[LM_NET] HIT: HS Summer Reading Programs

[Mary Ann Nannen <mnannen@ROE53.K12.IL.US>]

Thank you to all who contributed to my search for information concerning summer 
reading programs. There were more requests for information than responses.

The original post: Our high school English department is looking into high school 
level summer reading programs.  The interest is to increase the exposure to 
literature that students get while freeing the curriculum a little. Does anyone 
have samples of programs that have been implemented and the rationale?

Response 1: 

contact the Virginia VEMA list serv, you will find a group of English teachers/LMS 
that collaborated on a summer reading program for their HS.

I did make contact with Wendy Edelman, one of the presenters 
wedelman@hanover.k12.va.us

We're still working on "fixing" our summer reading program. As we begin planning 
for next year, we've decided to eliminate all of the classics.
Finally, we're hoping to make our summer reading discussion a school-wide event, 
with every teacher leading a discussion and every child engaged at one time versus 
this year when we broke up discussions over two weeks during each class period.

She shared attachments and handouts.

Response 2:

Last summer we started a new program where the English department assigns 2 books 
for every grade, and then all the other departments submit a list from which 
students pick a "free choice" book for their third summer book selection.  The way 
we "assess" the reading of the third book is to have students post to a course 
management application, and address three general questions about the book they 
chose to read.
Students seem to like the change, and it allows kids to read books in other subject 
areas, not usually classified as literature.
Sue Smith
Upper School Librarian
The Harker School
San Jose, CA




Mary Ann Nannen
Washington Community High School Library
Washington, Illinois

mnannen@roe53.k12.il.us

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