Student Resources

The Importance of Summer Reading

Ready or not, the end of the school year and the start of summer vacation are just around the corner. No doubt you are astounded at the amount of content your child has covered in just one year’s time, but with summer break looming, you are probably eager to have your children extend their learning over the upcoming months. Summer reading is an easy, inexpensive, and enjoyable way for families to do just that! If books are chosen well and a few simple fluency-building techniques are used, reading comprehension and retention can continue to improve. Similarly, vocabulary development and content knowledge, which are critical for reading comprehension, can also be furthered through effective summer reading.

Book Choices

Granted, most children relish the extra freedom that comes with summer break, but it is amazing how much a simple reading list can help provide a little needed (and often welcomed) structure for children during the long summer months. The first step to creating a successful summer reading program in your home is to start with a written reading list for your child. You and your child can collaboratively establish this list. Many families also enjoy taking part in a public library summer reading program over the summer months to provide some structure to their reading. To help make the process easier, we have divided books into three simple categories below. You will probably find that left to their own devices, children are likely to choose heavily from the third category of books. Just as we would steer our children away from a steady diet of desserts toward a healthier diet, so too must we steer them toward healthy book choices. For that reason, helping your child choose heavily from the first two categories below and sparingly from the third, will provide a good balance and give them the opportunity for building reading comprehension and knowledge.

Categories:

• Fiction or non-fiction books that are at or slightly above your child’s reading level are suggested for comprehension building. A great place to start is the Classical School reading list. Often children want to revisit old favorites that they have previously read or books that are new to them from the list, but which are now below their reading level. Because of the high quality of these works of literature, these books should be included as an addition to the more challenging selections on their summer reading list. Use the reading list as a gauge for reading level, or speak with your child’s teacher.
• Content-based books are non-fiction books written about an area of history, math, science, music, or art that has sparked your child’s interest. Some of the books will be above your child’s reading level, but can make wonderful books to read aloud.
• “Dessert Books” are often contemporary books that children enjoy reading and can be generally read without much effort or assistance. These books typically lack challenging vocabulary and often use relatively simple grammatical writing structures. They are called “dessert books” because they are a small treat with minimal nourishment. They are fun to read, but do little to develop our children’s growing minds. It is easy for children to select summer reading from this category to the exclusion of the first two categories.

Fluency Improving Techniques

Increasing your child’s reading fluency should be one of the goals of your summer reading program. The National Institute for Literacy describes reading fluency as the “ability to read a text accurately and quickly.” Fluent readers “recognize words automatically. They group words quickly to help them gain meaning from what they read. Fluent readers read aloud effortlessly and with expression. Their reading sounds natural, as if they are speaking. Readers who have not yet developed fluency read slowly, word by word. Their oral reading is choppy and plodding.” Fluent readers comprehend what they are reading because do not need to take time to decode unfamiliar words and can therefore concentrate on the meaning of the text. Becoming a fluent reader happens gradually and requires years of practice and patience. Like becoming proficient on a musical instrument or pitching a softball, with repeated practice, fluent reading will happen!

Parroting

For younger children that are not yet firm in their reading fluency, parroting, or having the child repeat short reading passages after the adult readers has read them, is effective. If the child is hesitant to do this for you, start by having the child reread short passages with you and gradually work up to having him read it alone. This skill should be practiced with books at or slightly below the child’s reading level, in order to insure success and a feeling of accomplishment. It is extremely important that parroting is done in a supportive atmosphere. Do not set your child up for failure by making him or her read unfamiliar text in front of others (siblings, grandparents, friends, etc.) This technique is for practice, not performance.

Repeated Reading

Fluency can also be improved through repeated oral reading. Different from parroting, this technique requires that the child practice a passage repeatedly, often resulting in memorization. The child practices one passage from a book that is at or above his reading level until facile and then moves on to another new passage. Try to choose passages with challenging vocabulary to aid in vocabulary and background knowledge acquisition. Always offer assistance with pronunciation and word meaning. Dictionary use can also be practiced with unfamiliar words. Older, more fluent readers also benefit from this technique. Using poetry or parts of famous speeches works well with older children.

Reading Aloud

Reading aloud to your children is an effective method to improve fluency that can be easily practiced at home. In order for children to become fluent readers, they must first hear what fluent reading sounds like. By reading effortlessly and with expression, you can model for your children how a fluent reader sounds. Research shows that older students, grades 8 – 12, also benefit from hearing fluent reading. If you feel that you are not a strong reader, books on tape are an alternative available at public libraries and area bookstores.

Importance of Background Knowledge

All of this reading practice has the benefit of increasing fluency, thereby increasing reading comprehension. Since fluent readers do not need to take time to sound out the words in the text, they are able to easily decode the text and can concentrate on what the text is saying. Nevertheless, reading comprehension does not rely on fluent reading alone. Comprehension of both written and oral language is based upon one’s vocabulary and content knowledge. Even a fluent reader cannot understand the text if the ideas and words in the text are unfamiliar. As E.D. Hirsch explains, “Successful reading requires more than an ability to decode, or ‘sound out,’ words. It also requires adequate background knowledge, or ‘cultural literacy.’ Without background knowledge of history, literature, art, music, science, and math, students will read — but without comprehension.“ With this in mind, choosing books from the first two categories discussed above for your child’s summer reading is as important as any fluency exercises you may do with your child this summer. When reading aloud to your child, choose books that are above their reading level and contain complex vocabulary and rich content. This opens a world to our children that is not yet accessible to them through their own reading. The new information and vocabulary learned becomes part of their background knowledge, and background knowledge, along with a wide vocabulary, has been shown to be the best indicator of a student’s future reading success. Have a wonderful, safe summer. Happy reading!

Reading Lists

Note: There may be books on your child’s grade level list that are above his/her reading level. These books make great read-alouds! Some books will span more than one list.

Our Largest Fundraiser

Knowledge-A-Thon (KAT) is Classical School’s largest fundraiser. Occurring each spring, KAT involves all students answering grade-level questions based on the school’s curriculum. Supporters pledge donations per correct answer or on a lump-sum basis.

Many activities designed to help students study their questions while having fun lead up to KAT day. On the day of KAT, students have the option to dress up as a KAT question or answer. 

For more information about KAT, please contact our Principal, Thomas Bomann at bomannthomas@aasd.k12.wi.us.

2023 KAT Pledge Sheet

The 2023 KAT questions are on Quizlet. You may need to create a free Quizlet account in order to save the KAT questions or to have the ability to print the questions. Alternatively, you may use the documents below. 

2023 KAT Questions – Kindergarten

2023 KAT Questions – 1st Grade

2023 KAT Questions – 2nd Grade

2023 KAT Questions – 3rd Grade

2023 KAT Questions – 4th Grade

2023 KAT Questions – 5th Grade

2023 KAT Questions – 6th Grade

2023 KAT Questions – 7th Grade

2023 KAT Questions – 8th Grade

New Opportunities

Classical School is pleased to offer a host of wonderful programs and activities each year for our students. The list below includes activities and events that have run in prior years and may continue again this year based on sufficient participation, supervision, and funds. If you are interested in presenting a new opportunity for our students, please contact our Principal, Thomas Bomann, at bomannthomas@aasd.k12.wi.us.

Battle of the Books

The statewide Battle of the Books’ program is designed to promote a love of reading among our students. It encourages students to read a variety of books and remember information about the plots, characters, and settings of the books. Every question asked in a battle is answered by the title and author of the book and takes the form of: Name the book in which a horse and a boy are stranded on an island. School districts throughout the state have used this fun, academic-based competition as a tool for encouraging students to read.

Chess Club

We are in need of a coordinator in order to run Chess club. Information on Chess Club will be sent home later in the school year based on available advisors.

Concordia Language Village

To further enhance our Spanish language instruction, Classical organizes a trip to Concordia Language Village in Bemidji, Minnesota for 7-8th grade students.

Forensics

Classical students in grades 5 – 8 may participate on the Classical Forensics team. Students will participate in local competitions.

KidStage

KidStage® was founded in 1997 with the mission of providing K-12 grade students the opportunity to have their lives enriched through the performing arts. Self-expression, self-discovery, and personal growth are just some of the benefits of being involved in the performing arts. Practices run for 12 weeks with a performance at the end.

Math Help Club

Math help is available after school for students in Saxon 76, Saxon Algebra ½, Saxon Algebra, and Saxon Geometry. Please check the school calendar for the schedule.

Music

Band

5-8 grade students

Orchestra

4-8 grade students

Choir

7-8 Grade Students

Regional Solo & Ensemble

6-8 grade students participate in both vocal/piano and instrumental events on two separate weekends in late February and early March.

Opera for the Young

Running Club

The Classical Running Club will provide an opportunity to build confidence and self-esteem through developing strong bodies and minds in a noncompetitive setting. The club will encourage team support and the joy of lifelong fitness with the goal of completing the 2.5 mile “Sam I Am” run in May which supports a Classical School classmate. Topics to be covered include: goal setting, pacing, proper stretching & running technique, breathing, strength, team support and encouragement, and building relationships through running games

Safety Patrol

Students in grades 5 and 6 are eligible to apply for safety patrol to help keep our school grounds safe before and after school.

Ski Club

Students in grades 7 and 8 have the opportunity to participate in Ski Club each winter. The students usually have three or four ski trips in a season. Various packages are available that include lessons, different combinations of equipment rental, and lift tickets.

Spelling Bee (CESA 6)

Third through eighth grade students participate in the school bee. The school winner has the opportunity to advance to the regional, state and/or national bee.

Sports

Seventh and eighth grade girls and boys participate as members of Einstein Middle School teams: Cross Country, Football, Softball, Volleyball, Wrestling, Basketball, and Track and Field.

Student Council

Student Council provides an opportunity for students to learn about the democratic process and to develop leadership skills. The Student Council meets regularly, is led by the officers, and is supervised by faculty advisers.

We Are Classical

We are Classical is a club designed to help provide support to our new students and assist them in their transition to making connections with their peers. 

Yearbook

The Classical School yearbook is published yearly for distribution at the end of each school year. The yearbook includes individual pictures of each student and teachers from picture day, plus candid photographs from throughout the school year. A group of seventh and eighth grade students work with an adviser to coordinate the production of the yearbook.

YMCA Learning Center After-School Program

The YMCA provides childcare at Classical School after school. The after-school program ends at 6:00pm. The YMCA offers a sliding fee scale for families who cannot afford the full cost of care. Further information and registration may be obtained by calling (920) 954-7641.