Honors III Summer Reading Letter
Dear Parents and Students,
Reading practice creates not only stronger readers but also lifelong readers. Research indicates
students who do not read over the course of the summertime, run the risk of losing ground in their
reading achievement. Students are encouraged to enjoy quality literature and to continue developing
their independent reading skills. The Summer Reading Initiative serves as one way to prepare
students for their courses via increased opportunities for intellectual discourse about literature.
In order to participate in the Summer Reading Initiative, please complete the parent/guardian
statements indicating the approval of novel choices by students which should be signed and
submitted to the Socastee High School main office by Wednesday, June 3, 2008.
The summer reading initiative serves as one way to prepare students for intellectual discourse about
quality literature. Students enrolled in Honors English III courses will read a total of two texts. For
students enrolled in Honors English III , one text to be read in the summer as a Required Read will
be a novel selected from the grade level text choices from Horry County Essential Reading List. The
selected novel is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Parents may request an alternate book; in this
case, teachers will work with parents to identify an appropriate substitution. By allowing students to
read one of the novels addressed within the charted honors curriculum during the summer months,
more opportunities for depth in discussion and instruction will be created during ELA instruction. The
Assessment for the Required Read will consist of class discussion and an in-class essay that will
take place within the second week that the student is scheduled for the class. The value of the
Required Read Assessment will be determined by the scheduled teacher. Students will have free
choice for their second text choice, with teacher guidance and parent approval. Assessments on
students’ text of choice will take place within the student advisory period and will count as 2% of the
student’s first marking period’s ELA grade.
Assessments will focus on informing instruction, promoting the reader’s interaction with the text, and
revisiting text to critically read and analyze for deeper comprehension. The Summer Reading Initiative
encourages literacy and provides students with opportunities for teacher feedback to promote reading.
Student assessments are to be completed individually. Any evidence of sharing, copying, or
plagiarizing will result in forfeiting any extra credit and the grade earned for the summer reading
initiative in ELA during the affected marking period.
The SHS School Library will be open periodically throughout the summer for book selections for any
student.
Please read the attached information and complete the attached documentation acknowledging your
approval of your child’s novel choices. If you have questions or concerns about the summer reading,
please take advantage of a informational drop-in meeting taking place on May 20th from 4-6pm in
Mrs. Amy Wilson’s Room (212). We look forward to working with your child to assist his/her
development as a lifelong reader.
Sincerely,
The Socastee High School English Department
Horry County Schools Summer Reading Initiative – Honors English III
The signatures below indicate the following:
I understand the Summer Reading Initiative procedures that apply to my student who is enrolled in
English III Honors during the 2009-20010 school year.
I approve of my child’s novel choices for participation in the Summer Reading Initiative.
Student’s name (please print):
____________________________________________
Grade-level Novel Choice from Essential Reading List Selection: Required Read
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Text of Choice #1:
_________________________________________________________
Alternate Text of Choice #2:
_________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name (please print):
______________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature:
______________________________________________
Date: _________________
Parent/Guardian Phone Number: ____________________
Please submit to SHS main office by Wednesday, June 3rd 2009.