Summer Reading Instructions 2025

One of our academic goals for Brentwood Christian School students is to increase the students’ reading skills and encourage them to develop an enjoyment of reading. Reading for pleasure is one of the absolute best ways to improve reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking, and writing skills – without even thinking consciously about it. In this regard, we have developed a summer reading program that includes both required and extra-credit reading for all 3rd-12th grade students.

Summer Required Reading:

Elementary Students grades 3rd through 5th must read the novel required for their grade level. Students will be tested on the novel at the beginning of the school year.

Middle School Students in grades 6th through 7th should choose one of the novels on the Summer Reading List for their grade level to read over the summer break and be ready to write a critic’s essay in class. Instructions on how to write a critic’s essay will be given the first week of school.

Middle School Students in grade 8 must read the novel required for their English class. At the beginning of the school year, there will be a test and/or a writing project based on the novel.

High School Students in grades 9th through 12th must read the novel required for their English class. At the beginning of the school year, there will be a test and/or a writing project based on the novel. Additional worksheets will need to be completed for incoming 10th through 12th grade students.

Extra Credit Reading:

Elementary Students grades 3rd through 5th may also read up to three extra credit books for their grade level from the Summer Reading List. 4th and 5th grade will need to fill out the form for each extra credit book using the link below. This completed form should be handwritten. 3rd grade students will take an AR test over each extra credit book read upon returning to school in August for credit.

4th and 5th Grade Reading Verification Form

Middle School Students grades 6th through 8th may also read up to three extra credit books for their grade level from the Summer Reading List. Students will take an AR test over each extra credit book read. For each passing AR test score, they will receive an additional 100 test grade for Term 1. AR test must be taken in class August, 20-September, 12.

High School Students grades 9th through 12th may receive an additional 100 test grade in Term 1 for reading the extra credit and participating in a discussion about the book with their teacher. One extra credit book per class, up to three total.

Students should follow the process below to earn their extra credit:

• Complete THIS FORM after reading each extra credit book. Deadline to read extra credit books and to complete this form is August 23, 2025.
• Teachers will schedule a lunch discussion with you to discuss each book that you’ve read and allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the readings. Discussions will be scheduled between August 25 – September 12, 2025.
• At the end of your discussion, you will fill out an online form which will complete the extra credit verification process. This verification form must be completed before you leave the classroom. All verification forms are due on or before September 12, 2025.