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Secondary English (Grades 6-12) |
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Recognizing the need for students to be prepared to read and to participate in society as literate citizens equipped
with the ability to communicate effectively, the English curriculum in Chesapeake addresses this need by encompassing
all of the English Standards of Learning as set forth by the Board of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The English standards are organized into four related strands (oral language, reading/literature, writing, and
research). Children in Chesapeake should be the recipients of a balanced instructional program that will support their
efforts in the community, in the work place, or in postsecondary education.
Information for Parents
Please help us to help your child to read and to write well.
- Provide an area of your home that will be designated just for reading and writing. The area will need good lighting,
a flat surface for writing, paper, pens, pencils, erasers, a dictionary, and a thesaurus.
- Encourage writing in your home. When your child has a writing assignment due, engage in a conversation about the
chosen topic. Focus on the ideas generated; encourage research and the time spent on writing. Because writing is
a process, students need to return to the same piece of writing several times. A polished finished product needs
effort and time. Be aware of this concept, please.
- Encourage reading in your home. Buy books or magazines as gifts whenever appropriate. Ask your child what he or
she is reading and discuss what you are currently reading.
English Summer Reading Guidelines
Because reading is such a necessary part of education, students should read throughout the calendar year. With this
idea in mind, summer or prerequisite reading will be mandatory for all honors English students, beginning with rising
sixth-grade students.
- Students who are scheduled to be in honors English will be required to read the following number of books
during the summer:
- Grade 6 - 1 book
- Grade 7 - 1 book
- Grade 8 - 2 books
- Grade 9 - 3 books
- Grade 10 - 3 books
- Grade 11 - 3 books
- Grade 12 - 4 books
- Activities to accompany the reading may be suggested to enhance retention, but the activities will not be required
during the summer (with the exception of Advanced Placement and Honors English 12 that may have mandated activities).
Modification may be made for individual students transferring from schools out of the district.
- The English department at individual schools will determine grade appropriate and available selections to be read.
The selections may be works for an entire class to read or may be from a list from which the students may select.
- Students may be able to secure books from the public library, school, book stores, personal libraries, or online.
- Teachers will assess student comprehension of summer reading during the first marking period of each term.
Grade-level teachers at the individual schools will collaborate 1) to develop a specific form of assessment
(e.g., book report, book jacket, oral book report, written test) and 2) to determine the grading (e.g., a quiz grade,
a homework grade) to ensure consistency. The assignment and grading will be explained to students in writing when the
assignment is given, and copies will be sent home to the parents and to the supervisor of English at the time of the
assignment.
Because all students are strongly encouraged to engage in summer reading, students scheduled to be in regular English
classes are encouraged (but are not required) to read any appropriate books available to them over the summer.
- Students may be able to secure appropriate books from the public library, school, bookstores, personal libraries, or
online.
- Students may take Accelerated Reader tests upon their return to school in the fall. Accelerated Reader guidelines
should be followed in choosing books on the students' appropriate levels. These readings may count toward
supplemental AR reading during the school year.
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