Summer Assignments

During the summer, all students are expected to continue the habit of reading, both for enjoyment and as a supplement to their upcoming literary studies. With these goals in mind, teachers suggest the below texts as to enhance each student’s understanding of the curriculum as well as to provide a new or different reading experience.

All students must be prepared to discuss their chosen texts on the first day of school. Students will complete an in-class assignment on that day in which they will connect texts to their own lives. Please do not hesitate to contact your teacher over the summer should you have questions.

Parents: Please help your student choose his or her text. It is important that you approve both the author and the book. When you and your student have made an informed selection, please encourage the student to begin reading on a regular schedule.

Please direct any questions to Mr. Damian McDonald, English Department Chair at dmcdonald@bdcs.org.

Select one of the following books.

6th Grade Reading/Writing

• Chasing Vermeer, by Blue Balliett (Fiction)
• The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Stewart (Fiction)
• Ghost, by Jason Reynolds (Fiction)
• Secret Coders: Book 1, by Gene Luen Yang (Graphic Novel/Fiction) 

6th Summer reading Info

7th Grade Literature

Select one of the following books. Students entering 7^th grade should also annotate the text and bring it to class on the first day of school. 

• Secret Coders: Book 1, by Gene Luen Yang (Graphic Novel/Fiction) 
• Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
• Booked, by Kwame Alexander
• The Call of the Wild, by Jack London
• The Mysterious Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Author Conan Doyle

8th Grade Literature

Select one of the following books. Students entering 8^th grade should also annotate the text and bring it to class on the first day of school. 

• Maybe He Just Likes You, by Barbara Dee
• Just Mercy (Adapted for Young Adults): A True Story of the Fight for Justice, by Bryan Stevenson (Non Fiction)
• A Good Kind of Trouble, by Lisa Moore Ramee
• Level Up, by Gene Luen Yang 

The primary goal of the math department summer assignment is to provide extra practice and help students to prepare for the upcoming school year. This year we will be using the Khan Academy “Get Ready” series which is a course designed to sharpen skills used in the upcoming school year. This is a mastery based course and we encourage you child to master as many skills as possible prior to the first day of class.

It is recommended that students practice about 20 minutes a day 5 times a week. Although a mastery goal is set to 90% it is not required that your student reach the full 90%. Regular practice and leveling up of skills is what teachers are looking for. 

Once you join the class please allow 24 hours (Monday-Friday) for the course mastery content to populate for your account.

Khan Academy Course Setup Guide

Select the Class Join link below for your Math class for the Fall of 2023

NEW FALCONS! If you are new to Bishop Dunne and Khan Academy, you will first need to create an account. Please click on the appropriate link below to set up your account. Students ages 12 and under will need to have a parent create the account for them. Students 13 and older can create their own account and link their parent. In creating your child’s account you do not need to pre-select a course. Please use the link provided above to join one of our Bishop Dunne Math courses.

Khan Academy Video Sign Up Instructions:

• Khan Academy - Parent Quick Tips: For Kids Ages 12 and Under
• Khan Academy – Parent Quick Tips: For Kids Ages 13+

If you have questions or need assistance in setting up your child's account, please contact Mrs. Christine Voigt cvoigt@bdcs.org. If you have math questions, contact Mr. Jimmy Alcorn jalcorn@bdcs.org.

High School Summer Reading Guide

During the summer, all students are expected to continue the habit of reading, both for enjoyment and as a supplement to their upcoming literary studies. With these goals in mind, teachers choose texts to enhance each student’s understanding of the curriculum as well as to provide a new or different reading experience.

This year, incoming students will choose one text from the below list to read and annotate, using the below instructions as a guide. All students must have the annotated copy of their text as well as any notes with them on the first day of school. Students will discuss and write an essay over their selected novel the first weeks of school. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Damian McDonald (dmcdonald@bdcs.org), English Department Chair, over the summer should you have questions.

Parents: Please help your student choose his or her text. It is important that you approve both the author and the book. Some of the authors below produce novels that include adult content, and it is important that you are aware of your student’s reading choice. When you and your student have made an informed selection, please encourage the student to begin reading on a regular schedule.

High School Annotation Guide

The primary goal of the math department summer assignment is to provide extra practice and help students to prepare for the upcoming school year. This year we will be using the Khan Academy “Get Ready” series which is a course designed to sharpen skills used in the upcoming school year. This is a mastery based course and we encourage you child to master as many skills as possible prior to the first day of class. In addition to the Get Ready content, your student will have the opportunity to link SAT practice based on their PSAT results from College Board. Click here for additional information. 

It is recommended that students practice about 20 minutes a day 5 times a week. This could be practice assigned through mastery content as part of Get Ready or PSAT/SAT practice through Khan Academy. Although a mastery goal is set to 90% it is not required that your student reach the full 90%. Regular practice and leveling up of skills is what teachers are looking for. 

Once you join the class please allow 24 hours (Monday-Friday) for the course mastery content to populate for your account.

Khan Academy Course Setup Guide

Select the Class Join link below for your Math class for the Fall of 2023

NEW FALCONS! If you are new to Bishop Dunne and Khan Academy, you will first need to create an account. Please click on the appropriate link below to set up your account. Students 13 and older can create their own account and link their parent. In creating your child’s account you do not need to pre-select a course. Please use the link provided above to join one of our Bishop Dunne Math courses.

Khan Academy Video Sign Up Instructions:

• Khan Academy – Parent Quick Tips: For Kids Ages 13+

If you have questions or need assistance in setting up your child's account, please contact Mrs. Christine Voigt cvoigt@bdcs.org. If you have math questions, contact Mr. Jimmy Alcorn jalcorn@bdcs.org.