Summer Assignments

Reading

Over the summer, all students must read two books: Wonder by RJ Palacio, and Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone. We know a lot of students have read Wonder before, but we will be having many in depth discussions about the characters and plot of the book, so even if you have read it before, please re-read it so that you are prepared for discussions. You are also welcome to read with a parent or listen to the audiobook version (but the movie doesn’t count!). Blood on the River is an exciting book about early Jamestown that will help set the stage for our discussions on colonization and early American history. (If you love this book, its brand new sequel is Poison in the Colony, Jamestown 1622.)

In addition to Wonder and Blood on the River, we ask that students pick at least two other books from the vast reading recommendations list. Of course, please feel free to choose more than two books from the list—we approve them all! Be prepared to discuss the books you read when you begin the school year.

We will establish consistent reading habits this year, and we would like you to be accustomed to daily reading. In addition to homework in math or other classes, fifth graders read 30 minutes a day for homework. Weekends too! Reading a lot helps you become smarter overall, and especially helps with writing and vocabulary. Just like you would practice for a sport in order to become better, reading exercises our brains! Libraries and bookstores always have great books on display in the summer, so browse around and see what catches your eye.

Math Skills

As rising fifth graders, you will be required to complete some math work over the summer. Our math coordinator, Dave Lobato, has created a website where you can find all the information you need, including a link to the IXL program we are using. IXL requires a username and password, which is the same one you used last year. Please contact Mr. Lobato if you have any questions.

Also, to keep your math skills sharp, practice your multiplication facts often. Five or ten minutes practice per day is best. Fifth graders should know their facts from one to twelve, ensuring a solid foundation for the creative thinking and problem solving we will do in fifth grade math. You can play games using dice or a deck of cards, or you can try some online games to keep those facts fresh. Also, if you think you need addition and subtraction facts practice, please add that to your list. A fun and free website for math facts practice is Xtramath.

Typing

Typing is a skill that should be practiced everyday for a small amount of time. In fifth grade we type a lot of assignments, and sometimes your brain might move faster than your hands, so the more you practice, the easier it will be for you to get your ideas out on the computer. This summer, we would like you to practice your typing skills for ten minutes a day. You can use the Type-to-Learn program available to you through school. Another idea: email a family member or another email pen-pal. You can even borrow your parent’s email if they allow!