7.10 - Summer Reading
7.10 - Summer Reading
SERIES 7 - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Liberty’s Charter states, "Because television viewing is diametrically opposed to reading, may stifle cognitive development and imagination, trivializes information, undermines values, distorts cause and effect, and is unable to portray thought, the School will discourage excessive (greater than 10 hours per week) viewing." Our Charter explains that Liberty will encourage students to replace non-instructional television watching with activities that will foster the development of imagination and skills, such as reading.
According to our Charter, "The development of literacy will be one of the primary aims and focuses of effort in the School. This will include a great deal of reading from a variety of both fiction and non-fiction primary literature. Particularly in the early grades, the School will emphasize reading and more reading." Finally, the Board acknowledges that nationwide teachers observe a decline in student reading ability over the summer.
The administration, Board of Directors, and faculty all agree it is critical for our students to read quality literature during the summer to help prepare them for the demands of the Core Knowledge sequence for the upcoming year. In addition to keeping our student's skills sharp, it is our hope that students will develop a desire to read for pleasure and begin to think of themselves as readers.
For all of these reasons, the school will implement a summer reading program. Books selected for summer reading should expose children to literature with a rich use of language that they might not otherwise encounter. The books should help to nudge students toward a higher level, not just in matters of syntax and vocabulary, but also in sophistication of plot, character development, conflict and resolution, etc.
The books for students entering kindergarten through 3rd grade are intended to be read to the child by the parent (or another capable adult). Students entering 4th grade and up should be capable of reading the books themselves. The reading will provide a common foundation for class discussion as students begin the new school year. Teachers will determine what is expected from the students to demonstrate they have completed the summer reading.
The Board will appropriate funds to purchase all of the required books on the Great Books list.
Adopted: 05-15-2003
Amended: 06-03-2004
Amended: 12-03-2011
Amended: 01-18-2018