Updated 6/29/15
Two-part summer reading assignment
As part of your English education requirements, you are required to select one book from the following list to read during the summer. The book you choose may be either checked out from the public library or purchased from a local bookstore: You are not required to own the book. You will need to have your selected book finished by the first day of the “A-half” of your English class. You will be held accountable for that book through 1) a response journal <download here> and 2) a book test two weeks into the A-half of English.
Choose from the following:
Freshman list
Sophomore list
Junior list
Senior and AP list
Creative Writing list
Important notes
But why do homework over the summer?
Ten years ago, when we began the program, there were a series of factors that led to its implementation. First, in order for our students to remain competitive with students throughout the nation, we discovered that many school districts implement a summer program, many beginning in the elementary school years (and these weren’t private institutions, but public). Second, following an analysis of our standardized test scores, we felt that our students needed a boost in reading comprehension skills. Third, as it says in an online newsletter concerning maintaining academic skills: “Summer shouldn't mean taking a break from learning, especially reading. Studies show that most students experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but those who continue to read actually gain skills. Students should make an effort to sustain reading skills, practice reading, and read for enjoyment, even though school is not in session (LD Online Newsletter)“ (which are facts we find especially compelling). Fourth, that the students entering Advanced Placement classes would be at less of a disadvantage when their peers in other schools are expected to begin summer work once they are registered for their next year’s classes.
These are just a few of many positive factors that we discussed when we determined that this was a program about which we felt strongly. We knew it was going to be a battle, as we increasingly encounter resistance over doing homework during the school year. However, for our students to be academically competitive, they should understand that our school and English department have high expectations for them. As educators, we have a powerful desire for our students to graduate with strong language arts skills, and feel strongly that homework and summer reading serves to reinforce and practice skills learned in the classroom.
As a department, we want to be understanding, while still maintaining the integrity of the program: we provide our “b” trimester students with a copy of the list for the coming summer, we have the assignment included in the registration materials, and posted on the Media Center’s page. At the beginning of each school year, the expectations about summer reading are discussed again on the first day, and testing occurs two weeks from the first day to give the students a sense that they have a safety net. If a student is a transfer to Brighton, as a department we have agreed to discuss the summer reading expectations with the student, give them the list, and perhaps provide them an additional week in order to complete the assignment.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Jenn Mattson – [email protected] - who administers the program for our department.
Choose from the following:
Freshman list
Sophomore list
Junior list
Senior and AP list
Creative Writing list
Important notes
- If a student does not have English during the first trimester of school, they may check with the English teacher they will have for “A-half” English class at the beginning of the school year to make special arrangements if they would like to take the test before second trimester. They may want to save your response journals in a document to upload later, as well.
- A.P. English Language (juniors) students should have received a separate assignment: their books are also listed here. If a student did not receive the A.P. Language assignment, please email: [email protected] or [email protected] to request a copy. A.P. English Literature (seniors) students should also have received a separate assignment: their books are also listed here and any senior student is welcome to select one of those for their summer reading, even if they aren’t taking the class. If a student did not receive the A.P. Literature assignment, please email: [email protected] to request a copy.
- Please note: there is a specific list of books if a student is signed up for Creative Writing for Senior English credit. If the student is a Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior in Creative Writing, they will be responsible for the book for their grade level Language Arts class only, and can use the book for both Language Arts and Creative Writing class.
But why do homework over the summer?
Ten years ago, when we began the program, there were a series of factors that led to its implementation. First, in order for our students to remain competitive with students throughout the nation, we discovered that many school districts implement a summer program, many beginning in the elementary school years (and these weren’t private institutions, but public). Second, following an analysis of our standardized test scores, we felt that our students needed a boost in reading comprehension skills. Third, as it says in an online newsletter concerning maintaining academic skills: “Summer shouldn't mean taking a break from learning, especially reading. Studies show that most students experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but those who continue to read actually gain skills. Students should make an effort to sustain reading skills, practice reading, and read for enjoyment, even though school is not in session (LD Online Newsletter)“ (which are facts we find especially compelling). Fourth, that the students entering Advanced Placement classes would be at less of a disadvantage when their peers in other schools are expected to begin summer work once they are registered for their next year’s classes.
These are just a few of many positive factors that we discussed when we determined that this was a program about which we felt strongly. We knew it was going to be a battle, as we increasingly encounter resistance over doing homework during the school year. However, for our students to be academically competitive, they should understand that our school and English department have high expectations for them. As educators, we have a powerful desire for our students to graduate with strong language arts skills, and feel strongly that homework and summer reading serves to reinforce and practice skills learned in the classroom.
As a department, we want to be understanding, while still maintaining the integrity of the program: we provide our “b” trimester students with a copy of the list for the coming summer, we have the assignment included in the registration materials, and posted on the Media Center’s page. At the beginning of each school year, the expectations about summer reading are discussed again on the first day, and testing occurs two weeks from the first day to give the students a sense that they have a safety net. If a student is a transfer to Brighton, as a department we have agreed to discuss the summer reading expectations with the student, give them the list, and perhaps provide them an additional week in order to complete the assignment.
If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Jenn Mattson – [email protected] - who administers the program for our department.