Why Summer Reading?
A Fun and Dynamic Learning Experience
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If you’re wondering why Summer Reading was created, as well as why it’s so important that students read over the summer, you’ve come to the right place.
Why should students read over the summer?
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There is a wealth of research that studies the effects of a phenomenon known as “summer learning loss.” In short, students who don’t read over the summer enter September with lower skills than they ended the previous school year with in June. Over the course of several years, this effect compounds itself — creating big gaps in students’ literacy levels.
In the past, we’ve surveyed parents, students, and teachers about their sentiments toward summer reading. Some interesting data from our most recent (2017) survey:
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The majority of respondents (70%) expressed that summer reading should be implemented in some form.
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The majority of respondents indicated that student choice should be embedded into a summer reading program.
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The majority of respondents (63%) expressed that “maintaining content skills” is a primary benefit of summer reading. (“Encouraging a love of learning” came in second place.)
Community Surveys
More Data!
Beyond reading heaps of high quality research and surveying parents, teachers, and students, we also conducted data analyses of our own. We compared pre-summer and post-summer reading levels for Roxbury students who completed summer reading and those who did not, and we found the same trends in the data. Students who completed summer reading saw increases in their literacy skills, while students who did not complete summer reading saw significant losses.
So here’s what we know for sure, and here are the guiding design principles behind Summer Reading Rox:
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Students who don’t read over the summer see a drop in literacy levels. This is bad for students in the short-term, and even worse for students in the long-term. (When we analyzed our own students in Roxbury, we found the same trends in the data.) If we want what’s best for our students, they must read over the summer.
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“Choice” is incredibly important. This was indicated in both parent and student surveys, and is reflected in scholarly research on student motivation and engagement. Students of all ages and ability levels value the opportunity to choose what they read and how they read it, especially over summer break.
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We want our students to love reading. Over 400 of our Spring 2017 survey respondents expressed that fostering a love for reading and learning should be at the forefront of our summer reading program. This same desire was expressed by a cohort of 8th-grade students who collaborated to improve summer reading. An affinity for reading has been central to the work Roxbury’s ELA / English teachers have been doing to inspire students to read often and on their own terms (e.g. the “Book Love” initiative). We also know that students who love reading typically read what interests them (CHOICE!), and read abundantly (HIGHER LITERACY LEVELS!).
Freedom of Choice
Roxbury also subscribes to the NCTE Position Statement regarding "The Students' Right to Read." For more information click here.
Dear EMS and RHS Students,
Unfortunately, due to Microsoft’s recent purchase of Flip (previously known as Flilpgrid), as of July 1, 2024, no new content can be uploaded to the site. Because of these changes, Flip can no longer host our summer assignment.
The good news is you can still demonstrate your reading and completion of a summer assignment. You may:
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Still record and share a Book Talk
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Create a digital One-Pager to summarize and analyze (samples and templates here)
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Share a collection of “Jots” (aka ideas on post-it notes)
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Journal about plot, character, and theme development (this sample is long but you can get ideas here)
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Write a well-developed answer to one of these questions related to a theme you find interesting.
Please note, you only need to complete one assignment (of your choice) to earn credit. You may still read a book from our suggested list or select a choice book of your own.
If you were able to finish your assignment prior to the July 1st closure of Flip, you can still share your recorded “Book Talk” with your ELA teacher when school begins.
Please keep in mind that all assignments are due at the start of the school year. Additionally, English 1 Honors, AP Seminar, AP Literature, and College Writing assignments are unaffected by these changes; those assignments remained unchanged.
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If you have additional questions or concerns please contact Eric Schmidt at eschmidt@roxbury.org or ext. 1293.