Grade 4 Summer Reading Requirements
June 2015
Dear Families of Students entering Fourth Grade,
Summer vacation is just around the corner and it’s time to begin thinking about summer reading. As you know, your children have been doing quite a bit of independent reading in books that they choose with teacher guidance. Therefore, this summer, rather than asking the children to read a single book, the fourth grade teachers want each child to read at least five (5) “just right” books. Children are encouraged to record the title and author of all the books read on the attached reading log and submit the log to their fourth grade teacher when they return to school. Please don’t stop at five titles.
. A “just right” book means that your child:
- Is interested in the book.
- Can read and figure out almost all of the words.
- Understands what he or she is reading (can tell you what the story is about or what he or she is learning).
- Can read fairly smoothly. If your child is stumbling over many words, she or he will not be able to focus on reading for understanding.
Make sure that your child reads a few pages before deciding whether a book is too hard. Sometimes, a book that may initially seem too hard is “just right” once the child has read enough for meaning to kick in. You may check with your child’s third grade teacher for suggestions of books for your child’s reading level.
As you help your child to establish a summer reading routine, please keep in mind that our goal is to help children to become successful life-long readers. It would be wonderful if you could set aside a time during which the whole family reads. Of course, don’t forget to continue to read aloud to your child. All of us are firm believers that children’s reading skills improve through independent practice as well as being read to.
The teachers have compiled a list of recommended titles for summer reading. This is listed on the NCCS website (www.countryschool.net). If you click the “Library” link, you will find the “Summer Reading Lists.” There are links to award-winning books and other excellent sites that you might like to explore.
Sincerely,
Kathi Holz
Head of Lower School
New Canaan Country School
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.
