Embedded Files
The Ramsey Public School District is dedicated to encouraging young people to see reading as a meaningful way to better understand our passions, our curiosities, and the world around us. In order to do this, we feel that choice and access to a variety of texts is essential to finding the right books to pique our students' curiosity. Research shows that there can be a significant decline in reading achievement during the summer months; however, the decline can be offset by reading consistently over the course of the summer. It is also important that we cultivate our writing skills so that students do not fall into the "summer slide." Please view the video below for more information.
This summer, we encourage you and your family to continue to develop a love of reading and writing and to continue to support the skills and strategies they have learned this year. Listed below are some resources that may assist in this process. We also have a list of student generated recommendations. Please do not feel limited by this list. We also recommend that you preview the books to ensure they are appropriate. One resource to help with this is Common Sense Media.
All summer reading recommendations and requirements are also available digitally through the Sora App by logging in with your Ramsey email address. The Ramsey Public Library also has a variety of summer reading services and programs.
We wish you a healthy and happy summer!
If you have any questions about the summer reading, please feel free to call Carmen Lacherza, English Language Arts Supervisor, at 201-785-2300 Extension 21572 or email clacherza@ramsey.k12.nj.us.
Reading and Writing Resources
Reading and Writing Resources
Summer Reading Plans
All incoming 4th and 5th grade students are spending time in school during June thinking through their summer reading and writing plans. All planning tools will be coming home, so please look out for them and help your child work towards the plan. Hang it on the fridge or bathroom mirror! Remember that the biggest ways to support your child's success in summer reading is through giving them access to books of their choosing, and time to read. One big tip for everyone is to start the summer with a stack of real books (books, not just a list)!
Incoming 4th grade planning tool
Incoming 5th grade planning tool
Here is a list of additional questions to help guide students to make (or update) plans for their summer reading/writing:
What’s your reading goal?
What materials will you need?
How will you share this work with others?
How much time will you make each day to read?
How will you know when you’re finished with this project?
What other projects do you want to do?
Below are a few resources that may assist in creating engaged readers and writers this summer.
Dater ITC Summer Reading Resources
Ramsey Free Public Library Website- check out their programs, prizes, and events!
Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Journal
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
13 Books that 9-to 12- year Olds Say Are Awesome
Association of Library Services for Children Notable Books 2024
Summer Reading recommendations
Summer Reading recommendations
Below are a few titles that Dater students loved reading this year. Please don't feel limited by this list, as it is very important that students have a choice in their reading. You also may want to visit the Information Technology Center (ITC) or the Ramsey Free Public Library for more recommendations. We encourage you and your family to preview any book before reading to be sure it is appropriate.
Incoming 4th Grade Students
The Sasquatch Escape by Suzanne Selfors
The Familiars by Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
The Seven Tales of Trinket by Shelley Moore Thomas
Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road by Kate Klise
Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
STAT: Standing Tall and Talented: Home Court by Amar’e Stoudemir
The Kicks by Alex Morgan
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Barbara Schultz
Incoming 5th Grade Students
11 birthdays by Wendy Mass
Everything On a Waffle by Polly Horvath
Auggie & Me : Three Wonder Stories by R.J. Palacio
The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell Boyce
Balto of the Blue Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh
Diary of a Wimpy Kid : Old School by Jeff Kinney
Rules by Cynthia Lord
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