Dear Future Humanities 10 student,
In keeping with our practices throughout last year, and along with each of the other
Humanities classes at Gateway, you will be expected to read A LOT over Summer
Break. 
We have designed your summer break assignment not only based on reading research
but also on recommendations from this year’s sophomores about what makes summer
reading meaningful.
Your assignment includes as much reading as possible, without much time spent writing
book reports or doing projects. We are excited to see what you make of it!
OUR THEME FOR HUMANITIES 10 IS POWER. As you read, consider who has
power in what you are reading? Who does not have power? How do you see power?
(You will be asked to write about POWER when you return from the summer.)
What do I do?
Read books and
magazines over the
break. (You must
read at least one
complete book).
Record your reading
in the attached log.
Complete the
“Summer Break
Reading Reflection”
worksheet
EXTRA CREDIT:
Take a PHOTO of
yourself reading!
Bring the last text
(book, magazine,
etc.) you read to
school with you on
the first day of class.
(WORTH A
GRADE)
Can you tell me more?
Goal: 30 Minutes per day. Sophomores
should try to achieve the goal of 24 total
hours over the summer. You can read
every day, or you can read in bigger
chunks only a few days per week.
Each time you read, write it down!
Some of the questions are about your
summer reading process, and others ask
you to set goals for your reading in the
Sophomore classroom.
Use a camera to take a picture of yourself
reading – at the beach, on a plane, in the
woods, wherever you read!
You will have two additional reading
“check-in” opportunities when you get
back to school. You will have a Book Chat
with your teacher and you will write a
GoodReads post (both worth points!)
Why do I need to do it?
Research tells us that 30 – 45
minutes of pleasure reading is
just barely enough to keep your
brain from turning into mush
while you are away from school.
This is one way we will assess
your summer reading progress.
This will give you a chance to
reflect on your summer reading.
At the start of the year, you’ll
get an assignment to print this
picture.
We are excited to talk to you
about your summer reading and
help you plan for all the great
reading you’ll do in Humanities
10!
Help! I’m stuck! How do I find a book? There are lots of ways to find a great book that will
interest you!
 Check out the “Best Books for Young Adults 2011” on the following website.
There are Fiction and Non-Fiction books with a one-sentence summary for
each book. (This is a great list!!)




http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/bestbooksya/bbya2011.cfm
Use your GoodReads account! What are your friends, teachers, parents reading?
Go to any public library and browse the shelves or ask a librarian to suggest a book!
Try your local bookstore – they are experts.
If all else fails, email a teacher – korourke@gatewayhigh.org, morner@gatewayhigh.org
**Please note that you have lots of freedom to read when, what, and how you like!
Students may want to get all their summer reading done in ONE WEEK! Or perhaps
you may want to read one hour a day for 24 days – or 30 minutes a day for 48 days!
Your summer reading plan is up to you!
Good luck, and have a wonderful break! – Ms. O’Rourke, Mr. Neuberger, and Ms. Orner
WRITTEN REFLECTION FOR INDEPENDENT READING ASSIGNMENT
Your assignment is to read for about 30 minutes per day, with a goal of 24 Hours by the end of
break (this is 1,400 minutes!). You will record your reading times on your reading log (see attached)
and then reflect here. This reflection is due the first day of class. Please answer each of the below
prompts in the space provided. You may write your response on this sheet or on a separate sheet of
paper, if you prefer.
SUMMER BREAK PROGRESS:
How many books/articles did you read over the break? Provide a quick overview, including titles,
here. PLEASE BE HONEST AND ACCURATE. YOUR GRADE DOESN’T DEPEND ON THE
NUMBER OF MINUTES YOU READ, ALTHOUGH WE DO WANT YOU TO PUSH YOURSELVES
TO MEET THE GOAL.
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TIME:
How many hours/minutes did you read over break?
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Did you meet the goal of 24 hours? Why or why not?
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How accurately did you record your reading on your reading log?
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Did tracking your reading help you to meet your goal? Why or why not?
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GOAL-SETTING For Sophomore Year:
Given the reading you did over summer break, what are your independent reading goals (number of
books, length of reading, reading level, etc.) for the fall semester?
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Do you have particular books that you plan to read? If so, what are they?
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Is there a particular amount of time you want to make sure you read?
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FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:
Where have seen your child read this summer? (Please list any and all locations. E.g., in the car, at
the beach, in his/her room.)
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Have you had a chance to discuss your student’s reading with him/her? Please explain.
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Is your student’s log an accurate reflection of his/her reading?
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Is there anything else you’d like us to know about the summer reading assignment?
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Please sign here to confirm that you have read through this assignment.
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(Parent/Guardian Signature)
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(Parent/Guardian printed name)
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(Phone number)