High School Reading
Summer Reading Information 2025 - English Department
The Southington High School English Department encourages all students to read throughout the summer. This reading can be from a variety of genres and tailored to student interest. All reading is valuable, but students should read texts that are appropriate to their grade level. Below are two resources that may provide ideas for books that students will find interesting and that are of sufficient challenge.
Students entering AP Literature and Composition or AP Language and Composition have required reading assignments that appear at the bottom of the Grade 12 & AP section.
Upon return to school, students will complete two benchmark assessments to provide data regarding student reading and writing ability that will inform instruction and goal setting.
This year, the English department will use CommonLit, a free online reading program that allows all students to make measurable gains in their reading and writing. The platform provides teachers with three grade-level benchmark assessments that students will complete throughout the school year. These diagnostic assessments give us helpful information on how our students are performing on key skills at their grade level and where they might need further support. These assessments also provide information on how students are performing compared to their peers nationally.
The writing benchmark will be based on a short piece. The pieces for each grade and level are linked below. Students should read and annotate the pieces prior to the class when they will complete the writing.