text: Summer projects are the first way a teacher gets to know what a student is like. If every one of the teacher's students is assigned the same exact project, they likely won't be able to tell much about the student. But, if a student is able to pick their own assignment, the teacher can begin to get an idea of how that student learns. For example, if the students are told to read a book but are allowed to choose their own projects, one student might choose to rewrite a scene of the book form a different perspective. This could tell the teacher that this student is a good reader and writer who understands the text they are given. Another student could choose to make a three dimensional model of something significant in the book, telling the teacher they are more creative and visual. This allows teachers to start to know their students.