Do your kids get required summer reading? (Inspired by buzzlady)

[tar heel]

Our children used to be at a private independent school and were required to read one or two (depending on grade level) specifically assigned books plus five books they chose from a list. They had specific assignments to do on each, and I think there may have been a test on the common books. Some of the books assigned in middle school were a stretch in my opinion, even for very bright kids (and my older child would be described that way).

Our public high school honors English classes requires a book and a test is given on it the first week of school. Students who have English second semester instead of first also take the test then and the grade is carried over. The test counts 15% of the total semester grade and a bad score can easily lower the students' grade by a letter -- something my son learned the hard way last year.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

DD5 has a paper I have to fill out where they are supposed to read a book a week before 1st grade next year. They also have 200 sight words to learn. It makes for a busy summer, but in the long run is worth it.

 

[stacilee]

Our kids have to read at least two "Medal" books (Newberry, Caldecott etc. ) this summer. They must be at or above their grade level - not below.
By the end of the first week of school they have to have a book report form filled out on each book. The questions answered in paragraph form, have to deal with characterization, voice, theming, conflicts, resolution etc.

Our kids read all the time so that is not a hurdle. What is, is when they give a list of crummy books that you HAVE to choose from! I am happy that this year it is more relaxed.

I just remembered that my 3rd grader- going into fourth- has to read a book that is in some way connected to the civil war for social studies. A good one for that -but really sad- is "My Brother Sam is Dead".

 

[Otto's Doll]

My kids have been assigned reading homework over the summer as long as they have been in school. Some years they get a list to choose from, then they must take a test (Accelerated Reader) at the school on the books, or they can do a project or report relating to the book. Some years the books have been sent home on the last day of school and then they must do an outline or short question/answer sheet on the books. Usually they have to do 5 such projects.
I guess this is a district policy, since all 4 elementary schools participate.

DS also had the same teacher for 2 years (they looped for 3rd and 4th grade) and she assigned homework over the summer between 3rd and 4th that was graded as the first two marks of the new quarter. My son did a report on dinosaurs and a summer long journal.

The books sent home are on the grade level the kids are in, or between that level and the next one.

 

[Lynn CC]

Yes, since 2nd grade DS has had summer reading.
Now he is going to be a Senior in HS and he still has 2 books with reports due and mailed to teacher by Aug.
Then he gets to read for enjoyment for the rest of the summer, which he looks forward to!

 

[buzzlady]

In our school required summer reading starts for 3rd going into 4th grade. My DS8 has one more year. DS12 must read one of the novels that I posted, in addition to one other book and do a daily reading log and define 33 literary terms. It's going to be a LONG summer. In the past all he had to do was read one simple book and do a book report.