Summer Reading

MiddletownReads


BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE

  • All students entering Grades K-5 are expected to read over the summer and record their books read on the reading log. Click on the Elementary School link under Summer Reading Documents for the summer reading brochure for tips for choosing books, suggested book lists, and a copy of the reading log. Please bring the log back to school during the first week!

  • All students entering Grade 6 are expected to read the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio and complete the following project:

    • Write a brief summary (one page, typed or neatly hand-written) of your book, including but not limited to characters, setting, plot, conflicts (problem), resolution and themes.

    • Create either a movie poster or new book cover for Wonder. Make sure whatever design elements you choose are representative of the book. Your artwork, photography or design MUST be original (don't cut and paste, tracing, etc.). Don't panic you are being assessed on your creativity and effort, not your artistic skill.

    • Write or present a book talk (under two minutes) in which you tell your audience why they should read Wonder. In your book talk, be sure to explain how the book affected you. Talk about what lessons and values you will carry with you into sixth grade. You are about to enter a school with seven other elementary schools included. As you make new friends, what characteristics will you be looking for? How do you want people to view you? Reference the book in your statements.

  • All students entering Grades 7-12 are required to read one book over the summer and complete a project. Summer Reading Graphic Organizer - Incoming Grade 7-12

Students will be given the assignment before the end of the school year. If you need another copy, click the links below. The project will count as a quiz grade in English Language Arts.

Summer Reading Documents:

OPPORTUNITY TO WIN Gift Cards for More Books!! All students in grades K-12 are eligible.

Elementary ground rules: All elementary students who complete their summer reading projects will be entered into a raffle to win Gift Cards for books. Secondary ground rules: All secondary students who complete their summer reading projects will be entered into a raffle to win Gift Cards for books, ELA teachers in grades 6-12 will select the top three projects from each of their classes. Those projects will be displayed in each school, and the winner will be selected by a panel of teachers.

If you have questions, contact Keri MacLean (English Language Arts Coordinator) at macleank@mpsct.org or Ann Buchanan (Library Services Coordinator) at buchanana@mpsct.org.

News from the BOOKMOBILE

The Parent Leadership Office has been collecting and sorting books for our Bookmobile. These books are then distributed for free over the summer months and at various events throughout the year.

To date we have given out over 19,000 books.

New/gently used children's books for grades PreK-12 can be donated to any of the schools or dropped off at Youth Services, 372 Hunting Hill Ave., Tuesday through Thusday between 11am and 4pm.

Volunteers are always welcome to help us clean, sort and distribute books. Please contact Bookmobile Chair, Rebecca Deotte at 860 918-4274 with any questions or the bookmobile office at 860 638-1463.

A special thank you to everyone who has donated books, all our volunteers; the Principals and staff volunteers, Stephanie Alderman (and her children), Altrusa Club, the Book Bower, Brenda Buzzi, Rebecca Deotte, Girl Scouts, and friends at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, Kiwanis, Donna Marino, Middlesex Hospital, Middletown Schools Association, Millard Group, Linda Polumski, Russell Library, Read to Grow, Inc., Reading Well for Kids, Lisa Santangelo, Saroptomist,Timeless Trendz Consignments, United Way, …

 

Middletown Reads

The bookmobile is a grassroots effort started in the summer of 2011 by a parent who is also a Parent Leadership graduate, Stephanie Alderman. Other initial partners were the Middletown Schools Association and the school principals.  Their mission was to address the “summer slide”, build home libraries and to build relationships with families where they live. This past summer we distributed close to 1,700 books to families throughout our community while visiting neighborhoods, Park and Recreation, YMCA and other camps. The bookmobile volunteers comprised of school staff, administrators, parents and other community partners have distributed close to 19,000 books over the past 7 years.                                         

Over the years so many other partners emerged and deserve our thanks: Russell Library, Read to Grow, the Partnership and Parent Leadership office, North End Action Team, Graustein Foundation, Family Resource Centers, Family School Connection, Youth Services, our Teaching and Learning Center, PTA/O’s, Altrusa, Soroptimist, Civitan, Book Bower, United Way, Middlesex Hospital, the Hospital of Special Care, Rushford, Reading Well for Kids, Millard Group, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, YMCA , Park and Recreation, Central Connecticut State College, … and many individuals and staff members who love children and love to read and spread the joy of a great book!

Staff enjoys driving the bookmobile and meeting families and our camp partners around the community. We also have the opportunity to distribute community resources and talk about the services available in the schools and the community.

Bookmobile work happens year-round with collection events, partnership development, lots of cleaning and sorting and of course the distribution of books. We also visit preschools and attend school and community events upon request.

The purpose of this program is simply to get kids to read. The students have created a summer reading goal. The principals will be driving a Bookmobile (van with music!) on Wednesdays and half of the town will be visited each week. See schedules below for more details. Award ceremonies will take place at each school in the fall.

Program includes:

  • Launch to summer reading with visits from the Russell Library.
  • Summer reading brochures with book selections and guidelines will be distributed to students before summer vacation. See below if you still need one.
  • Book Mobile: The Parent Leadership Office has been collecting and sorting books all year to load the van! The Bookmobile driven by our Principals will visit neighborhoods every Wednesday, June 15 through August 5.
  • On the back of the brochure is the book reading list for the appropriate grade:

Happy Reading!

Sun Reading

Middletown School's Bookmobile is off to our neighborhoods. Children at Farm Hill School select "Just Right Books" with the help of staff members.