Summer Reading

UPPER SCHOOL SUMMER READING: GRADES 9-12

All Westmark students are asked to complete summer reading in order to develop their reading skills, foster connection and engagement with literature, and activate their imagination. The primary goal of the summer reading project is for the students to read as many books as they can as we want to generate excitement about reading. We also want to foster a student’s ability to make meaningful connections to what they read. To facilitate this, students are asked to complete writing assignments on two of the books they read over the summer. Finally, because an assignment of this nature asks students to harness their executive functioning, we are asking them to complete a backward planning document to ensure that they can finish reading at least two books over the summer.

9TH-12TH GRADE SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT

The summer assignment will consist of the following:

Students are encouraged to read at least two books (see below for lists)
Students entering Honors classes must complete at least two books
Students are asked to fill out the backward planning document (see below)
Students must complete all two writing assignments associated with their books:
1. One worksheet (see below)
2. One book report (see below)
*** Some reading students may be asked to maintain a reading log to help them keep track of their daily reading (see Reading Teacher for Logs)

Book Selection

Part One: Book Selection

Over the summer, all students are required to read at least two books of their choice. At least one of these books should be at a students’ reading level- they should be able to decode the book easily and read the book aloud with ease (independent reading level).

Please follow this guideline:

Turn to a page in the middle of a book.
As your student reads aloud, count any errors.
If there are 3 or fewer errors, the book is a good choice.
If there are more than 3 errors, the book may be too difficult to read and understand independently. Listening to an audiobook or having an adult read the book aloud would be recommended.

Both books selected should be of interest to the student, and for the second book students are encouraged to use assistive technology, like Learning Ally, to have access to books that they may not be able to easily read on their own.

Students are encouraged to consult the following book lists when making book selections:

Book Lists and Summer reading recommendations

Students in reading classes will also be working with their reading teachers to select books. If you need additional assistance, please reach out over the summer to the following: Robyn Bridges, Tricia Valli, Marissa DeSiena, Kathy Spielman.

Backward Planning Document: Summer Reading Plan for 9th - 12th Grade

Writing Assignments: Reflection Worksheet & Book Report

Part Three: Writing Assignments

Students entering grades 9-12 are required to complete the worksheet on one of the books that they read over the summer. They must also write a book report about a book that they read. For students entering Honors classes, the worksheet and book report must be on two different books. The result is that the student will be turning in 2 writing assignments on the first day of school:

Completed attached worksheet on one book: US 2021 Summer Reflection Worksheet
Completed book report on a second book: Summer Reading Book Report Organizer

Grading

Grading:

Students will be assessed on the completion of their reading assignment. All students entering grades 9-12 will turn their assignment into the English Teacher on the first day of school.

The worksheet will be graded according to the following criteria:
1. Assignment completion
2. Name on form
3. Title of the book
4. Author of the book
5. All questions answered
Student writes in complete sentences using the Sentence Writing Strategy (described below):
1. Start with a capital letter.
2. Have end punctuation.
3. Have a subject.
4. Have a verb.
5. The sentence makes sense.
Student responses show a thoughtful understanding of the text.
The book reflection is turned-in on time.

The Book Report will be graded according to the following criteria

(5 points each, 30 points total):

Assignment completion
1. Name on form
2. Title of the book
3. Author of the book
4. All questions answered
Student has written 4 paragraphs as assigned (1st paragraph about the beginning of the book, 2nd about the middle, 3rd about the end, 4th personal reflection).
Writes in complete sentences using the Sentence Writing Strategy.
1. Start with a capital letter.
2. Have end punctuation
3. Have a subject.
4. Have a verb.
5. The sentence makes sense.
Responses reference concrete details from the text to show understanding.

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