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 three-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 9 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 9 are completed as written essays and creative writing assignments. Students write essays that extend beyond five paragraphs.

​

 

Book 81: Wild Animals I Have Known by Ernest Thompson Seton

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

 

Essay prompt: In Wild Animals I Have Known, Ernest Thompson Seton shares stories of various animals and their behaviors. Choose one animal from the book and discuss how Seton describes its character and habitat. How does his portrayal help readers understand the challenges the animal faces in the wild? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.​

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are a wilderness guide leading a group of adventurers through the forest. Write a guidebook entry for one of the animals featured in Wild Animals I Have Known. Describe the animal's appearance, habitat, and behaviors, as well as any fascinating stories or facts you've learned about it. Include tips for observing the animal in the wild safely and respectfully. Use vivid language to bring the animal and its environment to life, making your readers feel like they are part of the wilderness experience.

​

 

Book 82: Rural Hours by Susan Fenimore Cooper

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

 

Essay prompt: In Rural Hours, Susan Fenimore Cooper describes the beauty of nature and the changing seasons in a rural setting. Choose a specific chapter or passage that highlights her observations. How does Cooper use her experiences to convey the importance of nature and its connection to human life? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are Susan Fenimore Cooper, spending a day in the countryside. Write a reflective journal entry describing your observations of the natural world around you. Include details about the sights, sounds, and smells you experience, as well as any animals or plants you encounter. Reflect on how these experiences make you feel and what they teach you about the importance of nature in our lives. Use descriptive language to create a vivid picture of your rural surroundings and convey your appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.

 

 

Book 83: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Penguin Classics

 

Essay prompt: In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption through the characters of Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Choose a specific event or character that illustrates these themes. How does this event or character reveal the societal pressures of Puritan New England? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

​

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are Hester Prynne, reflecting on your life after the events of The Scarlet Letter. Write a letter to a close friend explaining your feelings about wearing the scarlet letter "A" and how it has shaped your identity. Describe your experiences in the community, your thoughts on love and forgiveness, and your hopes for the future. Use expressive language to convey the complexity of your emotions and the impact of societal judgment on your life.

 

 

Book 84: The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

 

Essay prompt: In The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Franklin reflects on his life, achievements, and personal philosophy. Choose a specific lesson or principle that Franklin emphasizes in his writings. How does this lesson reflect his character and influence his decisions throughout his life? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are Benjamin Franklin, writing a letter to a young person seeking advice on how to live a good life. Share some of the key lessons you’ve learned from your experiences, such as the importance of hard work, self-improvement, or community service. Use personal anecdotes to illustrate these lessons and encourage the reader to apply them in their own life. Make your letter inspiring and relatable, using Franklin’s wit and wisdom to engage your audience.

 

 

Book 85: The Life of Black Hawk by Black Hawk

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Penguin Classics

​

Essay prompt: In The Life of Black Hawk, Black Hawk shares his experiences and perspectives as a leader of the Sauk tribe during a time of conflict with American settlers. Choose a specific event from his life that illustrates the struggles faced by Native Americans during this period. How does Black Hawk's account reflect his views on leadership, culture, and resistance? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are creating a guided tour at a museum describing the life of Black Hawk. What do you mention? What historical artifacts would you want to include in the museum? What are the key takeaways that you hope people from your presentation have after going on the tour you designed?

 

 

Book 86: The Complete Tales by Edgar Allan Poe (the following stories are assigned: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red Death, The Black Cat, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Gold-Bug, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Purloined Letter, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar, The Oval Portrait, The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, A Descent into the Maelström, The Oblong Box, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket)

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

​

Essay prompt: In The Complete Tales, Edgar Allan Poe explores themes of madness, death, and the supernatural through his unique storytelling style. Choose one story from the collection that exemplifies these themes. How does Poe use elements like setting, character, and mood to create a sense of fear or unease? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are a character in one of Edgar Allan Poe's tales, experiencing a moment of terror or revelation. Write a short story that captures the atmosphere of dread typical of Poe's works. Focus on the details of your surroundings, your emotions, and the events unfolding around you. Use descriptive language to create suspense and immerse the reader in the eerie world you inhabit. Consider how the story might explore themes of fear, obsession, or the unknown, in true Poe style.

 

 

Book 87: Anthem by Ayn Rand

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon

​

Essay prompt: In Anthem, Ayn Rand presents a dystopian society where individualism is suppressed, and the concept of "I" is forbidden. Choose a specific scene that highlights the struggle between individuality and conformity. How does this scene illustrate the importance of self-identity and personal freedom? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are the protagonist, Equality 7-2521, writing a journal entry after discovering the meaning of individuality. Describe your feelings about your newfound identity and the world around you. Reflect on the significance of your experiences, the importance of freedom, and your hopes for the future. Use expressive language to convey the emotions of breaking free from a society that values conformity over individuality. Consider what it means to truly be yourself in a world that discourages it.

 

 

Book 88: Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmore

📕Recommended print edition: Living Book Press | Illustrated Edition

​

Essay prompt: In Lorna Doone, R.D. Blackmore weaves a tale of love, adventure, and conflict set against the backdrop of the English countryside. Choose a specific character or event that significantly influences the story’s themes of love and loyalty. How does this character or event shape the relationships and outcomes for the main characters? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are John Ridd, writing a letter to Lorna Doone about your feelings and experiences throughout the story. Share your thoughts on the challenges you’ve faced, your loyalty to your family, and your love for Lorna. Describe a memorable moment from your adventures together and how it has shaped your view of love and honor. Use vivid descriptions and heartfelt emotions to express the depth of your feelings and the importance of your journey in a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

 

 

Book 89: A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

📕Recommended print edition: Living Book Press | Illustrated Edition

​

Essay prompt: In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens explores themes of sacrifice, resurrection, and the impact of social injustice during the French Revolution. Choose a specific character or event that embodies these themes. How does this character's journey or this event reflect the broader societal changes of the time? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine you are Charles Darnay, reflecting on your life and the events that led you to your current situation in revolutionary France. Write a letter to a friend in England describing your experiences, feelings about the revolution, and the sacrifices you've made for love and family. Share your thoughts on the challenges ahead and your hopes for the future. Use expressive language to convey the tension of living in a time of chaos and the impact of your choices on your identity and relationships.

 

​

Book 90: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

📕Recommended print edition: Available on Amazon | Penguin Classics

​

Essay prompt: In Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen explores themes of love, social class, and individual growth through the lives of her characters. Choose a specific event from the novel that significantly impacts the relationships among the characters. How does this event highlight the societal norms of the time and the personal struggles of the characters involved? Use examples from the text to support your ideas.

 

Creative writing prompt: Imagine a major event from Pride and Prejudice, such as the ball at Netherfield or Elizabeth's visit to Pemberley. Write two journal entries from the perspectives of two different characters involved in that event. Use descriptive language to capture the atmosphere of the event and convey the characters’ unique viewpoints, allowing readers to see how their individual experiences shape their understanding of love and social dynamics.