5 Reasons to Dislike Assigned Summer Reading
Why I've changed my mind about this summer homework
School is out for summer here in East Penn! And if you’ve got kids in middle- or high-school, they likely already have one or more reading assignments they need to do this summer in preparation for classes in the fall.
There’s lots to love about summer reading lists for school. Or so I thought. I used to count myself as a leading cheerleader for having required reading over the summer. But I’ve changed my tune over the last few years, and I want to share the reasons why.
#1: They teach kids that many school assignments are just busywork
Class descriptions and formal school board presentations often make summer reading assignments out to be well-crafted and important parts of the school curriculum. As a parent of two recent students in the district, I’m sad to say this has not been our experience. Both my kids had assigned summer reading that was hardly mentioned at all once they returned to school, or integrated only through a short quiz, or discussed in class for only a few minutes, or discussed weeks and even months after school has started and memories of the book had faded. These experiences came across different schools, different classes, and different teachers in East Penn (with only a single notable exception). Many of my other concerns about summer reading assignments would be lessened if these books were central, well-integrated elements of classes in the fall, addressed in depth and over an extended period. But by and large they’re not. And in making assignments for summer reading that– in the end– don’t really matter, we’re teaching all the wrong lessons to our kids about what school assignments are for in the first place.
#2: They take away from summer relaxation
Summer is a time of family vacations, rest and relaxation, seasonal jobs, and other important things in students lives that are difficult to accomplish during the school year. And summer breaks are shorter today (9-10 weeks) than they were when many of us parents were in school. Assigned summer reading interferes with this time by keeping the shadow of homework over students throughout the summer. And any parent who’s had to nag and cajole their kids to finish their summer reading certainly knows a little something about how these assignments take away from summer enjoyment.
#3: They crowd out the magic of discovering on one’s own.
Most of us like to choose our own meals when we go out to restaurants. We don’t want our spouse or even the chef to simply tell us what we’re going to eat that night. And the same principle applies to books. Part of the joy of reading is the thrill of finding a book for the first time in the library, or at the bookstore, or on a shelf at home, or laying out at a friend’s house. I Read a great book a few years ago- The Time Traveler's Wife- that a stranger gave me on an airplane! The fun of such a discovery is lost when the list of books you need to read is handed down to you from above. Plus, kids are less likely to be looking out for new books in the first place if, in the back of their minds, they know they have a list of things they have to read already.
#4: They replace love of reading with responsibility to read
There’s no greater buzzkill to the love of reading than telling a child they must read a particular book or list of books. I think we should be teaching our kids how to choose books they love to read. And my experience in East Penn is that we have fantastic librarians and teachers that do a great job of just that. But assigned summer reading substitutes what kids want to read with what books are ‘good for them.’ This is frankly fine during the school year; I learned to appreciate different books from teachers who required me to tackle things I wouldn’t have chosen on my own (I'm looking at you, Red Badge of Courage, Ordinary People, and Crime & Punishment!). But summer vacation is not the time for this. It leaves students with the sense that reading is a responsibility or chore, rather than a pleasure or source of relaxation. This is not a formula, in my view, for nurturing lifelong readers.
#5: The chilling effect of the current political climate on reading lists
Pressure to ban books in schools is at an all-time high right now. Teachers and librarians feel this pressure, even when specific bans aren't successful. Just the threat of potential bans can lead to book choices that are considered "safe" or "uncontroversial." After all, what reasonable teacher or librarian wants to open themselves up to public attack or controversy by book banners, if they can help it? And the result can be narrower and more sanitized summer reading lists. But some of the most engaging, creative, meaningful books are neither safe nor uncontroversial! I therefore think that-- in the current political climate-- students are better off picking their own books, or getting book recommendations informally from librarians, teachers, and parents.
I'd love to hear your reactions to my disillusionment with required summer reading lists! Reply to this message or post as a comment your thoughts and experiences.
(Note: This post is based on one I wrote about the same topic in 2019)
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