Reading & Social Studies

• "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

• "Matilda" by Roald Dahl

• "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate

• "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson

• "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" by Judy Blume

• "The BFG" by Roald Dahl

• "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo

• "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies

• "The Magic Tree House" series by Mary Pope Osborne

• "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan

• "Holes" by Louis Sachar

• "The Indian in the Cupboard" by Lynne Reid Banks

• "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis

• "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio

• "Frindle" by Andrew Clements

• "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo

• "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell

• "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" by Kate DiCamillo

• "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl

• "The Witches" by Roald Dahl

Remember that reading levels and preferences can vary among 4th graders, so it's a good idea to offer a variety of genres and styles to cater to different interests. You can also check with your local librarian or bookstore for more recommendations based on your students' reading levels and preferences.

📚 **Reading Comprehension Strategies for Parents to Use at Home** 🏡

Empower your child's reading skills with these effective strategies that parents can implement at home. These techniques foster comprehension, critical thinking, and a love for reading.

1. **Predict and Preview** 🤔

   Encourage your child to read the title, headings, and illustrations before diving into the text. Ask questions like, "What do you think this story is about?" This helps set the context and activates their prior knowledge.

2. **Visualize the Story** 🎨

   Have your child create mental images while reading. Ask them to describe what they're imagining – the characters, settings, and events. This enhances their engagement and understanding of the story.

3. **Ask Questions** ❓

   Encourage your child to ask questions as they read. This keeps them thinking actively and helps clarify any confusing parts. After reading, discuss their questions to deepen comprehension.

4. **Summarize the Main Ideas** 📝

   Teach your child to summarize what they've read in a few sentences. This skill helps them identify key points and retain information.

5. **Make Connections** 🌟

   Help your child relate the story to their own experiences or other books they've read. This connection deepens their understanding and makes the story more relatable.

6. **Use Context Clues** 🕵️‍♀️

   When encountering unfamiliar words, encourage your child to use the surrounding text to guess the word's meaning. This builds vocabulary and comprehension skills.

7. **Discuss Character Traits** 🧑🏽👩🏻‍🤝‍👦

   Engage your child in character analysis. Talk about the characters' feelings, motivations, and actions. Ask, "Why do you think they acted that way?"

8. **Identify Story Elements** 📖

   Have your child recognize story elements like the plot, setting, characters, and conflict. This helps them grasp the structure and purpose of the narrative.

9. **Retell the Story** 🗣️

   After reading, ask your child to retell the story in their own words. This strengthens memory and comprehension skills.

10. **Read Aloud Together** 📢

    Take turns reading paragraphs or pages aloud. Discuss the story as you go along, asking questions and making predictions.

11. **Explore Different Genres** 📚🌍

    Encourage your child to read a variety of genres – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more. This broadens their exposure and understanding of different writing styles.

12. **Celebrate Progress** 🎉

    Recognize and celebrate their achievements. Applaud their efforts and improvements in reading comprehension.

🌍 **Social Studies Strategies for Parents to Use at Home** 🏡

1. **Time-Travel Story Night** 📚✨

 Pick a different historical era each week and read a story together set in that time period. After reading, have a lively chat about what life might have been like back then, comparing it to today. 🕰️⏳

2. **Global Cuisine Adventure** 🌍🍴

Select a country from around the world and cook a meal together featuring dishes from that culture. While enjoying the food, share fascinating facts about the country's geography, traditions, and people. 🍲🌏

3. **Family Heritage Project** 🌳🌟

 Help your child create a family tree or a simple family heritage project. Dive into research and explore where your family's ancestors come from, their unique traditions, and heartwarming stories. 🏡🗺️

4. **Neighborhood Explorer** 🚶‍♂️🏡

 Take strolls around your neighborhood or local area, spotting historical landmarks, unique buildings, and signs of how your community has evolved over time. Discuss the changes you see and the stories behind them. 🏰🏙️

5. **Current Events Chat** 🗞️🌎: Engage in friendly conversations about current events happening in your city, state, or even globally. Help your child see how today's events are linked to the past and shape the world's future. 📰🌟