Welcome RIS Terrapins!  

During this summer, you will be exploring ideas that connect to the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program Key Concepts.  The PYP Key Concepts provide a structure for the exploration of significant and authentic content.  You will be connecting the PYP Key Concept below during your summer reading as well as throughout the school year.

Here you will find read-a-louds of the summer reading assignments by grade level.  Find the book you'd like to listen to, click the title or chapter(s), and enjoy some of your favorite teachers reading these stories.  

If you have a copy of the book, read along with them.  

Have a safe and happy summer! Enjoy! 

Ferguson Library Summer Learning Club 2025

We’re making it easy to read with lots of incentives and fun activities. Everyone can participate by earning points for reading, completing challenges, or by creating and finishing their own summer goals. Register at fergusonlibrary.org or on the READsquared app, available at your favorite app store. Teens can register for their own Summer Learning Club, too. 

Register for Summer Learning Club

Download Activity Log and Bingo Card

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal

Earn a free book through the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program for kids in Grades 1-6

Summer Reading Journal

Incoming Kindergarten 

Incoming Kindergarten students will be connecting to the PYP Key Concept:

FORM

PYP definition of the Key Concept of Form:

The understanding that everything has a form with recognizable features that can be observed, identified, described and categorized.  

Key question: What is it like?

Please reflect on the assigned PYP Key Concept as you read at least one of the following book(s)...

Incoming Grade 1 

Incoming Grade 1 students will be connecting to the PYP Key Concept:

FUNCTION

PYP definition of the Key Concept of Function:

The understanding that everything has a purpose, a role or a way of behaving that can be investigated.

Key question: How does it work?

Please reflect on the assigned PYP Key Concept as you read...

Incoming Grade 2 

Incoming Grade 2 students will be connecting to the PYP Key Concept:

CAUSATION

PYP definition of the Key Concept of Causation:

The understanding that things do not just happen, that there are causal relationships at work, and that actions have consequences.

Key question: Why is it like it is?

Please reflect on the assigned PYP Key Concept as you read...

Incoming Grade 3

Incoming Grade 3 students will be connecting to the PYP Key Concept:

Perspective

PYP definition of the Key Concept of Perspective:

The understanding that knowledge is moderated by perspectives; different perspectives lead to different interpretations, understandings and findings; perspectives may be individual, group, cultural, or disciplinary. 

Key question: What are the points of view?

Please reflect on the assigned PYP Key Concept as you read...

Incoming Grade 4 

Incoming Grade 4 students will be connecting to the PYP Key Concept:

PERSPECTIVE

PYP definition of the Key Concept of Perspective:

The understanding that knowledge is moderated by perspectives; different perspectives lead to different interpretations, understandings and findings; perspectives may be individual, group, cultural or disciplinary.

Key question: What are the points of view?

Please reflect on the assigned PYP Key Concept as you read...

Incoming Grade 5 

Incoming Grade 5 students will be connecting to the MYP Key Concept:

COMMUNICATION

MYP definition of the Key Concept of Communication:

Communication is the exchange or transfer of signals, facts, ideas and symbols.  It requires a sender, a message and an intended receiver.  Communication involves the activity of conveying information or meaning.  Effective communication requires a common “language” (which may be written, spoken or non-verbal).  Through exploring texts, we exchange, express, analyze and transform information, facts, ideas, meanings and opinions.  Communication is the basis of what makes us human and bridges communities across the globe; it is the essence of the language and literature subject.

Please reflect on the assigned MYP Key Concept as you read...

Incoming Grade 6

Incoming Grade 6 students will be connecting to the MYP Key Concept:

CREATIVITY

MYP definition of the Key Concept of Creativity:

Creativity is the process of generating novel ideas and considering existing ideas from new perspectives.  Creativity includes the ability to recognize the value of ideas when developing innovative responses to problems; it may be evident in the process as well as outcomes, products or solutions.  In MYP language and literature, it is the process of synthesizing ideas with language that is a vehicle for creativity.  It is the result of interaction and reflection, whether with the self or the wider community.  This process is difficult to define and difficult to evaluate.  It rests, however, on an appreciation of the process with which the individual engages, and the impact of the final product on the audience.

Please reflect on the assigned MYP Key Concept as you read...

Incoming Grade 7

Incoming Grade 7 students will be connecting to the MYP Key Concept:

PERSPECTIVE

MYP definition of the Key Concept of Perspective:

Perspective is the position from which we observe situations, objects, facts, ideas and opinions.  Perspective may be associated with individuals, groups, cultures or disciplines.  Different perspectives often lead to multiple representations and interpretations.  Perspective influences text, and text influences perspective.  Through students’ language and literature studies, multiple perspectives and their effects are identified, analyzed, deconstructed and reconstructed.  An understanding of this concept is essential in order to develop in students the ability to recognize and respond to over-simplistic and biased interpretations.  Seeking and considering diverse opinions and points of view is an important part of developing complex and defensible interpretations.  

Please reflect on the assigned MYP Key Concept as you read...

Incoming Grade 8

Incoming Grade 8 students will be connecting to the MYP Key Concept:

CONNECTIONS

MYP definition of the Key Concept of Connections:

Connections are links, bonds and relationships among people, objects, organisms or ideas.  Linguistic and literary connections exist across time, texts and cultures.  This concept is central to the study of language and literature.  Due to the universal nature of language and literature, connections and transfer exist within and across narratives.  This allows for the exploration of language and relationships between text, creator and audience.

Please reflect on the assigned MYP Key Concept as you read...