Entering 5th Grade Literacy

Welcome to the Literacy Virtual Learning University page! We’re so glad you’re here! Below are some activities to challenge and keep you learning throughout the summer. If you are unable to complete the challenges below for any reason, feel free to adjust the activity to meet your learner's specific needs. Happy Learning!

Challenge 1: Get a Hold of a Good Book and READ!

Pick a book, or two, or three from home or access ebooks on your school’s library site. Read, read, and read some more! You can keep a tally of the books you read throughout the summer. Here are some suggestions to get you started- Summer Reading Suggestions.

Challenge 2: Random Notes of Kindness

Research shows that positive brains have an advantage over brains that are neutral or negative. Focusing on positivity can improve your happiness and overall engagement. With this in mind, write a quick note to a family member, friend, neighbor, or someone in your community that shares a compliment, positive quote, or how they bring happiness to your life. Keep a tally of the number of people you spread kindness to throughout the summer.

Challenge 3: You’re on the Air

Write a commercial to promote your favorite book, author or series. Include a summary, favorite part or fact and why you think someone else might like to read it. Make sure to use language that entices your audience to pick up the book. Consider recording your commercial for others to watch.

Challenge 4: #Hashtagchallenge

After reading a book of your choice, create a collection of hashtags that would encourage others to read that text.

Examples: #ifyoulikemysteries #whodoneit #surpriseending

Challenge 5: Choose Your Own Adventure

Read an adventure book with a clear plot such as the Savvy series, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, 39 Clues, etc. Invent a board game based on the plot.

Challenge 6: Comic Strip

Write a comic strip about a topic or character from a book you read. See how long you can keep the strip going. Consider the following book titles if you’re looking for inspiration:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Wonderstruck

Challenge 7: Explore Your Local Libraries

Libraries are important to the community around them. Visit a local library to check out books, access ebooks through their websites, or take part in some fun-filled scheduled events.

Local Libraries to visit:

Challenge 8: Food for Thought

Find a recipe to make. You can look online, follow the recipe from a cooking book or show, ask a family member or friend for a loved recipe. Make the dish and invite your family to try your cooking. Take notes after you’ve made the recipe. What was easy to follow in the directions? What was difficult? Annotate what you might change and why. Give a review of the final product: Did you like it? Why or why not? If you make it again, what could you do differently?

Create a recipe with specific easy to follow directions. Make the item. Take pictures as you go. Ask family to try the recipe and review it. Write a narrative or a summary of your experience creating a delectable dish. Each great recipe has a story…..

Consider reading cook books to help you find inspiration.

Challenge 9: Screen-Free Challenge

Here’s your challenge if you choose to accept it… Give up digital entertainment for an entire day or even a week! Challenge yourself to say no to TVs, computers, tablets, cell phones, and video games! To help yourself succeed, tell your family members about your challenge and invite them to participate. You can hide your devices or even hang a “Don’t Turn Me On” sign on your TV. For a bonus, keep a journal of how you feel during your screen-free day or week. What is it like to be screen-free? How long will your family survive this screen-free challenge?!

Challenge 10: Trade Up

Summer is the time for play and to have fun! Think about books you’ve read or are reading. Who are your favorite characters, real people, or interesting topics? Create trading cards that highlight these key “players”. Include a picture, stats, fun facts, accomplishments, etc. Create and trade as many cards as you can!

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