Published On: July 1st, 2018By

How’s That Summer Reading Coming Along?

High school students have three weeks once school starts to complete their summer reading requirements.


A month of summer has flown by for Aldine ISD students. And while the first day of school may seem too far away, the date can sneak up on you (School starts Aug. 20.). This is a friendly reminder that high school students enrolled in specific English language arts courses have three weeks once school starts to complete their summer reading requirements.

Summer-Slide-Infographic-by-BookSource-1Incoming ninth- through twelfth-grade students for the 2018-2019 school year were informed about the summer reading requirements by their teacher during the spring semester.

Summer reading is required for all high school students in regular and advanced English courses. Students must submit their written assignments to their English teachers by the deadline.

The required reading keeps Aldine ISD students engaged throughout the summer. According to Cindy Benge, students who read during the summer are better prepared for academic work in the fall. Benge serves as the program director of high school English language arts (ELA).

Summer reading requirements are an antidote to summer reading loss,” said Benge. “Summer reading requirements help students retain knowledge and skills gained during the year.

Studies demonstrate that students who read during the summer actually show gains in academics.”


In the spring semester, English language arts (ELA) teachers notified students in class and via email about the high school required summer reading, which they are responsible for completing.


Fahrenheit-451-BookWho must fulfill the summer reading requirements? …

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students enrolled in regular English courses[/li] [li]Students enrolled in Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) Courses [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students enrolled in Pre-International Baccalaureate (Pre-IB) Courses[/li] [li]Students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) Courses [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students enrolled in Gifted and Talented (GT) Classes[/li] [li]Students enrolled in International Baccalaureate (IB) Classes [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students enrolled in Dual Credit English Classes (Please see individual requirements from your ELA teacher.)[/li][/ul]

(Click here to go directly to the AISD webpage regarding summer reading requirements.)

Cindy-Benge-at-2016-TCLA-Conference-1

Cindy Benge at the 2016 TCTELA Conference.

Benge stressed the importance of reading as well as how it develops students’ literacy skills.

Reading during the summer is essential to literacy development,” Benge said. “Reading is the most powerful tool available for building vocabulary.

“Reading not only improves the ability to read but it also improves the ability to write, spell and comprehend. The more students read, the better readers and writers they become.”


AISD Summer Reading Requirements (click here to go to site)

The summer reading assignments target high school students entering English (ENGL) 1, ENGL 2, ENGL 3 and ENGL 4.

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]9th Grade: Students entering regular English 1 must read at least one (1) book of their choice. Pre-AP and AP English have separate requirements. [/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Ninth grade students entering regular English 1 must read at least one (1) book of their choice. Personal choice selections for non-fiction and contemporary works may be made from the suggested lists that are available on the District webpage (click here).[/li] [li]Pre-AP and AP English students can contact Cindy Benge at [email protected] or call (281) 985-6401 as well as click here to access Pre-AP ELA summer reading requirements. [/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Ninth grade students entering English 1 advanced academic courses (Pre-AP, AP, Pre-IB, IB and GT) must follow requirements provided in spring 2018 or as stated within the documents provided on the District webpage (click here).[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]10th Grade: Students entering regular English 2 must read at least one (1) book of their choice.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Personal choice selections for non-fiction and contemporary works may be made from the suggested lists found within the packet or the lists available on the District webpage (click here).[/li] [li]Pre-AP and AP English have separate requirements. Please contact Cindy Benge at [email protected] or call (281) 985-6401 or see Pre-AP documents provided on the District webpage (click here). [/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]11th Grade: Students entering regular English 3 must read at least one (1) book.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Personal choice selections for non-fiction and contemporary works may be made from the suggested lists found within the packet or the lists available on the District webpage (click here).[/li] [li]Pre-AP and AP English have separate requirements. Please contact Cindy Benge at [email protected] or call (281) 985-6401 or see documents provided on the District webpage (click here). [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Dual Credit (DC) students in English 3 and English 4 need to contact their campus for required reading. They can also contact Cindy Benge at [email protected] or call (281) 985-6401 or or see documents provided on the District webpage (click here).[/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]12th Grade: Students entering regular English 4 must read at least one (1) book.[/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Personal choice selections for non-fiction and contemporary works may be made from the suggested lists found within the packet or the lists available on the District webpage (click here).[/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students entering AP English 4 must read at least two (2) novel and short story pairings.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-arrow_blue”] [li]Personal choice selections may be made from the suggested lists found within the packet.[/li] [li]Dual Credit (DC) students in English 3 and English 4 need to contact their campus for required reading. They can also contact Cindy Benge at [email protected] or call (281) 985-6401 or see documents provided on the District webpage (click here). [/li][/ul]

All Students Who Must Fulfill Summer Reading Requirements

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students must complete reading assignments as part of the reading requirements. Students must submit the assignments within the first three weeks of the 2018-2019 school year.[/li] [li]Students may not choose a book they have submitted for past summer reading assignments or that they have read in a class. [/li][/ul][ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Students will keep their summer reading documentation in their writing folder or on Google Drive.[/li] [li]Students must turn in the cover sheet of the reading packet with their reading responses. [/li][/ul]


A student’s critical reading skills are fundamental to academic success and essential to continued success in college and at work.


Students can go to the District website to download the specific reading requirements. The documents include writing assignments they must fulfill. Within each packet, students will also find the required reading lists. They will also find a page to choose self-selected books from the suggested reading lists.

Students can complete and submit the assignments in person to their English teacher. Students can also choose to fill out the document provided on Google Drive (each packet has a link).

Students could buy books on their own. They can also visit their local public library to check books out. Benge added that students could also download eBooks from Aldine ISD Library Services webpages.

Benge added that several of the required and recommended books selections are contemporary books. But there are also many classic masterpieces that are excellent for college-bound students and recommended by the College Board. View examples such as “101 Great Books (click here)” and “List Challenges (click here).”

So don’t forget to complete your summer reading assignments!



How are reading skills used in the workplace?

Employees must read and understand written information. Different types of workplace documents include work instructions, emails, memos, policies and reports. Professionals must scan for information and derive meaning. Employees must determine if the information is relevant or how they will use it. They must also be able to integrate information from many sources.

How important are writing skills in the workforce?

The National Commission on Writing conducted a comprehensive study of 120 major American corporations. It concluded that writing is a “threshold skill” for hiring among professional employees. Writing skills also give individuals a leg up on a new job or promotion. Two-thirds of salaried employees in large American companies have some writing responsibility. One HR manager stated that written material must be “crystal clear.”

Employers emphasize the significance of good writing skills for career preparedness. A Wall Street Journal article focused on “Must-Have Job Skills.” It identified clear communication, which includes writing, as the #1 skill necessary for success in the job market.

About the Author: Leticia Fehling

Director of Internal Communications