Summer Reading & Math Enrichment
Lower School Summer Enrichment
We love summer at Hammond Lower School! Summer is a time for family, friends, days in the sun and yes, learning! In this section you will find a wealth of information to keep learning alive. Our purpose for summer enrichment is to promote the love and value of reading, writing and math by making personal choices and finding ways that it applies to the real world.
Link to LS Summer Reading Enrichment
Link to LS Summer Math
Middle School Summer Reading and Novel Evaluation Forms
To the Parents of Middle Schoolers:
Research shows that students who read over the summer do better when they return to school in the fall. Research also shows that the greatest predictor of success in college is the ability to read complex material fluently. For students to attain fluency they must develop the habit of reading. We hope the selections on the summer reading list will offer each student an opportunity to engage with a challenging book and with books they love. Parents can stimulate this engagement by reading along with their children and asking questions about the stories your children choose. This helps them think about what they are reading. In addition to the who, what, why, when, and where questions you can ask one or two of the following:
- Was there anything special that you liked or disliked about the book? Why?
- How does the subject of the book connect to other books you have read?
- How would the story change if it were set in a different time?
- How would you change the story if you were the author? Why?
The above questions are suggestions for parents to help you stimulate discussion with your children. Assessments for students for summer reading are posted with the reading lists by grade level under “Related Forms. Middle school students are required to read three books, but we hope they will choose to read many more.” We wish you a happy and entertaining summer full of good books. (Link to MS Reading lists)
Middle School Summer Math
Experts agree that it is important for students to review math concepts and processes during the summer. Intentional practice of math skills will help students reach mastery of material and increase their ability to use facts and operations easily and accurately. Students in Hammond Middle School are required to complete a summer math packet in order to reinforce the math concepts that they have already learned. (Link to MS Math)
Upper School Summer Reading
Just as weight–lifting and sports practices over the summer are required to maintain and improve athletic prowess, reading over the summer greatly improves academic performance. Daily reading is terrific preparation for the SATs.
This summer the upper school has a two–part program of reading. All English classes have one required book, and AP history and environmental science classes have one as well. In addition, there are the summer reading discussion groups, an innovation this year. Faculty members have chosen two related books that they have personally enjoyed. Each student has selected a group to join based on the faculty book titles and descriptions and will read those books over the summer. Reading groups will meet once with their faculty leaders before the end of the school year to discuss expectations and twice in the early fall to discuss the books. (Link to US Reading)
