Summer Reading Brochure by Charlotte Christian School

2011 Summer Reading Program

Table of Contents Why Read Throughout the Summer?........................................................................1 Lower School Instructions.............................................................................................2 Reading Record...........................................................................................3 Directions for Locating Leveled Book Lists.............................................4 Favorite Series.............................................................................................5 Favorite Authors...........................................................................................6 Multicultural Authors of Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s & Young Adult Literature...............................................................................6 Middle School Instructions & Required Reading...............................................................7 Award Winning Books................................................................................8 Upper School Instructions........................................................................................9 Required Reading List..............................................................................10 Optional but Recommended List............................................................11 Theatre Optional but Recommended List.............................................11 These books can be found at the public library, Borders, Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other book stores. For questions, please contact Media Center Director Mrs. Marcia Craig at (704) 366-5657, ext. 6601. Variations from this list must be approved by Mrs. Craig.

Why Read Throughout the Summer? Researchers have confirmed what you may have observed as a parent - that children differ widely in how much they read. Some children are voracious readers who keep a flashlight by the bed while other children believe that reading is a painful experience devised by adults who just don’t understand all that life has to offer. Researchers have also shown that students who read consistently and widely develop fluency, a rich and useful vocabulary, expand their knowledge of God’s world, other people, historical events, and culture. Most significantly, reading is a fundamental skill that positively correlates with academic achievement. Simple reading is important but is not enough. Chall, Jacobs, and Baldwin (1990) emphasize that challenging but comprehensible reading materials need to be the primary portion of students’ reading diets. Reading easy, entertaining, enjoyable books or an “old favorite” is appropriate but should be considered an occasional treat. We encourage students, with parent help and direction, to choose books to read that appeal to their interests. Students are encouraged to read with purpose—to learn or for pleasure. We also advocate designating some reading time each day throughout the summer and school year. The quantity of thought-provoking supplementary books that are beneficial for students preparing themselves for college grows every year. Students can use the summer months to their advantage by reading a wide variety of books. Upper school students may be able to include their thoughts and reflections about books that have impressed them as part of college essays. All choices for summer reading are personal for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Students in grades 6 - 12 have required and/or optional reading selections. Expectations are explained on the following pages. Thank you for encouraging your children to read. Chall, J., B.Jacobs, and L. Baldwin. “The Reading Crisis.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1990.

Lower School Instructions

Theme:

“Bee A Reader”

Purpose:

For lower school students, reading consistently throughout the summer months allows them to learn new vocabulary and broaden their perspectives while maintaining reading gains made throughout the school year. We encourage every student to read at least three books that appeal to his/her interests.

Incentives: To encourage reading, the media center will offer incentives to readers. To earn these incentives, please follow these directions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

To earn an incentive, students must read at least three books. Record ALL the books you read this summer. A reading record is on the website and the next page. Parents, please sign the reading record beside the book title. Please bring your summer reading record to school on the first day of school in August 2011. You may turn your reading record in to your classroom teacher. Teachers will submit the reading records to the media center. READING RECORDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATER THAN FRIDAY, SEPT. 2, 2011.

Students who read at least three books will earn a sticker. Additional and/or different incentives will be provided for students who read 10 or more; 20 or more; and 40 or more books. So “Bee A Reader” this summer.

Family values vary widely in a diverse faith community. We recommend that families read together so that family values can be reiterated when reading and discussing characters and their attitudes and behaviors. Reading as a family benefits students in several ways. Students retain information better when they have an opportunity to discuss (retell) what they have learned or experienced by reading. Students can ask questions about unfamiliar concepts or vocabulary. Explanations will foster additional learning that becomes new background knowledge. This new background knowledge can be used for making connections to even more new learning in the future 2

Name:_________________________________________________ Date: __________________

Book Title: _______________________________________________________________