2023 Summer Reading & Independent Learning Activities
Summer Reading Information
As you prepare your summer schedule, please don’t forget to include time to read and to continue to develop other life long learner habits. We will be again partnering with the Wethersfield Public Library on Summer Reading and this year's theme is Read Beyond the Beaten Path. The purpose of requiring summer reading and other learning activities is to encourage students to become lifelong readers and learners. Research is clear: students can experience “summer loss” that can be equivalent to three months of learning if they don’t read throughout the summer.
How do I log the books that have been read? Or the books that my child has read?
We expect all students to participate in summer reading activities by reading books and/or listening to stories read aloud. Students are required to keep track of the books they have read by logging their books through the Wethersfield Public Library Summer Reading Program. Please use the links below to sign up and to log your books.
WL Children’s Program (up to incoming grade 6)
WL Teen Program (incoming grade 7-12)
You can also keep a paper log of your summer reading. Elementary students’ logs can be found here. SDMS and WHS also offer printable or editable reading logs for those who prefer to hand write or edit directly in a Google Doc. These are available on the SDMS Summer Reading Web Page and WHS Summer Reading Web Page.
What reading goals would be appropriate to set for elementary students?
At the elementary level, we recommend that each child should read, or be read to, each and every day. If a busy schedule makes this difficult, please set goals for your students in grades K-2 to read (or be read to) for at least 60 minutes a week and students in grades 3-6 should be reading at least 120 minutes per week.
What reading goals would be appropriate for middle school and high school students?
For students entering grades 7 and 8, please visit the SDMS Summer Reading Webpage for more information. SDMS students are expected to read or listen to three books of their choice and keep a reading log. Students entering grades 9-12 should visit the WHS Summer Reading Webpage for more information related to the summer reading requirements for each grade/course. In addition, the SDMS Library Media Specialist/Wethersfield Library Teen Librarian are offering two virtual SDMS/Wethersfield Library Virtual Book Discussions
which students have the option of joining.
Suggested Reading Lists
Explore the Nutmeg Book Award Nominees this summer!
Multiple print copies are available at the Wethersfield Public Library, Digital copies are available through the Wethersfield Library’s Overdrive or Hoopla accounts (with a library card) or through the Wethersfield Public Schools Sora subscription.
Explore Sora, our WPS digital library!
Wethersfield Schools has a subscription to Sora for free e-books and audiobooks for students. Students sign in with their school Gmail account on their Chromebook or other device and have access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks including these special collections!
Sweet Reads: Always Available, No Waiting from May 15-August 28!
Read Beyond the Beaten the Beaten Path this summer!
Explore other suggested reading lists!
For students entering grades 7 -12, please visit the SDMS Summer Reading Webpage or the WHS Summer Reading Webpage for more suggested reading lists.
Summer Learning: Digital Resources for Independent Learning
Wethersfield Public Schools also offers a broad array of digital learning resources available for families looking to continue to provide independent learning opportunities for students during the summer months. Please visit our Summer Continuous Learning Resource Center website. If you are looking for guidance on independent learning opportunities for your child, please contact your his/her teacher prior to the end of the school year for specific digital learning resources and areas of focus that would be beneficial during the summer months.
Explore other learning opportunities in all grades!
The State of Connecticut's Summer Learning Hub offers “engaging options and opportunities to assist in sharpening essential college, career, and civic knowledge while better poising them for academic success in the fall.” Check out this website to find the following resources:
Career and Technical Education Bingo Challenge, Grades 6-8: Explore careers and career readiness skills.
Social Studies Ambassador Learning Challenge, Grades K-12: Find activities to help develop skills an anthropologist, archaeologist, biographer, leader, and more.
Story of Me Learning Challenge, Grades K-8: Learn about yourself, your family, and the community through the lenses of language and culture.
Science Challenge, Grades K-5: Participate in challenges to observe, question, and discover all around you.
Summer Learning Calendars
Practice and Enrich Math and Reading Skills: Students are encouraged, but not required, to complete the following activities which may be downloaded.
