School's Out! Reading IS IN!
APS Summer 2015 Reading Challenge Informational
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What are the benefits of Summer Reading? Research tells us that students who read over the summer show improved reading comprehension, increased vocabulary, and enhanced independent learning skills. While helping students prepare for the upcoming school year, summer reading also prevents “summer slide” the regression of skills that takes place during the summer months while students are not in school.
2.What is the objective of the School’s Out: Reading is In! summer reading program? APS wants students to develop enhanced reading skills. When they return to school, students will be able to discuss books that their fellow students will also have read. In addition, we want to expose students to great books that they may not otherwise read during the school year.
3.When will schools receive the books? All traditional and nontraditional APS schools will receive books during the week of May 11th.
4.How will we distribute the books? Each student in grades K-11 will receive four (4) books. Each grade level has a designated booklist. Current 6-11th grade students will receive books that are aligned with the upcoming school year. For example, current 5th graders will receive the rising 6th grade level books. The books will not be collected. These books are for the students to keep.
5.How will we keep track of the books? Each school will develop a Summer Reading Checkout Form, which will include a list of books and the student, parent, or guardian’s signature that the books were received. Each school has identified a contact person for summer reading to oversee this the Summer Reading Kick-off Process and Book Checkout Forms. The contact person will send a scanned copy of the completed Checkout Form to the Summer Reading Program Committee by June 1. (More information to come.)
6.How will students transferring in from other school districts have access to the books? Students transferring from other APS traditional schools will receive their books from their previous school. New students or students transferring from other districts, will need to secure a copy of the books prior to the new school year. Schools will provide the summer reading booklist to incoming transfer students upon registration and link the summer reading web address (www.atlantapublicschools.us/summerreading) to the school’s webpage. In addition, teachers should include the summer reading list in their syllabus.
7.How will we assess the summer reading books? In their Summer Reading backpack, students will receive a Summer Reading Journal and ThinkSheets for each book. Each student must read and complete assignments for at least two (2) books. Students will turn their summer reading assignments in to their English Language Arts homeroom teacher by Friday, August 14, 2015. The Office of Literacy will work in collaboration with each school's ELA department to provide certificates of completion for each student.
In order to satisfy the summer reading program requirement, all students must complete two summer reading assignments. The school-based instructional leadership team will decide the type of credit or incentives students for which students are eligible.
All students will be assessed on an on-demand writing assignment within the first few weeks of school. The assessment will be passage-based and may include an excerpt from one of the four summer reading books.
Students will participate in regular discussions of the assigned work(s) in their English class throughout the school year.
Teacher developed projects, tests, quizzes, and homework assignments throughout the year will ask students to draw on their summer reading experience and make connections to works being studied in class.
8.Are there incentives to encourage students to read during the summer? There are a number of incentive programs to encourage summer reading. Help spread the word about the following list of incentives to encourage students to read over the summer:
Pizza Hut Book It Program http://www.bookitprogram.com/
Barnes & Noble's summer reading program is called Imagination's Destination. The free booklet is available in English and Spanish, and includes activities related to books. Readers who read and record eight (8) books can choose one from a list to receive for free.
Scholastic's Summer Challenge asks kids to log their reading minutes to earn rewards. The challenge is to beat last year's 64,213,141 reading minutes and set a new world record! The 20 schools with the most minutes will be featured in Scholastic's Book of World Records.
Book Adventure from Sylvan helps kids find books, offers quizzes on what they have read and enables kids to earn prizes for their reading success. The online site includes sections for kids, teachers and parents.
Chuck E. Cheese:https://www.chuckecheese.com/_content_assets/files/pdf/Rewards%20Calendars%201.2.14/ReadingRewards_RC_1213.pdf
Books a Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/summerreading
Pottery Barn Summer Reading Challenge: http://freebies.about.com/od/summer-reading-program/p/pottery-barn-summer-reading-challenge.htm
Half Priced Books: http://hpb.com/fyb/started/
Summer Reading Kickoff Videos!
Here are some great inspirational videos to encourage your students to read over the summer. You might choose to show these videos in a large or small forum to engage your students.
Click here to access Scholastic's playlist of inspirational reading videos for all grade levels.
Where Can I Find More Videos & Resources
Have your student watch the following videos to peak their interests around some of the titles on our summer reading booklist.
Use Booktrailers http://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?go=1&resource=Booktrailer
Inspire with Celebrity Reading Advocates Read Every Day PSA
Dr. Alisha Hill
6-12 Literacy Coordinator
ELA SharePoint: http://tinyurl.com/apsELAsite
Remind Updates: Text @aps612 to (678) 866-1954
Email: arhill@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Website: atlanta.k12.ga.us
Phone: 404-802-2702
Twitter: @DrAlishaHill