text: Student developed summer assignments are better than those developed by teachers because teachers can eliminate the burden of students who do not complete the assignment, students can connect their interests to the curriculum, and teachers can cover a variety of topics to engage students. Summer is a time for students to relax and take a break from the heavy workload of school. However, it is also important for students to stay engaged by previewing course material for the upcoming school year. Although there are clear benefits to summer assignments, many students decide not to complete them. Teachers have to deal with an annual burden of students who do not complete their summer projects. This burden can easily be eliminated by changing the summer assignment to accommodate for students. This shift from teacher developed summer learning to student developed summer learning is essential for increased student engagement. When students connect their interests to a subject area, they will be more likely to develop an interest for that subject. Interest in a subject eventually leads to greater student engagement, which is the key to learning. Not only will students be more engaged, but when reviewing the projects, teacher will get to cover a variety of topics stemming from the curriculum that will greatly supplement their students' learning.