Dear Incoming Fifth Grade Families,
As the school year comes to an end, we wanted to let you know about the summer reading requirements for students entering
fifth grade
.
All incoming fifth graders should read
at least
one fiction book and one non-fiction book of their choosing as a way to encourage independent reading. We also have included a few books here that are suggested, but not required readings in preparation for fifth grade curriculum in the fall:
A Long Walk to Water
by Linda Sue Park
Lowji Discovers America
by Candace Fleming
Lucky Broken Girl
by Ruth Behar
Front Desk
by Kelly Yang
Home of the Brave
by Katherine Applegate
Dreamers
by Yuyi Morales
We are aware that some students might have encountered some of these books in one way or another. We encourage them to reread so that they are prepared for group discussions in the beginning of the year. It is our plan to use some of these books as a platform for a novel study project that we will be conducting in the Fall in Language Arts, to support the dialogue that will be happening in Social Studies around the analysis of current events and Immigration.
Many of these novels above will help build a discourse on the experience one feels when adjusting to a life that one is not use to and how it impacts one’s self and others. Author of
Shooting Kabul
and
Escaping From Aleppo
, N.H. Senzai, stated "As Americans, whether we consciously realize it or not, we have a particular connection with refugees; at one point of time, most of our families sought refuge in this country. They arrived from all around the world, fleeing war, persecution, famine or just hoping to find a better life for themselves and their children. Most of my books deal with such families..." and through inquiry next year of some of the novels related and centered around the theme mention above, students will be able to reflect on the importance of having respect for each other, which is part of our BB&N values, and being part of the community.
The more students read over the summer, the more prepared they will be for fifth and sixth grade. We encourage them to take a book with them wherever they go! In addition, a great way to keep up with the writing skills is to journal about summer adventures.
Students should be ready to explore plot and characters upon arrival in school in September. Please have them bring a book to school with them.
We hope you all have a relaxing and safe summer and we look forward to getting to know all of you soon!
Sincerely,
