Poll: Are summer reading lists necessary?
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In our last poll, we asked you to tell us what you think about your school’s physical education program. Almost a third of respondents told us it was great, but nearly 50 percent think there’s room for improvement. In her introductory post, our new blogger Bronx Mom said that the lack of satisfactory physical education facilities was one factor that lead her to look outside of her district for schools. Thanks for your comments on her post and on our poll!
One parent told us: “Physical education is given in the cafeteria. Kids only get it once a week and all the supplies including balls are paid for by the PTA, because there isn’t enough money in the budget to cover that stuff. Upper grades have recess in the street because the yards are too small to accommodate everyone.”
Elizabeth, a NYC public high school teacher said that large gym class sizes and short class length are a huge problem. She noted, however, that she’s thankful her school offers rigorous dance and yoga classes. ” These make physical fitness an integrated part of students’ lives - doing things that are active but that students are also invested in,” she said.
Marge cited the need for physical fitness opportunities outside of schools: “Let’s do all we can for kids while they are at school, but our society needs to address some of the imbalances outside of school as well, like affordable summer camps and sports programs and after school activities that allow for adequate physical exercise and making neighborhoods safer so kids can play outside.”
This week, we’d like to know whether you think school’s should require summer reading. Vote now, and add your comments below!
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Should they be required to read? Absolutely. Should the school tell the kids which books to read? No. It’s the summer! Let the kids read whatever they think is fun. Give guidelines about how much to read, suggested books are fine, but teachers at my son’s school tend to pick “important” books about teen angst that my kid has no interest in. Summer should be a time for pleasurable reading, whatever that means to your kid.
Comment by Downtown Mom — July 31, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
I agree with Downtown mom that kids should be able to read what they enjoy, especially since the goal is to keep them reading and exercising their minds. However, I also believe that lists can work for middle and high school students as long as the students have some choice and there is a wide variety.
Comment by Bronx mom — July 31, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
I think they shouldn’t give them a mandatory summer reading list. It should be like a over the summer extra credit. Students tend to slack off in the summer so once they hear read and summer in the same sentence they roll their eyes and do something else. Also if it’s mandatory, some students, if not most, won’t do it and their grades would drop. Also that they should pick the book they want. Teachers usually give the ONLY BORING books that I’ll rather blow my brain out then read the book.
Comment by Student [= — August 3, 2009 @ 3:22 am
I think this will be a GREAT idea ! My best friend and i were talking about school earlier and we noticed that alot of kids forget most of the things they’ve learned in school in the summer . We can atleast get that … right ? It wouldnt hurt us . =)
Comment by Yenderlie — August 5, 2009 @ 7:43 am
Please edit the first comment in this string. It seems to be by a student and names another student in a very negative manner. I don’t think that sort of thing should be this website. I respect the civility I encounter on Inside schools and would like to see it continue.
Comment by bklynmom — August 5, 2009 @ 3:55 pm
I think kids shouldn’t be required to read because it’s the SUMMER!!! Summer is like a time where you could do whatever you want. Kids shouldn’t be forced to read during the summer. Some kids don’t like to read! My daughter is going to Mark Twain this September for 6th grade and she already has homework from the school! Can’t kids get a break around here?
Comment by Downtown Mom — August 5, 2009 @ 5:27 pm
Thanks, bklynmom for bringing that to our attention; the comment has been removed.
Comment by Insideschools — August 6, 2009 @ 10:49 am
I have found that when my children are asked to read one or two “required” books they typically drag their feet, then much to their surprise find that they love the books. The required books are typically ones that they would not pick up on their own. These books have exposed them to authors, genres or subject matter that is unfamiliar to them, opening them up to a new area of interest. I think asking a student to read one or two books like this hardly infringes upon their summer-and is a great jumping off point for the books they will be expected to be reading during the school year.
Comment by momof2 — August 7, 2009 @ 12:08 pm