Summer at SJS was started to continue to support kids during the summer. We hope to inspire a love of learning during the months traditionally "off" school.
Why is it so important to practice and continue to nurture reading and writing skills during the summer?
The summer months account for a drop in reading level for many children. Keeping up with reading and writing over the summer will ease the burden of reentry to academics in the fall. This is especially true for those moving into middle school, as the transition is already challenging.
Essential for Rising 6th Graders:
Learn tips for success in middle school.
Develop a lifelong love of reading.
Understand and develop reading comprehension strategies.
Essential for Rising 7th-8th Graders:
Dive into books which will challenge and excite you.
Practice good reading comprehension skills.
Further develop efficient reading strategies to prepare for high school and college.
Each week-long session is dedicated to an individual text. Classes meet on the Snoqualmie Campus. By participating in the program, your child receives individualized attention focused on his or her reading and writing skills. Classes are held to 10 students to allow for one-one-one instruction time. Sessions are structured to include reading and writing time, but also for group discussion and fun activities to enrich the texts we study. A range of book genres have been chosen so that students can find something they already enjoy, but also so that they can experience a style they know less about. Best of all, sessions are planned so that reading before class begins is NOT necessary. Copies of the text are provided for them to keep. While the primary text is the main focus, additional books are used for reference and are recommended for further study. Come to read. Come to learn. Come to enjoy!
Who's Teaching These Sessions?
About Mrs. White:
Planning her 15th year teaching at St. Joseph School, Mrs. White holds a B.A. in English and an M.Ed. from Western Washington University. Before she came to SJS, she taught high school English, but she loves being the 8th grade language arts and literature teacher here. She also teaches drama and speech, and directs the middle school play. If not reading or playing with paint and paper, she is hiking with her little black lab, carpooling to soccer practice, or cooking for her family.
“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word."
-Emily Dickinson
About Mrs. Bemis:
Mrs. Bemis is completing her 5th year at SJS. She completed her undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, focusing in English and Music. After earning her BA degree, Mrs. Bemis journeyed to Hong Kong, to teach abroad. She returned to the Seattle area directing theater classes and programs for middle school and directing summer programs at Forest Ridge. She later began graduate work at Northwest University, intermittently teaching at Forest Ridge, The Little School and Tahoma Middle School. She has been a private tutor and reading coach for many years. Mrs. Bemis holds her Bachelors in English and Music and her Masters in Teaching. She will graduate from SPU with a Masters in Educational Leadership and a Principal Certification in June 2017! Mrs. Bemis' passion is spreading the love of literature! Especially during the summer, you will find Mrs. Bemis with her nose in a book!
"Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly."
–Inkheart, Cornelia Funke