Intermediate Summer 2011 Reading Assignments

 
Dear Parents:
 
The summer is almost upon us, so it is time to think once again about how to keep educational progress a part of every child’s routine.

All rising 5th-7th grade students are required to choose one of the following novels according to their grade level next year and complete a study packet about the novel read.

Reading teachers will introduce and provide an overview of the books to your student in June. Please click on the title of each book for the study packet. The rising 7th grade study packets are both included on the same document.
 
Rising 5th grade
Fourth Grade Rats by Jerry Spinelli
Freckle Juice by Judy Blume
 
Rising 6th grade
No Talking by Andrew Clements
Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume
 
Rising 7th grade (click here for packet)
Savvy by Ingrid Law
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

The written assignment will be graded and is due to their reading teacher during the first full week of school in the 2011-2012 school year.

We hope this reading requirement will be something the students truly enjoy while also keeping them focused on actively reading and writing over the summer months.
 
*Bonus: If a student reads a second novel from the list and completes the accompanying packet, a prize will be awarded in August.

Reading fluency is an important skill and a skill that students often lose ground on over the summer. We encourage you to practice reading fluency with your child with the following suggestions:

Fluency Building Activities
Each week select a passage from your child’s summer reading book and count out 125 words. You will use this passage all week.

Have your student read the passage for one minute, then count the number of words he or she read

Have your child graph the number of words he or she read

Select one of the following activities to practice fluency.  Keep this short and sweet by just selecting one activity each time you work with your child. You can do the same activity all week,  a different one each time, or any combination that works for you.

Repeat the above process with the same passage 3-4 times a week.

Repeated Readings:
After your child graphs their initial words per minute set a goal that is above this amount. It is recommended that the goal be 40% above the first read, but you can set it according to what seems challenging but attainable for your child.

Have your child repeat the reading until they reach the goal. This may take 2-3 readings, but if your child does not reach the goal after 4 readings stop for the day.

Echo Reading:
After the initial reading, you read the passage to your child. This allows the child to hear fluent reading.
Next, you read a sentence, then your child reads the same sentence back trying to imitate your intonation and phrasing.
Last, have your child read the passage for one minute and count the words read. Compare their beginning “score” with this score.

Choral Reading:
After the initial reading read the passage with your child. Your fluent pace will help your child pick up their pace.
Repeat this activity 2 or 3 times, beginning slowly and increasing the pace each time.

Shared Reading:
After the initial reading read the passage with your child using an every-other-word pattern. You read a word, he or she reads a word, til you’ve read the entire passage. Students especially enjoy this activity.


If you have any immediate questions please direction them to your child’s reading teacher. If questions arise over the summer, send a note to hrojeski@nobleknights.org We hope you have a safe and happy summer!
 
For some additional strategies to employ over the summer: LD Online Article

Regards,
The Intermediate Team