Get ready for an unforgettable summer reading adventure! From May 30 - July 25, Lexington High is participating in “Splash into Stories,” Beanstack’s summer reading challenge. As you start the summer seeking rest and relaxation, remember that reading is the perfect way to unwind. Let your inner reader shine and dive into a new book! Students are invited to immerse themselves in the wonderful world of books and discover the joy of reading, absolutely anything they desire.

We challenge everyone in our community to read and log at least 600 minutes during the challenge. For logging your minutes read, you will earn fun, new badges, and the top-performing libraries and schools have a chance to win special prizes from Beanstack.

How to Participate:

1. Read Anything! Explore any books, e-books, magazines, or graphic novels. There are no required titles!
2. Log in to Beanstack using your Lexington One account. 
3. Track Your Reading: Log the books and time you spent reading throughout the summer.
4. Earn Rewards & Recognition: Participate in the challenge for opportunities to earn digital badges and potential recognition when school resumes in the fall.

Don't let summer be a reading drought! Dive in and "Splash Into Stories" with Lexington High School! 

IB Literature HL Summer Assignment: Class of 2027

JUNIORS--Class of 2027:  In preparation for our in-depth study of all things literature, students will read Thomas C. Foster’s How to Read Literature Like a Professor. This is an engaging guide to literary analysis that is referenced frequently throughout the course. It is an expectation that you have read the entire book before you come to our first class in the fall. 

How to Read Literature Like a Professor on Amazon

In addition to reading the book, you will choose 1 of the following assignments to complete:

1. "Professor for a Day" Analysis:

• Task: Select a short story, poem, or a significant excerpt from a play you’ve read previously (or a new, short piece) to read again. As you reread the piece, notice symbols and patterns that Foster discusses. Do you see a new level of meaning now that you can recognize certain frequently used patterns? 
• Activity: In a well-structured essay analyze your chosen literary piece through the lens of Foster’s chapters. You must explicitly demonstrate how Foster's concepts illuminate aspects of the text you might not have noticed before. This essay should be a minimum of 3 pages double-spaced.

2. Resonance Journal:

• Task: As you read Foster's book, keep a journal where you respond to his ideas and/or connect his concepts to literary works you already know. 
• Activity: For each journal entry, you must show thoughtful reflection on the content of the chapter. You do not need to do every chapter, but in total, you should have at least 15 journal entries.

3. "Challenging the Professor" Response:

• Task: Read Foster's book critically. For each part or a selection of chapters, identify a point where you agree strongly, disagree, or find something that needs further clarification or nuance.
• Activity: In a written response, articulate your reasoning, providing examples from your own reading experience or literary knowledge to support your perspective. This should be a minimum of 3 pages double-spaced.

4. "Foster in Action" Creative Piece:

• Task: Write a short creative piece (a short story, poem, or a scene from a play) where you consciously incorporate several of the literary devices or conventions discussed by Foster.
• Activity: Along with your creative piece, you should include a brief author's note explaining how you intentionally employed Foster's concepts and what meaning you hoped to create.