Southern Guilford has Required Summer Reading for ALL Students

Required Summer Reading for ALL Students:

Who has to do summer reading?

EVERYONE!

In previous years, summer reading was only for students taking honors or AP English classes. But we found that this kept a lot of capable students from taking honors level classes because they wanted to avoid the summer project, or posed a problem when a student who had originally been given a regular level class decided to switch to an honors level class at the start of the school year. So, we've redesigned our summer reading projects to be accessible and appropriate for all students at all levels. Every student can benefit from summer reading!

Why do we do summer reading?

Your brain needs exercise just like your body. An athlete who takes the summer off and does no physical activity will have a much harder time getting back into shape at the start of the season; likewise, students who do no mental exercise during the summer will find it harder to readjust to school learning. Summer reading is a simple way to keep your brain active so that you can transition to the next level of English more easily.

But we recognize that summer is also an important time for relaxing, spending time with friends and family, and exploring things that you are interested in as an individual. So this year, our summer reading assignments are focused on engagement rather than assessment. You'll find that the assignment for each group provides choice and flexibility. We encourage you to explore things that interest you within the structures provided by these assignments.

The reading materials for each group of students tie in to the themes and ideas that you will be exploring in your English classes next school year. Reading any of the books from the list will give you a starting point to talk and write about these ideas in your class and with your peers. We hope that the book you read will be thought-provoking, inspiring, relatable, and enjoyable.

Visit our summer reading website at https://bit.ly/43ta8bm or scan the QR code below:

Note: Students taking an AP English course have a different assignment from everyone else. Make sure you select the right option on the website.

 

Bonus - Keep Track of Your Required Summer Reading and Score Big!

 

GCS Summer Break Reading Challenge: 

The Challenge:

Read at least 600 minutes over summer break to receive a free ticket to one Kersey Valley 
attraction. (General Admission to Maize Adventure or Kersey Valley Christmas).

The details: 

Minutes must be read between June 11 and August 23. Minutes must be recorded in Beanstack by Friday, September 4. 

WHAT IS BEANSTACK?
Beanstack makes it easy to track everything you read, whether it’s a book, e-book, 
audiobook, or even the back of the cereal box! See everything you’ve read, share reading 
with friends, and keep your daily reading streak alive. Get motivated to meet your reading 
goals with new reading challenges and virtual badges.

Go to bit.ly/gcsGOALS (case sensitive) and click on the Clever link to begin logging 
your summer reading minutes.

THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!
To use Beanstack on a personal phone or tablet, download the Beanstack app. Once 
you're in the app, choose “At my library, school, or bookstore,” and then search for your 
school. Sign in via Clever and start logging!

MINUTES DUE IN BEANSTACK BY SEPTEMBER 4!
Students who cannot record their minutes over summer break can enter them in 
Beanstack when they return to school in the fall. 

Students may see an interruption in Beanstack access in early August due to school rosters being 
transitioned to the new school year. Any minutes read in August can be logged in Beanstack after the 
first day of school if needed.