As if the fact that
kids spend almost 10 months of their entire year stuck in some classroom, learning useless information and getting their rights and individuality stripped away wasn't enough torture, somebody thought it'd be a good idea to start off the
kids' summer by essentially giving them a project. That is basically what a summer assignment is.
Most people that
run these school systems are oblivious to the fact that: A)
Kids are not going to magically become more literate by being forced to read some crappy novel B) Most
kids don't even read the books they're given, instead relying on the internet (A.K.A. that
thing that proved that school is 100% obsolete) to give them a quick summary of it, and doing their 5 page
essay on that and C) Most
kids would rather NOT think about school during the only time they have off.
It's almost similar to when they send you packets to do during Christmas Vacation, and you were too busy doing those to actually enjoy playing your new video game
system (because homework packets make everybody feel jolly!). Except imagine them taking a bite out of your summer instead. That is what summer assignments are like.
Students: "3....2.....1!!!! Summer is finally here!!!!"
Teacher: "Enjoy your summer. By the way, don't forget to write that 10-page
essay and complete your summer assignment while the rest of your
family is at the pool actually doing something fun!"