Summer Work Packet for School

[EthansMom]

DS7 had his last day of school today. I searched his backpack and didn't find his summer packet. So, I called the school and was told the kids just have to read a lot (recommended reading list came home two or three days ago) this summer. I had been teasing DS7, telling him that I was going to send his teachers a note saying, "Give DS7 a huge packet of schoolwork because he doesn't want to have any fun this summer!" Guess I jinxed him in reverse.

Two years ago, my nephew was going into 3rd grade at our school (same teacher) and had an enormous summer packet to complete. Last year, the school made the summer packets much smaller. And this year, it's just reading. While we do a lot of educational enrichment (DS7 is taking a two week chemistry summer camp and we'll visit the Statue of Liberty and American Museum of Natural History this summer), it's nice not HAVING to complete specific projects.

 

[Cindy B]

That is good for your son. My kids have to do reading projects. DD has to read a book on the Holocaust and be ready to discuss it in September. DS has to read Animal Farm and another book and do a 5-6 page paper...

 

[DizBelle]

I don't understand this concept of assigned work during the summer. Isn't summer supposed to be a break? What about the kids that are moving to the area this summer and would not have gotten this assignment? Are they just going to get a failing grade for the work?

 

[mamacatnv]

I used to toss the summer packets (until High School AP that was different)

When DS was in elem. we never received a packet - he was on a traditional school calendar. DD went to the same Elem. but the school went multi track year round and DD was sent home with packets over every break. I threw them away, it was her break not a time for the school to play catch up.

If questioned I always wrote a note or called the teacher, they usually agreed with me, it was not their choice it was the Principals idea to help boost reading levels. Okay, I get it but DD was reading way above grade level, we never got any further grief.

Now DD is at a Charter School with a much higher academic standard and when the kids were let out for their summer break they didn't have a single thing to do other than enjoy their summer and have fun!
The way IMO it should be.

 

[EthansMom]

I used to toss the summer packets (until High School AP that was different)

One of the reasons I called the school is DS7's teacher for next year (we have one class per grade so I already know who his teacher will be) is a REAL stickler for having schoolwork done completely and turned in promptly. I didn't want to get DS on her bad side by not finishing any summer work.

In the past, the summer work packets haven't been onerous... list the books the student read, a few math pages, a few writing/journal pages.

 

[Ohiodislover]

The only summer work for my 4th grader this year, was a recommendation to join the summer reading program that the library offers. The kids do get extra credit for returning w/ the certificate, and then they all get pics taken in the free t-shirts. This is different than in past years. There has always been more.

My middle schooler has to read, and do a report on both a fiction, and non-fiction book, but they are not required to turn them in until Oct 1, so that doesn't even HAVE to be done. I require her to have it done before school though.

 

[ajk912]

We didn't have one either this year and I am SOOOO glad!!!! I double checked with my neighbors just to make sure my goofball kids didn't "accidently" on purpose leave it at school. They didn't get on either! Just the reading log this summer, that I can handle!!

We do workbooks at home to keep them from forgetting too much, and I would MUCH rather do that..instead of worrying about doing the required work.

 

[Becky2005]

We've never had summer assignments and no way would I have my kids do it anyway.

I have one who goes to summer school as it is, no way would I pile on "summer packet" work ON TOP of his going to school 4 days/week for 1/2 days for most of his summer.

The only way I would do that is if one of them was taking Honors English in HS because I know there is a summer reading assignment for that but since Honors English isn't even a blip on the radar for any of my kids (at least not yet, who knows about the youngest). I'm not worrying about it.

My oldest reads above grade level anyway, so reading isn't an issue, she usually reads tons of books but the minute she has to read them and stop to answer questions/worksheets about it, forget it. She's done with it and can't stand to read the book then. She hates having to stop/start, stop/start reading like that.

 

[RitaZ.]

My DD (6th grader) and DS (8th grader) have assigned reading for the summer. It's just one book and they will best tested on the stories when the school year begins.

 

[Mermaid02]

I'd throw it out.

 

[Michelle67]

I'm glad your son is going to get a break this summer. I'm another one who would toss the summer work packet right into the garbage. High school honors students, sure. Elementary school kids? NO way.

 

[torinsmom]

Our school sent home packets for our rising kindergarteners(this year's Pre-K's), but it was more of an option b/c a lot of parents were asking how to help their child prepare. We also do phonics/reading comprehension workbooks during the year and I told them they could take their current one home if they wanted(each child works at his/her own pace). I surely dont' expect the packets back and let the parents know that.

For some schools, it may be budget related that they didn't send home packets. I know our school almost ran out of paper before the year ended and did not have funding for more.

Marsha

 

[KiminChicago]

My kids used to ask for summer school work! We always brought them the GRASP (Grand Rapids Academic Summer Program) booklets for both reading and math, at their request. We'd send the pages in faithfully each week to be graded and at the end of the summer, each child would get the medal for scores of 80% or better. Then we got a new principal and the booklets weren't offered anymore, so for a while we bought the bridging books at the bookstore. That didn't last as long because the kids had no incentive to finish them.

Doing summer work seems to have helped them since both DS was in both advanced math and advanced literature courses for 6th grade and DD was in the Mindstretchers honors course for 4th grade.

This summer they both have book series that they've started and are planning on reading over the summer. I'm just thrilled that both my kids are turning out to be readers!