Summer Reading Program

Summer Reading


Summer reading books are available for check out from all district libraries before the end of the school year.

They are also available at the following locations Bosler Free Library at 158 W. High Street, Carlisle, Amelia Givin Library in Mt. Holly Springs, and at the Army War College. 

               

PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The Carlisle Area School District offers a Summer Reading Program to students in grades 6 through 12. This program is designed to encourage students to continue to read while on summer vacation and to enjoy leisure time reading activities.


READING SELECTIONS:
Students may select a book of their choosing that is appropriately challenging for their grade level. There are many published book lists on the internet that specify books that are appropriate, interesting, and engaging for each grade level. NOTE: If a student participated in Summer Reading during summer 2022, they may not complete projects on the same book(s) they elected to read then.

Students entering 7th-12th grades can choose to check out up to two school library books to use for the summer reading initiative during the last week of the current school year, but they are not limited to selecting a book from the school library. It will be the students’ responsibility to make sure their book(s) are kept safe for the summer. The book(s) will be due by the end of the second week of school upon return to school for the next school year.


GRADE INCENTIVE:
The Summer Reading Program is designed to provide additional marking period grade incentives for students who wish to participate in this optional reading program. The optional Summer Reading Program is designed to positively impact the first marking period and second marking period for students who choose to participate and does not negatively impact the grade for a student who chooses not to participate. Students who participate in the optional Summer Reading Program must demonstrate to their English teacher that they have read the chosen book(s). Students can choose both the book(s) and the manner in which it will be assessed. Students who have demonstrated that they have read the book(s) may receive up to 2 percentage points towards their first or second marking period grade.  Students who complete two summer reading projects may earn up to 4 percentage points.  Percentage points may be applied to the first or second marking period but may not exceed the 2% district-wide extra credit limit for either marking period. A student may not earn over 100% for any class in any marking period. Any project deemed to be plagiarized will not be accepted for credit.  Students who plagiarize will be subject to disciplinary action according to school district policy.

Assessments must be submitted to English teachers by the second Friday of the school year.

ASSESSMENTS: Students who choose to participate in the Summer Reading Program must demonstrate to their English teacher that they have read the chosen book. Students are cautioned to submit original work only; teachers will check written work at turnitin.com. Students may choose from the following assessment opportunities:

  • ESSAY: Submitted essays must be 1-2 pages in length, double-spaced and typed in 12-point font. The essay must demonstrate that the student has read the book and must include specific evidence from the text (quotations or references) that supports a clear thesis statement that explores one or more of the following elements:
    • a theme
    • a character
    • the value or important of the text
    • the impact of the text on a reader
    • a text-to-text, text-to-world, or text-to-self connection
    • the author’s style and its effects
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  • CREATIVE WRITING RESPONSES: The written response must be 1-2 pages in length, double-spaced and word processed in 12-point font. Students may choose from the following list:
  • - an interview with one of the main characters
  • - a prologue to the book
  • - an alternative ending to the book
  • - a newspaper article describing a major incident in the book
  • - a scene within the text re-told through the perspective of a chosen character
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  • A BOOK TALK: Students may choose to complete a book talk for their English class. The book talk must be three to five minutes in length, may be delivered in-person to the student’s English class, or may be recorded and submitted to the teacher. Book talks should include the following components:
    • - a summary of the plot
    • - a description of the setting
    • - a description of the main characters and an explanation of the theme
    • - the student’s personal opinion of the book

     

  • ARTISTIC REPRESENTATIONS: Students may choose to demonstrate their understanding of the book through artistic representations, and should select from the following options:
    • - write and/or record a song
    • - create a collage, poster, or other visual representation
  • Students completing artistic representations must also include a written “creator’s memo” intended to detail the creative choices they made in the creation of their artistic product. The creator’s memo should address the following questions, each within their own paragraph:
  • - What message is the piece attempting to convey?
  • - How does this message relate to the text?
  • - What stylistic or creative choices did you make in order to attempt to convey that message?
  • - What about the text inspired you to respond to it in an artistic/creative fashion?
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