Summer Reading Program-2018 Entering Third Grade Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him." —Maya Angelou ​ ​ Dear Families,

Did you know that children who do not read over the summer experience the “summer slide” and can lose up to two months of learning by the time they return to school in the fall! But there’s good news. Research shows that reading or listening to as few as six books over the summer break can help children maintain their reading skills and score higher in reading and math when they return ​ ​ to school!

We strongly recommend that your child read at least six books during the summer break. And we encourage you to read to your child. Kids this age benefit tremendously from hearing stories read aloud. We also want you to visit the local library with your child this summer and check out the free summer fun activities happening and sign up for a free library card! ​ ​ ​ ​

The following booklist is the work of our teachers and literacy coaches. We hope you and your child will love these titles, but feel free to add any books for your reader. The staff in the children’s area of the public library will have many wonderful suggestions.

Attached to the booklist is a reading log. Have your child fill out the reading log and give it to his or her new teacher in the fall. We’re so excited to see what your child read and we’ll be using the list as part of our Books, Buddies & Blankets Reading Celebration this fall. ​ ​ ​

Our summer reading program is based upon these four goals: 1. Maintain learning gains from school year 2. Develop stronger reading skills 3. Expose children to quality literature 4. Encourage a love of books/magazines in a preferred topic

Should you have questions, please contact your child’s principal via email or telephone or Assistant Superintendent Hamel at 978-772-8600 Ext 1509, or at [email protected].

Sincerely, Mary Beth Hamel Mary Beth Hamel Assistant Superintendent

Ayer Public Library (978-772-8450) Hazen Memorial Library (978-425-2620) ​ ​ 26 E. Main Street, Ayer, MA 3 Keady Way, Shirley, MA ​

How to Grow a Reader

● Set time aside 15 minutes each day for reading. ● Read together as a family. ● Allow your child to choose the book. ● Plan regular visits to the library. ● Listen to audiobooks during long car trips. ● Participate in summer reading programs at the local library

How to Rock the Read Aloud

● Read with expression. Try creating different voices for different characters. ● Encourage your children to ask questions about the characters, pictures, and words. ● Talk about the story with your child. Did he or she like it? Why? ● Your child may want you to read the same story over and over again. After several retellings, ask your child to tell you the story. ​ ​ ● Model Making Connections: Strong readers aren’t passive—their minds are constantly making connections between what they read and the world around them. As you read, pause to connect the book to other books you have read together, to your memories, or to places or events you both know. ● Check out author Lester Laminack’s video entitled “The Joy of the Read-Aloud” ​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViNXcEuthF8. ​ ● Visit the award-winning children’s literacy website, www.Storyline Online.net. ​ ​

Reading is like riding a bicycle, driving a car, or sewing: in order to get better at it you must do it. And the more you read, the better you get at it. —Jim Trelease ​

2018 Summer Reading List—Third Grade ​ ​

“You can find magic wherever you look Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.” —Dr. Suess ​

Dear Third Grader:

We want you to read, read, read this summer! Read to yourself, read to your pet, read to your parents, read to your grandparents, read to a friend, read to your pet rock, just read, read, read! And ask your family to read to you too. Our goal is for you to ​ read or listen to someone read to you for 15 minutes every day. ​ ​

You’ll definitely want to take a trip to the Hazen Public Library in Shirley or the Ayer Public Library and check out all of the free summer fun activities happening and sign up for a free library card!

Be sure to give your booklist to your new teacher. We’re so excited to see what you read and we’ll be using your list as part of our Books, Blankets & Buddies Reading ​ ​ Celebration this fall. ​

Happy Summer Reading!

2018 Summer Reading List—Third Grade ​ ​ Here are some bookmarks for you to color and cut. Now go get reading!!!

2018 Summer Reading List—Third Grade ​ ​ Suggested Titles for Incoming Grade 3 Students The following are suggested titles and you may choose any other book, magazine, poem, or ​ ​ short story that interests you. Read what you enjoy! ​

The following two books are highly recommended as read alouds for students entering Grade 3: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate ​ ​ How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell ​ ​

Fiction American Girl (series) includes Meet Molly, An American Girl; Meet Felicity, An American Girl and others ​ ​ A-Z Mysteries: Absent Author (series) by Ron Roy ​ ​ Cam Jansen Adventures (series) by David Adler ​ ​ ​ The Chicken Squad (series) by Doreen Cronin ​ ​ ​ Diary of A Wimpy Kid (series) by Jeff Kinney ​ ​ Dragonbreath (series) by Ursula Vernon ​ ​ ​ Ike and Mem (series) by Patrick Jennings ​ ​ ​ Ivy and Bean (series) by Annie Barrows ​ ​ Judy Moody (series) by Megan McDonald ​ ​ ​ Magic TreeHouse (series) by Mary Pope Osborne ​ ​ ​ My Weird School (series) by Dan Gutman ​ ​ Nate the Great (series) by Marjorie Sharmat ​ ​ ​ Origami Yoda (series) by Tom Angleberger ​ ​ Spiderwick Chronicles (series) by Tony DiTerlizzi ​ ​ Stink (series) by Megan McDonald ​ ​ ​ Timmy Failure (series) by Stephan Pastis ​ ​

Historical Fiction The Journal of Jasper Jonathan Pierce: Pilgrim Boy by Ann Rinaldi ​ Journey to the New World: Diary of Patience Whipple by Kathryn Lasky ​ ​ On the Mayflower: Voyage of a Ship’s Apprentice and a Passenger Girl by Kate Waters ​ ​ Our Strange New Land, Elizabeth’s Jamestown Colony Diary, Book One by Patricia Hermes ​ Sleds on Boston Common by Louise Borden ​

Non-Fiction DK Eyewitness (series) by various authors ​ ​ ​ Gail Gibbons books ​ Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say ​ Greg Tang books ​ Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novels by various authors ​ Women Who Broke the Rules (series) by Kathleen Kru ​ ​ ​

Poetry Books by Jack Prelutsky: Dog Days: Rhymes Around the Year; The Dragons are Singing Tonight; ​ ​ ​ ​ The Frogs Wore Red Suspenders; If Not for the Cat: Haiku; The New Kid on the Block; A Pizza ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ the Size of the Sun; Scranimals. ​ ​ ​ Books by Shel Silverstein: Falling up; Light in the Attic; Where the Sidewalk Ends ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

2018 Summer Reading List—Third Grade ​ ​

SUMMER READING LOG Grade 3 ​ List the books you read or listened to this summer. ​ Please use an additional sheet if you need it.

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Your name (first and last):______

Parent/Guardian Signature______​

2018 Summer Reading List—Third Grade ​ ​ Please list your all-time favorite book recommendations. The books on this list do not have to be books you read this summer. Your new teacher wants to get to know you by learning what kinds of books interest you.

My​ Favorite Book Recommendations

a list by

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Feel free to list as many books as you’d like!

2018 Summer Reading List—Third Grade ​ ​