High School Summer Reading=stupid?

Question

I believe that it is; I am required to read two novels every summer, in my high school and then do multiple reports and projects on them. The work is due the first day of school and we, the class, are then later tested on the material.

I feel that this obstructs the summer of High School students, what do you think?


Also, if I were to have chosen more AP courses (which suck at my high school), I would have been given summer work for Calculus and History, on top of English. That includes, reading textbooks and doing pages of work, all due on the first day of school...this is ridiculous. How are we supposed to perform well if we are never given a break?

Thank Goodness I am going into my senior year.

Yes, I would enjoy it more if I were able to choose the material to be read, but that is where the problem lies...they have a curriculum based off of the supposed Summer Reading; quite inane if you ask me.

Answer 1

Thank goodness I didn't go to your school, I would have failed the first day back from summer break. The beach and surfing were far more important than summer homework which is really beyond belief. My mind and body both needed the break from school. But, then those were the good old days, when teachers were allowed to teach and students were expected to learn. If you had schoolwork in the summer then you were in summer school because you failed a class during the regular school term.

Answer 2

Well, in terms of English, I agree with you that reading all the books during the summer is kind of pointless. I only had to do summer reading in ninth grade English and twelth grade AP English (the other years I either had writing assignments or summer research for English). In ninth grade, the reading assignment was kind of useless--we could easily have read the work by the end of the second week of school(it was only 300 pages long), and we could have started with short stories or something esle. The writing assignments that went with the book were useless. For AP English, I had to read two books for the summer assingment and do a quote journal. On the third day of class, there was a timed writing on the book. But really, all we did was discuss the book on the second day of class and then do the writing. We never did learn much about analyzing literature from reading those two books. So I felt that that assingment was busy work.

I disagree with you that History and Calculus assignments are a waste. AP exams cover a lot of material, so students should be expected to read some of the history textbook during the summer. Otherwise, students may get stuck reading large sections of the book each night in late March and April as they are preparing for the AP exams, and then nothing will sink in due to the great speed. And for AP Calculus, it may be essential to review the previous year's material during the summer. Again, a lot of material has to be covered quickly in AP Calculus so that all the topics on the exam will be covered before the exam. Summer assignments make doing that easier.

I think assignments that involve a lot of writing should not be given during the summer. Textbook readings and (in the case of math or math-related subjects like Chemistry), review type problems should be assigned.

Answer 3

Many people love reading and learning that way. It is not too difficult to read two novels during the course of two or three months. Take a little time each day. There must be some time when you can take a break for half an hour to an hour, kick back, put your feet up, have a nice glass of your favorite beverage, and read a chapter or two. Who knows, you may get interested in the story and forget the time!

It doesn't take all day to do a little work. Most people in the real world work many hours per day, and then still have a life, visit with friends, enjoy hobbies and exercise routines, dating, etc. This is a way for you to learn how to schedule times and places for everything. Look at it as preparing for your future life.

The best way to get all the "stuff" done is to plan a set time of day for each task. For example, if you do your morning exercises as soon as you get up in the morning, before your shower or bath, you feel more alert and healthy, and then you also smell better during the day! Then you do a half hour to an hour of studying, reading, math, or whatever before you eat a healthy breakfast. and it isn't even 08:00 AM yet! now you can run your daily errands, mow the lawn, wash the car, wash the windows, help an elderly neighbor, or whatever. Take a break and study some more for another hour or two, eat lunch, shower and relax for a while.

13:00 (1:00 pm) now you can go skateboarding, play soccer, (fill in the game) ball, swimming, etc. Come home in time to get cleaned up for dinner, help Mom set the table, and dine with the family.

The evening is yours - enjoy - watch a movie with your girl, play video games, watch tv with the family, go out with your friends, and then come home and read some of that novel. and you have had a great day, and studied at least twice, maybe three times...

Enjoy it and try to learn about things you love.

Answer 4

I remember my school years.I never had a teacher assign summer work so i cant complain.But i do understand yur fustration about having to do required school work during the time you see as your time ot just kick back and enjoy the summer.But to look at it from the teacher's perspective giving you this type of work keeps you on track and ready for the upcoming school year.Pressure is not just being put on you but tons of it are being put on teachers these days from the state.principals,and superintendents.Teachers to have to figure out how to cover so much material in not enough time and make sure that everyone is on the same level and will pass these state tests.You complain about the paper work and reading you have to do.Have you ever considered the amount of paper work and meetings your teacher is forces to do and attend during their break as well and during the school year besides the regualr classwork.

Answer 5

I'm sorry for your loss of peace and tranquility during your summer vacation. They're just trying to get you to read as many books as they can so that they can prepare you for the AP. There's not enough time in the school year, hence, summer reading. I don't know that it was really helpful for me, I didn't write about either of the books that I read over the summer on the AP, but oh well. Anyway, if your class is anything like mine was, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

Answer 6

hey, im going into senior year too, and have to read 2 books for english honors. AP is worse though, they have to do 3 books. that sucks though that u have to also do projects, i just have to read the books. i have to read 1984 and The Kite Runner. I have been stuck at half way in 1984 though, because it got super boring. im going to have to force myself to finish so i can start the next book and have enough time to finish it. i agree, not much of a break. but at least next summer(the one before college) we wont have to do school work.

Answer 7

I, myself, enjoy reading, but if the book is chosen for me and I don't enjoy it, I'ts Hell trying to right a report about it, expecially during summer. I'm gunna be a senior too... GO CLASS OF 2008!

Answer 8

Yeah I know what you mean. When I moved and started school in a new area I was confronted with the mandatory summer reading quiz. So stupid. I think I ended up failing it and my teacher let me retake it since I was new a student. Luckily the next year I had a teacher who didnt care about it.

Answer 9

Dude, that's X-tremely INSANE [in the membrane]!!!
I totally agree with you - high school summer reading = lame.

All I have to do is read a 200-page book and keep a reading log [I haven't started - school starts at the end of August].
- It's probably because I'm going to be a high school sophomore [three more years (in a chant-like fashion)]

Answer 10

I agree completely and had to do many AP summer assignments. BUT DONT WORRY! When you get to college, there are NO summer assignments!!!