Middle-Grade Summer Reading Program Helps Energize Belleville’s Love for Books
In a world of screens and devices, choosing to engage in reading in one’s free-time can be challenging – yet rewarding if done right! Summertime provides a wonderful space for a “time-out” from the rush of student schedules, homework, and school-related commitments and all things digital. It offers a great time to make personal choices and reading can become an entertaining activity for youth rather than being task-based or a “have-to.” This is how a joy for reading and literature develops.
To support the effort of providing choice, Belleville expanded its summer reading program beyond the elementary school age-range, to include middle school readers this summer. With the help of a grant targeted to help provide enjoyable titles for students, Belleville Middle and High School’s Reading and Math Interventionist Melissa Whitmore was on her way!
Whitmore emphasized, “Not everyone likes to read and I get that. I’m no stranger to hearing students and adults tell me that they don’t enjoy reading for a variety of reasons. It is a culture that we are working hard to change.”
To help re-establish a connection with recreational reading for middle school readers, Melissa had students complete an interest inventory in their English Language (ELA) classes last spring. She then worked with a company called Children’s Plus, Inc. (CPI) to curate 15 book choices for middle grade readers to enjoy over the summer.
“We looked at award winning books and titles that were published within the last three years. My requirements were that students needed to have choice and that the books encompass fun summer reading! The result included 15 books by outstanding authors,” says Whitmore.
Heading into summer break, students got to choose four books that were meant to stretch their reading skills. Choices were made from categories hoped to strengthen a love of reading for this age group – an audiobook in the form of a Playaway with the book to follow along; a graphic novel; a novel in verse; and, a fiction novel. These formats were chosen to help prepare students for skills they will need in high school.
Whitmore notes, “We even included a few math skills to practice, too!”
Additionally the grant provided funds to help support readers engaged in this summer literacy initiative. Seventh and eighth grade students had the chance to meet up with their peers in the company of middle and high school staff this summer at the Belleville Public Library to discuss each title. The Belleville Public Library provided the space to meet and also supported the middle school’s efforts by displaying the chosen titles during July and August for their patrons. This also provided the opportunity for local families to engage in the love of literacy and check-out the curated titles selected for the Middle-Grade Summer Reading Program for their own enjoyment!
