Canton High School 2009 Summer Reading
Dear Parents/Guardians and Students:
The English Language Arts Department is pleased to announce a new format for summer reading. In order to help engage all readers, we are now asking students to read one or more required titles, in addition to a book to be selected from a list of five. In this way, reading can be honored and celebrated, both as a cognitive exercise to develop and strengthen critical thinking skills and as a means to expand ideas and to foster imagination.
The required books have been carefully selected to challenge students to reflect upon the themes that the novels present, as well as to observe and appreciate the ways that authors create meaning. In regard to the choice books, the five titles, from which students will choose one book to read, offer an array of topics, themes, and writing styles, including one non-fiction title. We ask that parents/guardians guide their children during the selection process from the choice book list. For your convenience, brief summaries are provided in this information packet; however, more information is easily accessed through the Canton Public Library or via Internet sources.
Thank you in advance for your continued support of the importance of reading. We greatly appreciate your support of this initiative; furthermore, your acknowledgement of the vital role that reading plays in one’s ability to access and evaluate information, both in the academic arena and in the world of work, is central to the success of our students’ summer reading experience.
While we understand that summer reading requires a commitment on the part of students and their parents/guardians, we truly believe that the intrinsic rewards of this enrichment program are well worth the time invested.
Very truly yours,
Marilyn Roache
Chairperson, English Language Arts Department
IMPORTANT: Summer reading is required and will be assessed during the first full week of school in September. Information related to assessment will be distributed before the end of the school year. In addition, all summer reading requirements, assessment information, and tips for success will be available on this web site. Please note: Students have been asked to share this letter with you; we ask that you and your son or daughter sign this acknowledgement and that it be returned promptly to your child’s English teacher.