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TPS - The Philadelphia School

JUNIOR UNIT A SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS

June  2008

Dear Third and Fourth Grade Students and Parents,

The teachers of Junior Unit A wish you all a happy and relaxing summer. We would also like to extend a special, early welcome to our incoming students; we are looking forward to meeting you and working with you. We would like all Junior Unit A students to continue reading during the summer. The following three online children's reading lists should be helpful in selecting books to read: 

American Library Association's Notable Children's Books
Bank Street College Best Children's Books
New York Public Library Best Books for Children

We have informed Border's Book Store, Barnes and Noble, Robin's Book Store, and Joseph Fox Bookseller in Philadelphia, as well as Children's Book World in Haverford, of the online lists we have provided to you. In addition, many of these books can also be found at the Free Library.  Please keep in mind, however, that if you find a good piece of literature that's not on the lists, by all means read it! Parents, feel free to exercise your judgment as to what is "good” literature. (Last year's Junior Unit Summer Reading List is online. Feel free to use it as a resource, but please note that it does not include titles published since the academic year 2005-2006.)

We have sent home a mathematics review workbook for current third and fourth grade students. Please read the instructions for parents at the beginning of the book. Worksheets should be corrected as they are completed. Please send in the evaluation form located in the front of the workbook on the first full day of school. We will use your comments to evaluate the success of the review.

There are two sections to your summer work.  Please make sure you complete both sections.

SECTION I

•NEXT YEAR'S FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS:


Read and respond to THREE books in the following manner:

For ONE BOOK, write a book report, following the model you learned in your Language Arts class. Write at least three paragraphs. Focus on writing a topic sentence and additional sentences with supporting detail.

For your last TWO BOOKS, write answers to two of the five questions at the end of the fourth grade Section I assignment. (see other side)

•NEXT YEAR'S FOURTH GRADE STUDENTS:

Read and respond to TWO books in the following manner:

For ONE BOOK, write a reader’s response. Be sure to include your thoughts about plot, setting, and characters in your response.

For THE SECOND BOOK, write answers to two of the questions below.

1. What is the setting of the story?
2. Name one main character. Use descriptive words to explain the character’s appearance and personality.
3. What is the main problem in the story?
4. I like the way the author . . .
5. This book made me think of . . .          
                         
SECTION II

This summer we are also asking you to play lots of games with your family and friends. We would like you to pick one game (board game, outdoor game) and write about what you enjoyed and whom you played with. What elements of the game do you like? Why? Be prepared to teach the game during the first week of school to your classmates and teachers.

The Junior Unit A Teachers