Comments on: Poll: Are summer reading lists necessary?

By: momof2

momof2 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:08:16 +0000

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.

By: Insideschools

Insideschools — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:49:32 +0000

Thanks, bklynmom for bringing that to our attention; the comment has been removed.

By: Downtown Mom

Downtown Mom — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:27:41 +0000

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?

By: bklynmom

bklynmom — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:55:23 +0000

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.

By: Yenderlie

Yenderlie — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:43:59 +0000

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 . =)

By: Student [=

Student [= — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:22:35 +0000

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.

By: Bronx mom

Bronx mom — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 00:46:34 +0000

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.

By: Downtown Mom

Downtown Mom — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:12:08 +0000

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.