Dear Parents and Guardians of Incoming Middle School GATE Students

As we transition to summer 2020, we are pleased to provide these summer reading assignments and activities that will keep your child learning in the months ahead. We know that this year has been a challenge for all of us with so many changes in the way we reach and teach our students...your children. We are committed to support your child's continued growth over the summer and offer this work as a means to do so.

Research shows that kids who don’t read during summer break actually fall behind in reading ability by the time the new school year rolls around. This is referred to at the "summer slide." With the added strains of school closure and shifting to remote teaching and learning, we know that slide will be compounded this year. We cannot stress enough the importance of keeping your child engaged in reading and learning in the summer months. These resources that will help you do just that.

The GATE ELA reading selections and assignments are not intended to cause stress, but rather to encourage effort and build stamina in preparation for the advanced coursework your child will encounter next year. We have balanced between required and optional tasks, short and extended texts, fiction and non-fiction genres, and traditional and creative means for demonstrating understanding.

This year, we have also included some additional resources that support wide and varied summer reading activities through free online programs. As we always want to encourage the simple joy of reading and the pleasure in learning about topics of interest to your child. It is especially important that we support adolescent student choice and voice as they progress through middle school and beyond.

And finally, we encourage your child to continue to access iReady at Home myPath lessons that provide targeted support for reading tailored to the individual needs of students. This is available to incoming 7th and 8th grade students only. These students are encouraged to engage with iReady lessons for approximately 30 minutes a week. Incoming 6th grade students will be introduced to this program in September.

Please select the grade specific tabs at top of the page for detailed information for each grade level.

Thank you and have a wonderful summer!

Required Short and Extended Reading

practice important skills in reading, comprehending and writing!

Optional Summer Reading Activities

support wide and varied reading experiences that encourage the love and joy of reading, learning, knowing and expression!

Optional iReady at Home - MyPath Lessons

provide target support tailored to the individual needs of each student