Summer Reading
In opposition to the summer reading program I'm writing a letter to be read at the English PLC meeting. I strongly encourage you to sign it. Talk to me. :)
Final draft:
Dear PIB/IB English Department,
As you know, recently students were told through the newsletter that all incoming freshmen, current freshmen, and current sophomores would be given summer reading assignments. Current juniors would not be included, though next year’s juniors would. I was told this was partially spawned from juniors who weren’t working on their extended essay.
Without being self-motivated, no one could get through IB. Most of us already planned the summer to its fullest with things like catching up on reading we never have time for during school, jobs, travel plans, volunteering, sports, music camps, P-SAT studies, and a plethora of other activities. We also need time to relax, just like you.
Though we’ve already planned full summers, this reading program is reportedly to keep students active. This is not the case for all students and there is a better answer than mandatory summer reading for all grades. I understand the encouragement to read, but no one signed up for IB looking forward to required reading and assignments over the summer. A week ago we were sprinting toward summer but now, at the busiest time of the year, we’re told that the school year will essentially be extended with reading and assignments. Furthermore, required books are never as fun as books one chooses to read. When reading becomes a chore and not out of enjoyment, learning isn’t fun. When learning isn’t fun students are not motivated to do their best and that’s a major problem.
The worst part is that you have been planning this for the entire year and just now told us. We deserve your respect just as much as you deserve ours. Please, let us know when planning programs that affect us at the soonest possible date (i.e. not after 8 months of planning). We shouldn’t have to be worrying about summer reading assignments while trying to study for AP tests and final exams.
While you may have thought this to be in our best interest, there are better ways to promote reading and active summers than to initiate a mandatory reading program. Talking to students about possible decisions is one of them.
We politely ask your reconsideration of this infringement on our summer.
Thank you,
Concerned Students
Final draft:
Dear PIB/IB English Department,
As you know, recently students were told through the newsletter that all incoming freshmen, current freshmen, and current sophomores would be given summer reading assignments. Current juniors would not be included, though next year’s juniors would. I was told this was partially spawned from juniors who weren’t working on their extended essay.
Without being self-motivated, no one could get through IB. Most of us already planned the summer to its fullest with things like catching up on reading we never have time for during school, jobs, travel plans, volunteering, sports, music camps, P-SAT studies, and a plethora of other activities. We also need time to relax, just like you.
Though we’ve already planned full summers, this reading program is reportedly to keep students active. This is not the case for all students and there is a better answer than mandatory summer reading for all grades. I understand the encouragement to read, but no one signed up for IB looking forward to required reading and assignments over the summer. A week ago we were sprinting toward summer but now, at the busiest time of the year, we’re told that the school year will essentially be extended with reading and assignments. Furthermore, required books are never as fun as books one chooses to read. When reading becomes a chore and not out of enjoyment, learning isn’t fun. When learning isn’t fun students are not motivated to do their best and that’s a major problem.
The worst part is that you have been planning this for the entire year and just now told us. We deserve your respect just as much as you deserve ours. Please, let us know when planning programs that affect us at the soonest possible date (i.e. not after 8 months of planning). We shouldn’t have to be worrying about summer reading assignments while trying to study for AP tests and final exams.
While you may have thought this to be in our best interest, there are better ways to promote reading and active summers than to initiate a mandatory reading program. Talking to students about possible decisions is one of them.
We politely ask your reconsideration of this infringement on our summer.
Thank you,
Concerned Students