Milwee Literacy NightHow to Keep Your Gears Turning

During the Summer

Students who don’t engage in educational activities during the summer lose between one and three months of learning every

year on an average!

In reading, the loss is cumulative; by the end of sixth grade, students who

lose their reading skills over the summer will be as much as two full

years behind their classmates.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #1 – Let your children choose▪ The books your children are drawn to might not be your

favorites, but don’t criticize their choices. Reading is reading. Show your children that you respect their judgement and accept their preferences. If they are reluctant to read, allowing them some control over what they read can go a long way towards increasing their motivation.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #2 – Help them find reading they will like

▪ What are they interested in? Connect that to reading. Find books, magazines or articles on their favorite topics. Look at different formats that might be more accessible to kids with learning and attention concerns such as graphic novels or eBooks with auto support.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #3 – Model Reading▪ The more your children see you

reading, the more likely they are to do it as well. As middle schooler’s, they may resist doing what you TELL them, but will likely imitate what they see you do. If you’ve struggled with reading, talk to them about your experiences and strategies you’ve used to overcome.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #4 – Read Together▪ Set aside a designated time when your whole family can turn

off the TV and read. This can help reinforce how important reading is for everyone – and help make it a habit.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #5 – Keep it Light▪ If your middle schooler struggles with reading, help make the

task less threatening. Keep things positive. Validate your children’s choices, and notice and praise progress as you see them reading.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #6 – Find a Compelling Series▪ Encourage your children to read the first book in a series. If

they get hooked on the first book, they can follow the same characters/theme in subsequent books.

▪ This is great motivation for reluctant readers to pick up another book right after they finished the first one.

▪ Reading books in the same series can help motivate middle schoolers with learning or attention concerns by alleviating anxiety.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #7 – Give Books as Gifts▪ Be mindful of school book fairs. This is a great resource to

purchase books. Garage sales are great as well.

▪ Every so often, surprise your children with fun books – little presents out of the blue. This helps create the sense that books are exciting and fun!

Book Give Away!

Surprise!

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #8 – Engage in Meaningful Discussions

▪ Middle school students want to feel grown up and mature. Treat your children that way and they will likely rise to the occasion. Ask higher level thinking questions about the books they read. Debate different points of view.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #9 – Explain how reading

will help your children pursue their passion

▪ Kids who are frustrated with school often ask, “Why do I need to learn this?” When it comes to reading, the answer to this question is this: You need to learn to read in order to learn.

Ten Ways to Encourage Your Middle Schooler to Read

▪ #10 – Link reading to your children’s social life

▪ Leverage your children’s interest in social media and texting. Even if the content isn’t educational, these formats can give your children reading practice in a way that doesn’t feel like work.

(UNDERSTATTON.ORG USA LLC.)

LOUISE BAIGELMAN, M. Ed.

▪ Dr. Pattie Reda

▪ Summer Enrollment

▪ Monday-Thursday, closed Friday

▪ Students must attend the full day

▪ Project-based Learning

▪ Personal Enrichment

▪ Field Trips

21st Century TutorialSummer Program

Seminole County Libraries

Mrs. Diana Long – PTSA Reflections Chair

▪ Each rising 6th grader will need to read and analyze a novel over the summer. Students may choose any book from the Sunshine State Readers list for Grades 6-8 from 2015-2016 or 2016-2017.

▪ Once your child has read the novel, they will need to answer from a variety of questions. Students need to earn at least the minimum required points for their rising grade level course placement.

Milwee’s Summer Reading Assignments: 6th Grade

Course Placement Required Point Total

Standard 15

Advanced 23

Pre-IB 30

▪ Each rising 7th grader will need to read and analyze a novel over the summer. Standard and advanced students may choose any book from the 2016 – 2017 Sunshine State Readers list for Grades. Pre-IB/Gifted students will read the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling.

▪ Once your child has read the novel, they will need to answer from a variety of questions. Students need to earn at least the minimum required points for their rising grade level course placement.

Milwee’s Summer Reading Assignments: 7th Grade

Course Placement Required Point Total

Standard 20

Advanced 28

Pre-IB 35

▪ Each rising 7th grader will need to read and analyze a novel over the summer. Standard and advanced students may choose any book from the 2016 – 2017 Sunshine State Readers list for Grades. Pre-IB/Gifted students may choose any grade level/age appropriate novel.

▪ Once your child has read the novel, they will need to answer from a variety of questions. Students need to earn at least the minimum required points for their rising grade level course placement.

Milwee’s Summer Reading Assignments: 8th Grade

Course Placement Required Point Total

Standard 25

Advanced 33

Pre-IB 40

▪ The first week of school’s ELA curriculum will revolve around Summer Reading

▪ Team Building and Class Building/Socratic Seminars will require knowledge of the books to participate

▪ Celebrations▪ Keep students reading and thinking

about literature!

Teacher’s Expectations Regarding Summer Reading

▪ Be sure to pick up a Summer Reading Handout

• RISING STUDENTS

• 6, 7, 8

▪ Specific Summer Reading questions can be addressed by our grade level teachers