Jones Middle School

Required Summer Reading Program

2008-2009

About the Program

Fiction Reading Assignment

Nonfiction Reading Assignment

Fiction Reading List

Nonfiction Reading List

Lexile Scores

Summer Reading Strategies

Reluctant Readers

Summer Reading FAQs

Link to Gwinnett Public Library

About the Program

What is the goal of the JMS Summer Reading Program?

Our summer reading program is designed to encourage a lifelong interest in reading. Students can continue to actively read even when school in not in session. Students who read actively and often:

• Experience greater success in school by developing literacy skills
• Develop higher-order thinking skills and sustainable reading habits
• Make connections between the experiences of others and their own personal experiences
• Experience the knowledge and understanding of topics that are of personal interest

All students entering and currently attending Jones Middle School will be required to choose one fiction and one nonfiction book from the provided lists. The lists include a description of the books, where you can find them, the recommended grade levels, the Lexile score, and the number of stars the books received. All of the books are award winning books that were approved by a committee consisting of teachers from various content areas. When the students return in the fall, they will return their completed contract with a parent and student signature on both forms to their language arts teacher. There will be a school wide Summer Reading Celebration during the 3^rd week of school. The students will be accountable for their summer reading assignment in their language arts classes and during the Summer Reading Celebration.

Summer Reading Strategies

Before Reading

• Set aside time and find a quiet place to enjoy your book.
• Set reading goals, such as 20 minutes a day or one hour per week.
• Always preview what you are going to be reading by looking at the table of contents and the book jacket.
• Think about what you already know about the topic area.
• It is okay to be a little confused when you begin a new book; even the best readers struggle to make sense of a new book. Hang in there!

During Reading

• Make predictions as you are reading about what you think will happen next.
• At the end of a chapter, try to summarize in your head about what you have just read.
• Make connections about what you already know and what you are reading about.
• Try to visualize what is going on in the book (as if it is a movie in your head)
• Talk with others about the book and ask questions about new words or meanings.

After Reading

• Complete the summer reading assignment and contract.
• Did your predictions come true?
• Reflect on what you liked and/or disliked about the book
• Would you recommend this book?

Reluctant Readers

The list of titles has been created with a variety of subject areas, reading levels, and student interest levels in mind. Encourage your child to select a book that addresses a topic of interest. Also, read over the options listed in both the fiction and nonfiction lists before making decisions. Some of the books are related in topic area. For example, if the student is interested in learning more about the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793, then Fever 1793 and An American Plague would be related fiction and nonfiction book choices. The fiction and nonfiction choices do not have to be related. Another way to encourage your reluctant reader is through modeling that you value reading. You might even decide to read the book along with your child so that you can have conversations about the book.

Lexile Scores

Lexile scores provide a way to match learners with appropriate reading materials. The following gives a range that may help you to decide which books on the lists will be appropriate for your child. The ranges overlap throughout the grade levels. This should be used as a guide only. It is not required that your student stay within their range.

4^th grade reading levels range from 650-850

5^th grade reading levels range from 750-950

6^th grade reading levels range from 850-1050

7^th grade reading levels range from 950-1075

8^th grade reading levels range from 1000-1100