When school lets out for summer, it’s tempting for students to close the books and focus on fun. But for 5th to 7th graders, summer is a critical time to keep reading—not just to prevent "summer slide," but to build skills that set them up for success.

When children encounter poetry, something magical happens. The rhythm, rhyme, and playful language spark curiosity and joy, while vivid images and clever wordplay invite them to see the world in new ways. But the benefits of poetry go far beyond simple enjoyment: reading, writing, and memorizing poetry help young learners grow intellectually, emotionally, and academically.

National assessments reveal a troubling reality every year: nearly 75% of 8th and 12th-graders in the United States are not proficient in writing. Public school students, in particular, make 51% more writing errors than their private school peers. This is not just an English class problem; it is a communication crisis affecting students across all subjects.

Classic literature is not just about reading old stories; it is about learning to read closely, think critically, and write with purpose. In my classroom, classic works become springboards for students to develop essential reading and writing skills while exploring the richness of the human experience. Here’s how our approach to reading and writing with the classics evolves from middle school to high school and why it matters.