CCHS Summer Reading

We are very excited to have you dialogue about the summer 2010 reading here on our department’s blog (no credit will be given for blogging on another site).  You will need to click on the grade level to the left and follow the directions.  Note that you do not have to “join” to be able to post comments.  Rather, your comments will be approved and posted when the administrators approve them.  Each course requires students to read and blog a minimum of 4 times per book read during the summer.  You are certainly welcome to post more than 4 times.  All blogging needs to be completed by August 25, 2010 at the latest regardless of what semester you have English.   Click here to see the rubric and read how your assignment will be assessed:  Summer Reading 2010 Blog Rubric

If you do not have regular access to internet at home, don’t fret.  Both the public library in Currituck and the one in Moyock have public use computers available.  You may want to look here to check their website for hours (http://www.earlibrary.org/currituck/index.html) or call them (Currituck:  453-8345; Moyock:  435-6419).  You may also want to check with a friend who has internet or call the high school or middle school to see if you could go use the library’s computers during summer school or when someone is in the building. There are also locations within the county with free wi-fi such as the Burger King in Moyock.  Think outside the box and use your problem-solving skills to get access to the internet.  If you have tried all these resorts with no success, please contact Valerie Person at 453-0014 to work out an alternate solution.

A lot of these titles are available for check-out in our library, but some choices are not.  Check out the books from CCHS library BEFORE final exams begin.  However, we encourage students to purchase their own copies as they are able because it allows the student the opportunity to do a closer reading and annotate his/her ideas and important passages.  Many of these titles can be purhased inexpensively at places like www.half.com, www.abebooks.com, www.powells.com, www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.  If you have a Kindle, Nook, Ipad, or some other type of e-reader, you may want to look at purchasing an e-version of the title.  A list of the titles have been sent to the public library and to Page After Page Bookstore in Elizabeth City, NC.  Often, titles can be found at the Recycled Reader in Elizabeth City as well.  You may also want to check with upper classmen as some of these titles have been assigned before and you may be able to secure a copy from a former student.  Happy Reading.   Remember,  summer reading is not an oxymoron. 

A few helpful reminders:

1. Take a look at the rubric  (handout) so that you will understand the criteria for assessment.

2.  This blog aims to create an ongoing dialogue between peers on the summer reading.  Although you are assessed based on the posts you contribute to the title you are assigned, you may also want to join in on some of the other conversations on other titles you may have read or are reading.  Because we want to keep the dialogue sustained, we highly recommend you adhere to the suggested schedule below.  Keep in mind that you don’t have to finish reading the entire book to be able to post the first couple of times.  In fact, we would encourage you to post during your reading so that you take advantage of the opportunity to pose questions you may have, seek clarification, pose theories and offer insight.  Make sure you post at least once after you finish reading the entire book BUT please, caution your readers with a spoiler alert before you give away the ending.  We are NOT looking for plot summary.  This does not demonstrate your understanding of the book.  We are attaching a handout to this page that makes recommendations for the types of contributions you might consider for your posts.  Plot summary will not be scored highly nor will waiting to the last minute to do all your posting.  This does not promote sustained dialogue over the summer.  Click here to see a suggested list of prompts and questions:  Blog prompts and questions

By July 1, 2010, you should make a minimum of first post

By July 15, 2010, you should have made second post

By August 1, 2010, you should have made third post

By August 20, 2010, you should have made fourth post

3.  Make sure when you post, you post to the title of the book you are reading.  A few in past have posted to this general page about a specific title.  You need to find the grade level on the right hand side and click there; then find the specific title of book you are reading and click to post unless you have a logistical question that pertains to the blog in general such as the inquiries we received about the rubric.  In that case, you would post on the general welcome page.

4.  When you post, make sure you put the initial of your first name and your last name at the end of your post, so that we will know whom to give credit to. You are welcome to put your whole name if you like.

5.  Don’t panic when you don’t see your post show up immediately after you click.  It goes to the moderator’s list to approve before it shows up.  We are checking the blog every couple of days if not every single day, so check back in a couple of days to see if it’s been posted after that.  If still not showing, e-mail Miss Person at vperson@currituck.k12.nc.us

6.  Think about your tone in posting and practice good “netiquette.”  Netiquette is essentially good manners online.  Feel free to engage people in debate and critical thought but use appropriate tone and vocabulary to do so.  We are a community here, so always keep in mind what you can to do make a positive contribution to this academic online community.

7.  You should bring your summer reading book to class the first day (whether it’s first or second semester) as you will need it for assignments in the first weeks of school.  You may want to hang onto your copy so that you can share or sell it to a rising student next year.  Or, you may want to donate it to the CCHS library as they have a drawing annually.  For every book donated, a student earns a ticket in the raffle.

Questions or concerns?  Please e=mail Valerie Person at vperson@currituck.k12.nc.us or call CCHS and leave a message for Miss Person with the secretary.  The number is 453-0014.