Book 66: The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

​📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

 

Essay prompt: In The Scarlet Pimpernel, Baroness Orczy tells the exciting story of a mysterious hero who helps save French aristocrats during the Reign of Terror. Choose a key event from the story that highlights the bravery and cleverness of the Scarlet Pimpernel. How does this event reveal his character? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

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Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are a reporter in Paris during the French Revolution, trying to uncover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Write a newspaper article detailing your investigation. Include descriptions of the daring rescues he has accomplished, the rumors surrounding his identity, and the reactions of both the French authorities and the aristocrats he saves. Use dramatic language to capture the excitement and tension of this dangerous time.

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Book 67: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

​📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Penguin Classics

 

Essay prompt: In Little Women, Louisa May Alcott portrays the lives and challenges of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Choose one event from the story that affects all four sisters and discuss how each sister's personality influences her response to that event. Explain why their different perspectives are significant for understanding their characters and the themes of the novel. Use examples from the book to support your opinion.​

 

Creative writing prompt: Write a short journal entry from the perspective of each of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—reflecting on the same event in the story (such as the Christmas they had little money to spend or the girls' first experience at a ball). Each entry should express their unique thoughts and feelings about the event, highlighting their different personalities and viewpoints. Be creative and use their distinct voices to bring the sisters’ perspectives to life.

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Book 68: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

​📕Recommended print edition: Living Book Press | Illustrated Edition

 

Essay prompt: In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his transformation after being visited by three spirits. Choose one of the spirits—the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, or Future—and discuss its significance in Scrooge's journey toward redemption. Explain how this spirit influences Scrooge’s character development and the overall message of the story. Use examples from the text to support your opinion.​

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine that you have been taken back in time to experience a Christmas from the past, present, or future as depicted in A Christmas Carol. Write a descriptive piece about what you see, hear, and feel in that time. Describe the setting, the people you encounter, and the emotions surrounding the Christmas celebration. Reflect on how this experience impacts your understanding of the holiday spirit and the importance of kindness and generosity. Be creative and use vivid details to make your writing come alive.

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Book 69: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

​📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Penguin Classics

 

Essay prompt: In Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne takes readers on an incredible underwater adventure with Captain Nemo and the Nautilus. Choose a specific part of the journey and discuss how Verne describes the ocean and its creatures. What does this reveal about the wonders and dangers of the sea? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.​

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are a crew member on the Nautilus, exploring the depths of the ocean. Write a journal entry describing a day on board the submarine. Include details about what you see, such as underwater landscapes and marine life, and your thoughts on Captain Nemo's adventures. Reflect on how being underwater changes your perspective on the world and any challenges you face during your journey. Use vivid descriptions to bring the underwater experience to life.

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Book 70: Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving

​📕Recommended print edition: Living Book Press | Illustrated Edition

 

Essay prompt: In Tales of the Alhambra, Washington Irving shares stories inspired by the beautiful Alhambra palace in Spain. Choose one story from the collection and discuss how Irving describes the setting and its influence on the characters. Use examples from the text to support your ideas.​

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are a visitor exploring the Alhambra palace during the time Washington Irving wrote Tales of the Alhambra. Write a letter to a friend describing your visit. Include details about the architecture, the gardens, and any stories you hear about the palace's history and legends. Share your thoughts and feelings about the beauty of the place and how it inspires your imagination. Use descriptive language to make your friend feel as if they are experiencing the Alhambra with you.​​