SUMMER ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES:

• To prepare to hit the ground running in August (...to start a college level composition course)
• To build reading stamina, vocabulary development, and community: we are in this TOGETHER; we need to push each other!
• To observe, engage with, and respond to the world around us; to catalyze intellectual curiosity and critical thinking

These slides explain your summer assignment. They provide the expectations and ways you can design your approach.

How to join our Schoology course…

• Go to the BCHS website.
• Under the Students tab, using the drop down menu, click on Schoology (Jeffco).
• Sign in to Schoology with your BCHS student ID & password.
• Once signed in, click on My Courses (top gray bar); you'll see an option to join a course.
• Put in our course code: SVDM-GFNQ-5GF54
• Schoology Directions.

Schoology tutorial

We use Schoology b/c it’s similar to college learning manage- ment systems like Canvas.

Summer Assignment DIRECTIONS (all the steps!)

• By June 1, sign up for the Summer Challenge | Jeffco Public Library and download the Beanstack app to log your participation. After you sign up, visit a Jeffco Public Library and choose your free book!
• Using the Jeffco Public Library Summer Challenge badge system (in Beanstack) as a guide, set a READING goal (see next slide). Food for Thought: 11 Reading Goals in 2024
• What would be a good amount of reading for you to put in, thinking about where your current reading stamina is and where you’d like it to be?
• Read. Read. Read. Carry reading materials with you. Reading is THE BEST practice you can do!
• Record your reading sessions in Beanstack (see step 6). Eventually you will screenshot all your data in Beanstack to submit in Schoology.
• Keep track of both your minutes & your mediums – books, magazines, audio books, graphic novels, comic books…it ALL counts).
• Post periodically to our Schoology discussion board.
• Post at least two times in June and two times in July!
• Posts must be made at least 48 hours (2 days) apart.
• Pick among the choices for posting approaches (see slide 5).
• Submit your Beanstack screenshots & goal setting sheet in August when class starts (see slide 13 for an example of how to prepare them).

Goal Setting Sheet

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You can print off your own copy or get a hard copy from me!

Click here!

Schoology Discussion Board Posting Options:

at least 2 in June, at least 2 in July

• Post a pic or video of you with your reading material somewhere cool – picking out a new book at THE LIBRARY, bookstore, thrift store; reading outside; reading on vacation; reading to a younger sibling; etc. Include a caption that explains where you are and what you’re reading (and how you’re enjoying it).
• Give a reading recommendation to your classmates – a shoutout to a text you are currently enjoying that you encourage others to read. Include a pic of you reading it.
• Share a new learning – something you didn’t know before you read it somewhere this summer: a factoid, an anecdote, a mysterious situation, etc. Explain WHERE you encountered the info and why you were reading the text in the first place!
• Discuss a rabbit-hole you tumbled down. You were reading about something, then you had to go look up something related to the reading, and from there you had to click on something else… You know how it goes…

ALL Posts: Make it PERSONAL! If ChatGPT could write it, we’re not interested. We’re working to build a communications community. We need YOUR voice.

There are some examples later in this slide deck.

Jeffco Public Library Summer Reading Program

Summer Challenge | Jefferson County Public Library

The next 6 slides step you through the library’s program.

Register to Read and Achieve (Opens May 1)

Library Summer Challenge Age Groups

• Babies (0 – 2)
• Kids (3 – 11)
• Teens (12 – 18)
• Adults (19+)

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All ages can participate in the Library Summer Challenge! Register yourself and your family to begin logging your activities and reading time starting June 1! Register online, by downloading the Beanstack app, visiting any library location or by calling 303.235.5275, starting May 1. If you participated in last year’s program, sign in to the Beanstack app using your account from last year. If this is your first time, create a new account. Trouble logging in? Our FAQs can help you navigate signing into your account.

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Could you talk another family member into participating with you…like a younger sibling, a kid you babysit, a cousin, a nephew, a grandparent? Reading is very personal, but it can also be social. Reading out loud to someone else totally counts toward your reading time.

Being a role model to a younger reader is so very valuable!

Log Activities or Reading Sessions

Keep your mind active and sharp during the summer! Read, complete activities and track your progress to earn prizes! Complete repeatable activities or record reading sessions starting June 1 and through July 31 online via the desktop app, by downloading the Beanstack mobile app or by paper tracker. The last day to record your points for the Summer Challenge is August 7.

Trackers

• Teens (12 - 18)

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Download Beanstack App

The Beanstack mobile tracker app makes it easy to log your reading and activities!

• Search for “Beanstack” in the app store on your device and install it.
• Find Jefferson County Public Library.
• Sign in or sign up for an account.
• Use the timer to track your reading minutes. Make sure to mark which fun activities you’ve done, too!

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Beanstack Tracker - Apps on Google Play

Beanstack Tracker on the App Store

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Achieve Your Goals

Begin your Summer Adventure while having fun in the sun! Earn prizes by accumulating points when you have fun with the Library Summer Challenge!

• 1 activity = 25 points
• 1 minute of reading = 1 point
• Registration Prize = A Free Book, go early so you have the best selection to choose from
• 500 points = Finisher Prize
• Every 500 points you earn after the first 500 = entry into the Grand Prize Drawing

All activities and reading sessions are repeatable. The more points you log, the more fun badges and prizes you’ll earn along the way!

Keep logging activities and reading sessions all summer long! Every additional 500 point you log gets you an additional entry into the Grand Prize Drawing for a new iPad (limit 15 entries). Logging points will also benefit your BCHS Library and your community in the form of cash donations.

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Earn Prizes

Great prizes are available for every age group! Earn great prizes when you accept our Summer Challenge. Prizes available starting June 1, and available while supplies last.

• Registration prize: Earning this prize is easy. Simply register online, then visit a Jeffco Public Library to choose your FREE BOOK! (Available after June 1).
• Completion prize: Earn 500 points by completing repeatable activities or recording reading sessions to earn.
• Grand Prize Drawing: Every 500 points earned after completing the challenge (500 points), enters you into a drawing for a free iPad! (Limit 15 entries). We'll be drawing for the Grand Prize Drawing on August 16 and will contact the lucky winner later that week.

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The more points you earn, the more community members benefit! In partnership with Outdoor Lab Foundation…

we'll be enriching the lives of sixth grade and high school students in Jefferson County. For every 5 million points we earn as a group, the Outdoor Lab Foundation will get $100, up to a maximum of $500, to support their program! Start reading and completing activities like wild and watch the rewards pile up for Outdoor Lab!

Milestone 1: 5 Million Points = $100 award

Milestone 2: 10 Million Points = $200 award

Milestone 3: 15 Million Points = $300 award

Milestone 4: 20 Million Points = $400 award

Milestone 5: 25 Million Points = $500 award

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What to Screenshot on Beanstack at the End of July

(to show Fjetland in the fall – upload them to a Google Doc)

Make sure your name shows!

When you click on “print” in the Reading Log section, you get this snazzy feature!

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Be sure to log your titles!

Ideas to help you customize your approach…

The rest of the slides in this collection provide ideas and resources for individualizing your summer assignment. How can you design it to fit your unique interests and needs – into YOUR summer?

Supporting Readers and Their Goals (adapted from Set Reading Goals)

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Step 1- Let Readers Set their own Goals

• Let readers choose the books they read.
• Let readers abandon books. Some books are not a good fit. Let the reader determine this. We all abandon books. If they will be forced to finish whatever they start, they may be reluctant to start.

Step 2- Fill Your Home with Books

• Research strongly suggests that literacy-rich spaces encourage reading.

Step 3- Read with Others

• Have a set time to read every day.
• Make it special with fun snacks, cozy blankets, funny read alouds, or one-on-one time.

Step 4- Celebrate Success

• Reward goal-hitting by buying a new book, watching the movie, going out for ice cream, etc.

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What would make you feel accomplished? How are you setting yourself up for success?

Get reading materials now, before you leave for the summer!

You can check out LMC books over the summer! Pick a top choice and a back up (in case your first one doesn’t hit the right note for you).

I have lots of reading materials to loan out over the summer too, namely a pretty healthy collection of humor writers (like Demetri Martin, Jim Gaffigan, David Sedaris, Phoebe Robinson, etc.) and tons of National Geographic magazines.

Swing by W207 to check out books from Fjetland’s collection.

Concerts in Clement Park | Littleton, CO

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Belmar Events

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Toss a book in your bag and go participate in your community: farmers’ markets, music in the park, sports events, food fests, etc.

I love the potential with pictures b/c you can showcase how other passions & reading might overlap.

Book suggestions from your APUSH teachers…

Get ready for BOTH classes simultaneously!

Beloved - Toni Morrison

Homegoing - Yaa Gyasi

The Nickel Boys - Colson Whitehead

Alex and Eliza - Melissa De la Cruz

The 57 Bus - Dashka Slater

Alice and Freda Forever - Alexis Cold

Becoming Maria - Sonia Manzano

A Few Red Drops - Claire Hartfield

March (Series) - John Lewis

#NotYourPrincess - Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

We Are Not Yet Equal - Carol Anderson and Tonya Bolden

Stamped - Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

How the Word is Passed - Clint Smith III

12 Years a Slave - Solomon Northup

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Taking APUSH next year? Maximize your efforts and read a book that helps with both classes!

African American Read In.

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Check out this virtual book tasting from BCHS’s 2nd Annual AARI this past February!

A “top 100” list BY TEENS for NPR (National Public Radio)

Your Favorites: 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels

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Did your favorites make the cut?

Looking for recommendations? This list was voted on by teens.

Celebrating PRIDE Month! | Tattered Cover Book Store

LGBTQIA+ Books for Teens & YA | Tattered Cover Book Store

Have some fun with it. How can you challenge your comfort zone a bit? Mix it up? Try something new?

Keep a running list of titles you’d like to read…

Like to doodle? Add an artistic element to your process.

By now I hope you’re getting the idea that I’m encouraging you to “own” this assignment in your own unique way. Do it a way that only YOU can. This is YOUR education. Make it fit YOU!

I’m excited to start getting to know you this summer through your reading choices and your posts. We’re going to have a great year together. I already know it.

-Fjetland

Get a head start: find a book(s) to check out from our BCHS Library BEFORE you leave for summer!

Happy Reading!

Printable Directions… Slide 31-32

Summer Assignment DIRECTIONS (all the steps!)

• By June 1, sign up for the Summer Challenge | Jeffco Public Library and download the Beanstack app to log your participation. After you sign up, visit a Jeffco Public Library and choose your free book!
• Using the Jeffco Public Library Summer Challenge badge system (in Beanstack) as a guide, set a READING goal (see next slide). Food for Thought: 11 Reading Goals in 2024
• What would be a good amount of reading for you to put in, thinking about where your current reading stamina is and where you’d like it to be?
• Read. Read. Read. Carry reading materials with you. Reading is THE BEST practice you can do!
• Record your reading sessions in Beanstack (see step 6). Eventually you will screenshot all your data in Beanstack to submit in Schoology.
• Keep track of both your minutes & your mediums – books, magazines, audio books, graphic novels, comic books…it ALL counts).
• Post periodically to our Schoology discussion board.
• Post at least two times in June and two times in July!
• Posts must be made at least 48 hours (2 days) apart.
• Pick among the choices for posting approaches (see slide 6).
• Submit your Beanstack screenshots & goal setting sheet in August when class starts (see slide 13 for an example of how to prepare them).

Schoology Discussion Board Posting Options:

at least 2 in June, at least 2 in July

• Post a pic or video of you with your reading material somewhere cool – picking out a new book at THE LIBRARY, bookstore, thrift store; reading outside; reading on vacation; reading to a younger sibling; etc. Include a caption that explains where you are and what you’re reading (and how you’re enjoying it).
• Give a reading recommendation to your classmates – a shoutout to a text you are currently enjoying that you encourage others to read. Include a pic of you reading it.
• Share a new learning – something you didn’t know before you read it somewhere this summer: a factoid, an anecdote, a mysterious situation, etc. Explain WHERE you encountered the info and why you were reading the text in the first place!
• Discuss a rabbit-hole you tumbled down. You were reading about something, then you had to go look up something related to the reading, and from there you had to click on something else… You know how it goes…

ALL Posts: Make it PERSONAL! If ChatGPT could write it, we’re not interested. We’re working to build a communications community. We need YOUR voice.

There are some examples later in this slide deck.