ENTERING EIGHTH GRADE

Students entering eighth grade are to read two books over the summer.  One of them is Chew On This by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson and the other is your choice from the list below.  Scroll through the list of titles and descriptions to find something that interests you!

Underneath the list, you will find your summer reading assignment as well as some helpful resources.

Have a great summer!

Chew on This by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson

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Your Assignment:
Be prepared to discuss the book when you return in September. Use the resources on this page as a guide.
 Key Vocabulary
  • medieval (pg. 18) adj. of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or in the style of the Middle Ages
  • nonconformists (pg. 33) noun. a person who refuses to conform, as to established customs, attitudes, or ideas.
  • franchising (pg. 35) noun. the license granted by a company to an individual or group to market its products or services in a specific territory.
  • corporations (pg. 41) noun. an association of individuals, created by law or under authority of law, having a continuous existence independent of the existences of its members, and powers and liabilities distinct from those of its members.
  • synergy (pg. 42) noun. combined action or functioning.
  • marketing (pg. 42) noun. The activities of a company associated with buying and selling a product or service.
  • profit (pg. 45) noun. monetary surplus left to a producer or employer after deducting wages, rent, cost of raw materials, etc.
  • brand loyalty (pg. 49) noun. the tendency of consumers to continue buying a specific brand's product or service, despite the competition
  • focus groups (pg. 51) noun. a representative group of people questioned about their opinions on political issues, consumer products, etc.
  • brainwashing (pg. 53) noun. a method for systematically changing attitudes or altering beliefs
  • omnipresent (pg. 61) adj. present everywhere at the same time
  • industry (pg. 72) noun. any general business activity; commercial enterprise
  • low income (pg. 76) adj. of or pertaining to those with a relatively small income.
  • negotiate (pg. 86) verb. to deal or bargain with another, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.
  • executives (pg. 87) noun. a person or group of persons having administrative or supervisory authority in an organization.
  • solidarity (pg. 90) noun. community of feelings, purposes, etc.
  • sacrosanct (pg. 92) adj. extremely sacred or inviolable.
  • additives (pg. 111) noun. something that is added, as one substance to another, to alter or improve the general quality or to counteract undesirable properties
  • courage (pg. 155) noun. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.
  • self reliance (pg. 160) noun. reliance on oneself or one's own powers, resources, etc.
  • condemned (pg. 160) noun. to express an unfavorable or adverse judgment on; indicate strong disapproval of.
  • free market (pg. 162) noun. an economic system in which prices and wages are determined by unrestricted competition between businesses, without government regulation or fear of monopolies.
  • employer (pg. 165) noun. a person or business that employs one or more people, esp. for wages or salary.
  • unions (pg. 185) noun. an organization of workers.
  • illegal immigrants (pg. 186) noun. a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country unlawfully or without the country's authorization.
  • banned (pg. 243) verb. to prohibit, forbid, or bar.
Guiding Questions
  • Why do you think the hamburger became so popular? How was American society changing?
  • Name some of the techniques that fast food companies use in advertisements to attract children. Are they "fair"?
  • How was McDonald's able to win the legal case against Pascal and Maxime? Were the tactics McDonald's used just?
  • How are chemical "flavors" used in fast food? Do you think cultures outside of the US enjoy the same flavors? Why or why not?
  • Do you think that the National School Lunch Program is still able to fulfill its 1946 mission to "safeguard the health and well-being of the nations' children"? Why or why not?
  • If you were in charge of one of the biggest meatpacking companies, what would you do differently?
  • How much do you think that personal responsibility is a cause of the current obesity crisis? How much do you think corporations are responsible? Why?
  • How does Chew On This make you think about the type of society in which you would want to live? Why? As a citizen, what type of changes would you make?

Note: Some questions were taken from "discussion guide" in Chew on This.

Supporting Resources 
Publishers website for Chew On This 
http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/chewonthis/
Leading supplier of frozen potatoes, Lamb Weston
http://www.lambweston.com/about_us/history/history.jsp
Creator and manufacturer of natural and artificial additives, International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc.
http://www.iff.com/internet.nsf/HomePage!OpenForm
Fast food company, McDonald’s Corporation
http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/home.html
Leading supplier of chicken, Tyson Foods, Inc.
http://www.tyson.com/
Twelve food additives to avoid
http://health.msn.com/nutrition/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=100204508&imageindex=1&q=12+Food+Additives+to+Avoid
Foods that contain trans fat
http://www.acaloriecounter.com/trans-fat-foods.php
Alice Water’s “Edible Schoolyard” promotes healthy eating in schools http://www.edibleschoolyard.org/welcome