Announcements

Welcome to 4th Grade

If we do not use the skills learned, we will loose the skills learned.

Students should go to their dashboard and then the Map Growth study plan (blue) located in the right hand column of the page. This study plan is based on the MAPs test taken this past May.

2026 Summer Packet Link needs sharing permissions. 😔I've place a copy at the end of these announcements. You may be able to copy and paste.

School settings may not allow me to share, so I placed it in our Google Classroom. Student will be able to answer the questions on their own personal document. Only print if you prefer hard copy. You may also email me for the Google classroom link.

Thank you for letting me know the document doesn't come up automatically due to restrictions on sharing. I've loaded it on the Google Classroom, but I do

IXL Leaderboard

Keep up the good work Peter, Colin and Ellieanna ! You are currently at the top of the leader board as of 7/1/26

It is great to see so many of you doing your summer work. I'm looking forward to the beginning of the school year!

Assigned skills based on students' needs have been loaded on IXL.

The IXL Mobile App can be a helpful resource. Available at the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Social Studies

Our "book" is a newspaper publication by Social Studies Weekly.

Students will be able to learn how to highlight important content and vocabulary words.

Science

Developing our science brain by exploring and experimenting

Mystery Science

Students will use the skills they explore and experiment with to solve and answer test questions.

Grammar and Writing

We will begin the year slow with a biopoem, review of paragraphs and transition to 5 paragraph essays.

Reading

We will read and respond to stories based on the needs of the class. Some stories take 5 days some take 2 weeks.

Information on tests will be listed on homework and words to know pages.

Summer 2026 Packet

For Incoming 4th Graders

Welcome to Fourth Grade!

Our summer packet is designed to provide a review of material learned and introduced in third grade, and an opportunity to experience a new reading journey.

The best way to approach your work is to pace yourself. Pick a place that works for you and your family. Focus on a few things each day in reading, writing, and math.

Please do not wait until the last minute. You will only experience frustration and anxiety.

Math:

Math assignments are on IXL. You will work to achieve a SMART score of 90% for each skill. The following are skills that will help you to be successful in fourth grade.

IXL sign in for a personalized skills plan based on your MAPS for Growth test. (I’m recommending 25 min. per week for a total of 225 min [3 hours 45 minutes]. For the summer vacation) A leaderboard will be created so that we can celebrate your achievements! - Once I have access to the MAPS scores, I can create individualized plans which will be placed on each child’s personal IXL dashboard. If this doesn’t happen early enough and you finish the skill plan, please practice all of the 3rd grade skills, starting with place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division in this order.
Keep up with your multiplication and division facts practice. (This will be tested in the first weeks of school.

Writing and Grammar:

It is important to keep up your writing skills.

Create a personal journal. Write about a personal experience, exciting adventure, interesting find, OR just what you see for 5 to 10 minutes a weekday.
Make sure to use complete, interesting sentences. Use adjectives and adverbs. Challenge yourself to create 9-word sentences.
Feel free to write down your thoughts in your journal first. Then, you can organize them into interesting paragraphs.

Name _______________________________________

We are Reading:

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Appplegate

Pages 1-20 VOCABULARY

trilling (adj.) - a trembling or shaking sound (p.6)

The sentence in the book: __________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Question:

Where does Ivan live?

_________________________________________________________

Who are Ivan's dearest friends? ________________________________

_________________________________________________________

What is wrong with the picture of Ivan on the billboard? ______________

_________________________________________________________

What is Not -Tag?___________________________________________
Who gave Ivan his first crayon? _________________________________

Pages 21-30 VOCABULARY

linger (v.): to stay in a place longer than necessary because of a reluctance to leave. (pg 21)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

murmuring (v.) a soft, low, or indistinct sound produced by a person or group of people speaking quietly or at a distance. (pg 25)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

threadbare (adj): Poor or shabby in appearance (p.26)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Questions:

6. How many days has Ivan been in his domain?______________________

7. What do both Ivan and Stella love to eat?_______________________

8. What kind of animal is Stella? ________________________________

Pages 31-40 VOCABULARY

crevices (n): narrow openings that result from a split or a crack. (p34)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

unadorned (a): not decorated; plain (p35)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Questions

9. How many pounds of food should a silverback gorilla eat every day?_________

10. What kind of animal is Bob? ______________________________________

11. What yellow thing did Ivan draw? How many?_________________________

Are you an artist like Ivan? Try your hand at drawing something where you are right now.

Pages 41-60 Questions

12. Who are Julia, George, and Sara? _________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. What does Julia want to be when she grows up?_______________________

______________________________________________________________

14. Who gave Bob his name? ________________________________________

15. Who has taken care of Ivan the longest? ____________________________

Pages 61- 70 VOCABULARY

amends (n) - Compensation for a loss or injury: “making amends” is a way to make up for something bad that happened. (pg64)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Questions

16. How does Stella know the new animal will be a baby elephant?_____________

______________________________________________________________

17. Did Jambo hurt the boy who fell into his domain? _____________________

18. What is the baby elephant’s name? ________________________________

Pages 71-81 VOCABULARY

coax (v): gently and persistently persuade (someone) to do something.(p71)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

heritage (n): property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance (p79)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions

19. What does Ivan do with Julia’s pencil and paper?______________________

_____________________________________________________________

20. Where was Ruby born? _________________________________________

21. What happened to Ruby’s family? __________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Pages 82 - 96 VOCABULARY

intently (adv.): With earnest, eager, and attention. Paying very close attention to something.(p93)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions

22. What do George and Mack add to the billboard? ______________________

23. Why does Ivan love to draw? ____________________________________

24. What treat does George have for Stells? ___________________________

Pages 97 - 129 VOCABULARY

contemplating (v.): To give something a lot of thought. (pg. 97)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

tolerant (adj.): showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. (pg. 123)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

squabbled (v./ past tense): a noisy altercation or quarrel usually over petty matters. (pg. 126)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions

25. Why are more people coming to the mall? ____________________________

26. What did the humans do after Ruby fell into the hole? __________________

_____________________________________________________________

27. Why does Ruby perform without Stella______________________________

28. What game did Ivan and his sister play? ____________________________

29. What was Ivan’s name when he was little? ___________________________

Pages 130 - 146 Vocabulary

bedraggled (adj.): dirty and disheveled. (pg. 139)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

sullen (adj.): bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy. (pg. 142)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions

30. Name some things Ivan broke?____________________________________

______________________________________________________________

31. What does Ivan “paint” with on the refrigerator?______________________

32. What did Ivan realize about his new domain?__________________________

______________________________________________________________

33. How many days has Ivan been living with Humans?______________________

Pages 147 - 180 Vocabulary

Solemnly (adv.): in a serious manner; formal and dignified. (pg. 155)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

gingerly (adv.): carefully or cautiously - we handle delicate things gingerly. (pg. 158

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions

34. Why does Ruby stop? __________________________________________

35. Does George think Mack might hurt Ruby? ___________________________

36. What does Ivan make? _________________________________________

37. Where would Ruby be safe? ______________________________________

38. Where does Ivan hide his pictures? Why? ___________________________

___________________________________________________________

Pages 181 - 196 Vocabulary

Incompetent (adj.): not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully. (pg. 185)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

spacious (adj.): having ample space. (pg. 189)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Questions

39. What does Ivan watch on TV?_____________________________________

40. What is Ivan painting? __________________________________________

41. Where does Ivan hide his pictures now? ___________________________

Pages 197 - 220 Vocabulary

featured (adj.): (of a newspaper or magazine article, broadcast program or show) made a special attraction. (pg. 197)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

display (v.): to place or spread (something) for people to see. (pg. 203)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Questions

42. To whom does Ivan give all his paintings?_____________________________

43. Where does Ivan want his picture to go?____________________________

BRAIN BREAK

In the space below, draw the picture YOU would draw if you were Ivan and wanted someone to help Ruby.

Pages 221 - 237 Vocabulary

suspiciously (adj.): with a cautious, distrustful, or suspicious look at someone or something. (pg. 223)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

cradling (v.): to hold gently and protectively. (pg. 231)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

elegant (a.): pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner. (pg. 231)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions:

44. What do the people with the signs want? ____________________________

______________________________________________________________

45. What does the circle with the giraffe mean? _________________________

______________________________________________________________

Pages 238 - 254 Vocabulary

proding (v.): poke (someone) with a finger, foot, or pointed object. (pg. 241)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions

46. Does Ruby want to go into the box? Does Ivan? _______________________

_____________________________________________________________

Pages 255 - 283 Vocabulary

weary (a.): feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep. (pg. 265)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

strut (v.): walk with a stiff, erect, and arrogant or conceited gait. (pg. 278)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

cower (v.): crouch down in fear. (pg. 278)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

associate (v.): connect (someone or something) with something else in one’s mind. (pg. 281)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions

47. Is Ivan at the zoo? Where is he?__________________________________

______________________________________________________________

48. What is on the TV? ____________________________________________

49. When Maya opens the blinds, what does Ivan see out the window? __________

___________________________________________________________

Pages 284 - END Vocabulary

wistful (adj.): having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing. (pg. 300)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

gestures (v.): a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning. (pg. 300)

The sentence in the book:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Questions

50. Who comes to visit Ivan? ________________________________________

READ AND RESPOND

Congratulations! You’ve finished the book!

What are your overall reactions? Did you enjoy it? Did it end in a way that satisfied you as a reader? Do you think you’ll continue reading this series?

Answer in paragraph form.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts.

Mrs. Piazza

fpiazza@sfxacushnet.com

Please reach out with any concerns or questions.

I will be taking the month of July off from email.

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