Assignment+Rules

= West Springfield High School Summer Reading (2012) =

//Q: What can teachers, parents, and educators do to instill a love of language in young people so that they appreciate the power of the word in a culture that is increasingly dominated by the visual?// //A: Hand them a book, that's all.// (from an interview with Ray Bradbury, 2003)

//There is no single way to read well, though there is a prime reason why we should read. Information is endlessly available to us; where shall wisdom be found?// (Harold Bloom, from //How to Read and Why)//

Assignment Rules
Summer reading at WestSide is a decades-long tradition that reflects our commitment to literacy and lifelong learning. Therefore, we require that __all__ students entering WSHS each year do summer reading. Why? We believe that the habit of reading is of great value, and that knowledge and wisdom are developed over a lifetime, 365 days a year. Summer reading fosters:
 * Higher Literacy: we know that students who read over the summer maintain or increase their reading skills and knowledge.
 * Healthy Mental Habits: we know that the more students repeat the habit of reading, the more likely they are to continue reading--and thinking.
 * On the pages here you will find the reading assignment for the grade you are entering in September.
 * During the first week of school, all students will be tested on the summer reading.
 * All special assignments related to the readings are due on Day One of class.