Back to School

While our minds are moving to summer’s relaxing days I would like to take this moment to gently remind everyone of the importance of reading over the summer. While we want our students to rest, grow, and explore new things there are ways to support your student's growth particularly in reading through the days of summer. Data indicates that students who do not read over the summer face a significant loss of skills in reading when they return to school. This phenomenon is so predictable in students who do not read it is called the “summer slump.” So how to avoid this issue but honor the vacation time of the children? A key factor in engaging students in reading and ultimately reading success is building intrinsic motivation within a child. How to achieve this is to encourage and support them in reading books of their choosing that are at a "just right level." This "just right level" is a book that your child can read and discuss with you with passion. Your child might love to read non-fiction, comic books, online resources, or discover new series of books; we urge you to support them as they explore these jewels of text. Remember what you believe is a great book might not be what interests your child.

Along with supporting your child as they find texts that interest them there is much more the adults in their lives can do to support and nurture reading skills over the long summer months.

Be a role model for your child by reading your books, so that students see that you value reading as an enjoyable pastime.
Set aside a time each day for reading, that can be morning, afternoon, or bedtime. A time that that is protected for the pursuit of reading.
Read aloud to your child. Reading aloud to students is just as important when they are in upper elementary as when they were younger. Students can access more complex texts when you read as they can immerse themselves in the story rather than worrying about decoding the words.
Encourage your child to read other forms of literature not just books. They might like to read science or sports magazines or the sports pages of the newspapers.
Read a book and then watch the movie, this provides a rich opportunity for a discussion on which version of the story you each prefer.
Choose audiobooks and then discuss the texts with your child.
Read books together; you read one page, they read another. This shared reading provides an opportunity for your child's understanding of the story to be deeper and more nuanced. Your interest is also a motivator as you are demonstrating the value you place on reading.

(Source pbs.org/parents/, readingrockets.org)

Kindest regards,

Louise Dunn,

Lower School Director

Middle School

Handbook

Middle School Handbook (2019-2020)

School Supplies

6th Grade Supplies (20-21)

7th Grade Supplies (20-21)

8th Grade Supplies (20-21)

Summer Reading

(All of these need to be read before school starts back)

Rising 6th Grade

Magician’s Nephew – C.S. Lewis
-ISBN#9780064405058

Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
-ISBN#9781416936473

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Rising 7th Grade

Paperboy – Vince Vawter
- ISBN #978-0307931511

Island of the Blue Dolphins – S O’Dell
- ISBN #9780547328614

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Rising 8th Grade

The Outsiders – S.E. Hinton
– ISBN #9780142407332

The Giver – Lois Lowry
– ISBN #9780544336261

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Rising 9th Grade

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- ISBN# 9781451673319

Honors (read two)

A Separate Peace by J Knowles
- ISBN # 9780743253970

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
- ISBN# 9781451673319

Middle School Textbooks

Middle School Textbook Information

7th Grade Immunization Requirements

Upper School

Handbook

Upper School Handbook (19-20)

School Supplies

School Supplies List by Teacher

Upper School Textbooks

Upper School Textbook List

Summer Reading

Below are the summer reading assignments for the English department. Please talk with your future English teacher if you have any questions about any assignments.

Upper School Summer Reading List

9th Grade Summer Reading Assignment

10th Grade Summer Reading Assignment

11th Grade Summer Reading Assignment

12th Grade Summer Reading Assignment

12 Grade AP Literature Assignment