Summer Reading 2025

Dear MVCSD Families,

Congratulations on the successful completion of the 2024-2025 school year! Reading over the summer is a wonderful opportunity for students to expand their horizons, strengthen their analytical skills, and discover the joy of exploring diverse stories and perspectives. We believe that fostering a love of reading benefits not only academic growth but also personal development.

This summer, students will engage with a variety of literary works through the SORA platform, which provides access to a rich collection of books across multiple genres. Our goal is to inspire students to think critically, connect with themes relevant to their lives and the world, and reflect on the characters and ideas that shape these stories. Please see the attached assignment for more information.

Thank you for your partnership in making this summer reading adventure a success. Together, we can inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning in our students.

Enjoy the summer, and happy reading!

Warm regards,

Dr. K. Veronica Smith,
Acting Superintendent of Schools

 

Overview

Welcome to your summer reading adventure! This task is designed to engage your critical thinking and analytical skills while enjoying a variety of books through the SORA platform. The goal is to explore diverse genres and themes to broaden your understanding and appreciation of literature.

Assignment Goals

• Develop reading comprehension skills.
• Analyze different literary elements such as theme, character development, and plot.
• Reflect on how literature connects with personal experiences and current world issues.
• Enhance vocabulary and understanding of complex texts.

Assignment Information Book Selection

1. Access SORA Platform: Log in to your SORA account through the MVCSD website.
2. Choose Your Books: Select at least two books from different genres (e.g., fiction, non­ fiction, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction). Ensure the books are appropriate for your grade level.

Reading Journal

• Create a Reading Journal: Maintain a digital or physical journal where you record your thoughts, questions, and reflections while reading.
• Journal Entries: For each book, write at least three journal entries focusing on:
  • Initial Impressions: What drew you to this book? What are your expectations?
  • Character Analysis: Choose a main character and describe their development throughout the story.
  • Theme Exploration: Identify a central theme and discuss how it is presented in the book. Connect it to a personal experience or a current event.

Submission

• Submission Format: Submit your reading journal digitally through Schoology during the first week of school.

Enjoy your summer reading journey! Dive into new worlds, meet fascinating characters, and explore diverse perspectives. Happy reading!

Summer Reading Journal Rubric

Name:                                                                                                    

Criteria    4 - Excellent    3 - Proficient    2 - Basic    1 - Needs Improvement

Critical Thinking:
4- Demonstrates a thorough and insightful analysis in journal entries and creative responses.    
3- Shows a clear and consistent analysis.    
2- Provides a limited analysis.    
1- Offers minimal analysis with little to no insight.

Connection:   
4- Effectively connects themes and characters to personal experiences and/or broader topics. 
3- Connects themes and characters with some effectiveness.    
2- Makes limited connections to themes and characters.    
1- Makes vague or no connections to themes and characters

Creativity:    
4- Exhibits strong originality and creativity in the chosen response activity.    
3- Displays some originality and creativity in responses.    
2- Shows limited originality and creativity    
1- Lacks originality and creativity in responses.

Total Points: __/12 (Calculate final score out of 100 for an overall score. For example, 10/12 = 83%.)

Creative Response

Choose One Option:

1. Write a Letter: Compose a letter to the author or a character, sharing your thoughts on the book and asking questions.
2. Create a Visual: Design a book cover or a storyboard that represents key moments or themes in the book.
3. Develop a Playlist: Curate a playlist of songs that encapsulate the mood, themes, or character journeys in your books. Provide a brief explanation for each song choice.