Summer Reading List (2013)
Grades 1 – 4 (Elementary)
Summer will soon be here and many students are looking forward to a break from schoolwork, but summer is not a time to take a break from reading! Research tells us that when students don’t read for two months their skills regress. Reading is a skill which requires practice, just like baseball or math facts. Summer reading helps students of all ages keep their skills sharp so they are ready when school begins again in the fall.
Our summer reading list includes a list of suggested book titles related to a specific theme which connects to our Caring School Communities curriculum. The themes for this year are; friendship for grades 1 and 2 and believe in yourself for grades 3 and 4. In the summer reading packet you will find:
- A list of titles related to the grade level theme
- Additional suggested titles (both fiction and nonfiction)
- A response page
- A reading log
After reading a book related to the grade level’s theme, students can complete the attached response form. When students return to school in September they will have an opportunity to share what they have read over the summer. Students can use their response form to help them remember what they read and how it relates to the theme. A reading log is included so students can keep track of all of their summer reading. We have included some additional suggested titles not related to the theme, however please feel free to choose books not on the list based on your child’s interests and reading ability to help keep your child reading all summer long! Students who complete the reading response and the reading log over the summer will receive a certificate of completion.
Reading and writing are fun! Please spend some time with your child sharing and talking about your favorite books, authors and topics you like to read about. Remember we don’t always have to read a book. There are many magazines and newspapers out there to interest children of all ages and abilities. Some of the most informative and entertaining writing can be found on the colorful pages of a magazine. If you have a child who is a reluctant reader, short magazine articles on topics of high interest may bring your child back to the printed page. For children who can’t get enough reading, magazines are an enriching supplement to the books they are already reading and may open their eyes to a new area of reading interest. They just may discover a new favorite magazine this summer. And remember, you don’t need to purchase magazines; the Boyden Library has a great selection of magazines that are available for children.
The list and forms are also available at the Boyden Library, which is now located at 15 Payson Road. The Adult and Children’s sections are open: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Directions to Boyden Library at Chestnut Green
To get from the Boyden Library to the Library at Chestnut Green, go north on Baker Street and turn left onto Chestnut Street. Follow Chestnut Street to PAYSON ROAD. Turn right onto PAYSON ROAD then turn into the parking lot at the PAYSON ROAD entrance across from the old auditorium. Look for the yellow Boyden Library sign. Please use the marked library entrance. The Library’s official address is 16 Chestnut Street; however, the library is at the back of the building on the PAYSON ROAD side, next door to the Medical Group Offices of Norwood Hospital.
We have also included a sampling of some of web sites, for parents and children that are available online. You will have to invest a little time to check to see if these websites fit the needs of your children. The web sites have literacy activities and information to help you keep your children reading and writing this summer.
Reading together, whether aloud or side by side, and talking about books is a very rewarding way to spend time together. Think of the great memories you will be creating. Have a great summer and keep on reading!
Websites for Kids:
- http://pbskids.org/lions
This is the website for the show Between the Lions. It has easy to read stories you can read on line (or printable), and games that go with each story plus more suggestions for stories to check out at the library. Also Word Games to play on-line, or to print out and play, and songs and video clips from the show. - http://pbskids.org/zoom/
Based on the TV show Zoom, this website has directions for activities you can do at home that were featured on the show. Science, “magic” phenomena, arts and crafts, songs, puppet plays, recipes and games are explained with easy to follow directions to try at home. - http://www.starfall.com/
Beginning readers can try the alphabet games and stories at this web site. - http://www.funbrain.com/brain/ReadingBrain/ReadingBrain.html
Mad-Libs to fill in, and web-books and comic books to read on-line - http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/
Reading Is Fundamental is a website where you can write stories with other kids around the country, listen to and read along with stories and songs, draw like your favorite illustrator, and browse book lists to find a good book. - http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/home_tumblebooks.asp
Tumblebooks are animated storybooks for younger readers. This website also has audio books, puzzles, and games for children to play as well.
Websites for Parents:
- http://www.commonsensemedia.org/mobile-app-lists/best-book-apps-kids
Common Sense Media is a trusted source for media recommendations for kids. This link will take you to their “Best Book Apps for Kids” recommendations. The apps are rated for learning and organized by age group. - http://www.readingrockets.org/article/15218/
This link will take you to a great article entitled, “Summer Reading Loss”, written by Maryann Mraz and Timothy Rasinski which discusses the affects of summer loss on student achievement and what can be done to help curb summer reading loss. - http://www.readingrockets.org
Reading Rockets: Tips for parents of kindergarteners, first graders, second graders, and third graders (written in English and in ten other languages.) Help your child learn to read and read to learn. - http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/
Home page for Jim Trelease, author of the best selling Read Aloud Handbook, is a great resource for information on reading.