Summer Reading Assessment Ideas

[Jill Russell]

I teach high school English and am currently planning my summer reading lists and activities. Anyone got fresh and creative ideas for ways other than boring tests to assess what the kids read?

[Amy]

Set up a Wiki and let them blog about their reading all summer (or Labor Day Weekend!). You can even respond as they write. NCTE also has something called "50 Alternatives to the Book Report"- do a search on the site. Some of the ideas are great for summer reading. We've used them in 10th - 12th grades.
Good luck.

[Jill Russell]

Thanks so much, Amy. A blog is one thing I want to do, and I'll look up the "50 Alternatives."
Jill

[David A. Wood]

I like the idea of the summer blog. I also have my students fill out a response sheet sometimes. Also, I have a list of alternatives to book reports. Both documents could use some reformatting, but here they are.

[Jill Russell]

Thanks, David. I'm printing them off now. I'll share them with the other English teachers at my school.

[David A. Wood]

I hope they help. Let me know of any suggestions your colleagues come up with or changes they make.

Enjoy.

[Trisha Frye]

Hi David,

I truly appreciate your alternatives to book reports. I have taught French for the past 10 years and have recently picked up two ESL English courses in addition to my French classes. Being new to the English department, I have spent this past summer in search of effective methods and activities for teaching ESL English. I would like to use the documents you have provided in some shape or form but do not want to steal something that you have created without crediting your hard work. Would it be ok if I use these for my ESL English classes as long as I cite you as the source?

Thank you,

Trisha Frye

[Claudine]

My district is planning on trying something new this year. Since we use advisory groups (all students are assigned to a small group facilitated by a staff member- they remain with the same staff member all 4 years of high school)- we are going to use the advisory groups for summer reading. First, the group will select the summer reading together. When students return to school, they will participate in a booktalk with their advisory group. No tests, no irrelevant projects- just good open discussion. We feel that this will promote a stronger interest by allowing the groups to select their books. Second, since the entire staff mentors, this is a great way to involve all disciplines rather than just the English department. Finally, the book talks will be a more authentic way of engaging students than a test or project.

[monica burns]

Claudine, I was intrigued by your response when you mentioned advisory groups. How does this work and where can I find some info? How long has your school been doing this? What is your personal assessment of the program? Thanks, Monica

[Alyssa Walloff]

Claudine,

I'm curious to learn more about your advisory program. In what school do you work? Maybe I could research it on your school's website. We also have an advisory program, but I thought it was unusual to have such a program at the high school level. Perhaps it's more common than I thought. I think it's a great idea to have students discuss the book in their advisories.

Thanks!
Alyssa

[Kathleen DiTanna]

Dear Jill,
I teach 4th grade but perhaps you could also use this idea. Next week (Aug.5) I am meeting with my last year's class at the public library from 6:30-8:00pm. The students are to bring their favorite books they read this summer. After the initial warm-up, each student and I will give a quick book talk. My husband or another teacher will be filming/taking pictures of the students and their books during this time. A few of the students and I will put this Book Club night on my school website. The students can then send me any other books they read with a little blurb written by them to put on our website. (I might use the wiki idea given below.) When we are finished I will give them a summer reading survey (I modified) for my own information. We will then walk across the street to get pizza.
I also want to invite my new class(2009-10) to do the same thing (book talk,survey) at the library right before school opens. (I don't have my class list yet.) The only difference with my new class is I want them to also make a short iMovie using their favorite books they read. We will do this once we start school.
I did this twice last year and my class loved it and were really motivated to read. I included the survey just in case you wanted it.
Kathy DiTanna

[Laura McGinley]

Scrapbooking the book! Each page covers something yu want to make sure they "got" from the book.

[Jordan Tesher]

I work with middle school children, so it may be a bit different but I like to use rewards for my students. This helps to motivate them, and I usually have a pizza party or something after all the tests are completed. The assessments can definitely be a bore, but if you can make it a little more exciting with a reward, it may make your week a lot easier. Atlas Group - Filtrete - Ukf8001axx