School may be almost out for summer, but that doesn’t mean that Faux Illiteracy (a condition in which students “forget” to how to read over the summer ) or its cousin, Lazy Slothfulness, should be indulged. No, indeed. All the last day of school means is that it’s time for kids to find their happy reading place and re-learn the fun of reading for pleasure. True, a couple of required reading titles must be wedged in there, but these good-for-you tomes shouldn’t be dreaded as a form of force-feeding. WPS teachers and librarians have put long thought into what makes a riveting summer read. So have faith kids, and don’t forget to bring along a few good books to camp, or on family vacation, or to the Cape or lake house, or wherever it is the long, lazy days of summer will find you.
Generally, at the middle school each student must read two books of their choice, and each grade has an assignment attached to those books. At the high school level the book depends on which class the student is taking, while at the elementary level there is an entire website with pull-down menus for picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and more.
Summer reading, Wellesley elementary schools
Elementary school students are encouraged to keep a list of some of their summer reading titles and to read approximately 30 minutes per day. You can access the entire elementary schools summer reading list here. The titles on the extensive list was put together by a dream team of library teachers representing each of the seven elementary schools in town.
Summer reading, Wellesley Middle School
There are three WMS summer reading lists, one for entering sixth graders, one for entering seventh graders, and one for entering eighth graders. Each list has an assignment on the final page. School librarian Sarah Chessman has assembled a list of genres such as realistic, historical, graphic, action, adventure, non-fiction, and much more.
Summer reading, Wellesley High School
WHS students are required to read the text assigned for their specific English course plus one book of their choice. At the start of the year, their English teacher will explain how summer reading will be assessed. Some examples of possible assessments are in-class essays, a Socratic seminar, a test, or a book review. Some teachers have provided a study guide or reading questions, which can be found at the links provided. See Guide to Success in English for general active reading strategies. Here’s a link to the Wellesley High School summer reading list.
Summer reading, St. John School
Summer reading, Tenacre Country Day School
Just for fun, I’ll list the titles of the WHS summer reading list. How many look familiar from your school days, and how many have you read, parents and guardians?
Wellesley High School summer reading titles
Grade 12
Different Seasons, Stephen King
On Writing, Stephen King
The Namesake, Jhumpa Lahiri
The Autobiography of Malcolm S: As Told to Alex Haley
The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
Nervous Conditions, Tsitsi Dangarembga
Summer Engagement, Evolutions program
Grade 11
American Born Chinese, Gene Yang
The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, Wes Moore
1984, George Orwell
Grade 10
Dear Martin, Nic Stone
Everything I Never Told You, Celeste Ng
The Bean Trees, Barbara Kingsolver
Where the Red Fern Grows, Wilson Rawls
Grade 9
Dear Martin, Nic Stoen
Bless Me, Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya
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