During the summer, each incoming 1st grader is encouraged to READ DAILY!
Read EVERYTHING! (books, magazines, signs, menus, etc.)
Practice ALL the letter sounds A-Z and the short and long vowel sounds (see below for examples)
Study and memorize sight/heart words your child learned (or didn’t quite master) in Kindergarten. Have your child find these words as they read.
Local Library:
Check out your local library (here or wherever you’re visiting/vacationing)
Look for level 1 books or easy readers, search “decodable readers” or look in the RDR section
Apps:
EPIC
Khan academy Kids
Hoopla: available with use of your Broward County Library card
Online Resources:
Half Pint Kids Check out this website for free decodable books. Start at level A books encouraging your children to sound out the words and move along through Level C
Flyleaf Publishing Check out this website for free books online, reviewing Kindergarten skills with the Emergent Readers and moving toward 1st grade skills.
Amazon:
Search “Decodable books grade 1” and find book packs such as “Developing Decoders, Nonfiction Phonics readers, The Science of Reading Decodable Readers Short or long vowels”
Search “Level d readers” (this is recommended reading level to begin 1st grade) and find book packs such as “First Little Readers Level D” or “Guided Science Readers Level D”
Find books about things that interest your child and let them choose books with your guidance.
Check out your local library (here or wherever you’re visiting/vacationing) for some summer reading programs. The Panthers Kids Club even has a summer reading program! FL Panthers Summer Reading
The Book IT program is back. Book It Program
Read more difficult books aloud to your child: this will help your child strengthen and develop their vocabulary.
Remember: reading should be FUN! If your child has some difficulty reading, be patient and supportive in assisting them. Reading is a developmental process, and it will take time for your child to learn how to read. As partners in education, we need to provide a positive environment that encourages children to challenge themselves.
Picture Books
Here are series that you can read to your child to get them excited about reading! We will study some of these authors throughout the school year.
Mo Willems: Pigeon and Elephant and Piggie Books
Laura Numeroff: If you give a mouse a cookie…
Doreen Cronin: Click, Clack, Moo series
Stan and Jan Berenstain: The Berenstain Bears books
Mercer Mayer
Book Series
Great for incoming 1st graders to begin to read on their own and throughout this next year:
Arnold Lobel: Frog and Toad books
Peggy Parish: Amelia Bedelia books
Cynthia Rylant: Henry & Mudge Books
Pete the Cat
Fly Guy
Biscuit
Share and show your child all the ways that math is involved in daily life: through telling time, measurement, adding and subtracting, etc.
Practice identifying, writing, and counting numbers 1-20 (and beyond).
Practice counting by 5’s, 10’s first, then count by 2’s
Ask your child: “what is 10 more than ___” or “what is 10 less than____?” Use a number chart if needed
Add numbers 1-10 (i.e. 1+1, 1+2, etc.) See example below of sample math fact practice below.
Practice telling time to the hour and identify the hour and minute hand. (i.e. it is 6:00 because the hour hand is on the 6 and the minute hand is on the 12).
Identify the quarter, dime, nickel and penny and identify their denomination.
Practice measuring with a ruler.
Identify 2-D and 3-D shapes and how many sides and corners they have.
Write letters a-z, upper and lowercase.
Write your first and last name.
Write a sentence and draw a picture of a fun activity over the summer.
Find a pen pal and write letters to each other over the summer.
Practice tying shoes.
How to tell a friend when they do not like something that they did (i.e. I didn’t like it when you…I wish you would…)
Sit in a chair and silently do work for 6 minutes.
Practice opening and closing snack bags, lunchboxes, containers, etc.
How to get the water bottle lid off and fill it themself and replace the cap.
Hygiene skills in the bathroom (i.e. wiping, flushing, and washing hands).
Dear Future 1st Grader & Family,
Welcome to 1st grade! We are looking forward to teaching a FANTASTIC group of students in the fall. Summer is an excellent time for children to explore new ideas and to continue to grow as readers and writers. Parents and family members play an important role in building successful readers. Summer reading is vital to your child retaining and building on the skills he or she has learned during the past 10 months of kindergarten. Most importantly, this is a time for children to engage their imaginations, find amusement in books, and to learn to love reading!
We can’t wait to hear about all of the exciting adventures that you experience this summer! Remember to take a book along with you wherever you go, and soak up every minute of sunshine that you can! We’re looking forward to a wonderful school year, and cannot wait to have you in class!
On “Meet the teacher” or the 1st day of school, bring one of the activities listed above to show and share with your teacher and classmates a fun way that you practiced learning over the summer!
Blessings,
First Grade Teachers