Dear First Grade (soon to be 2nd Grade ☺) Parents,
It is hard to believe the school year has come to an end. In
preparation for second grade, we have put together a summer
reading packet to combat Summer Slide.
Summer Slide is simply the loss of academic skills over the
summer break. There are many ways to help avoid the summer
slide. One is to read every day . Local libraries have great
summer reading programs with incentives and rewards for
books read over the summer.
We also would like to contribute to helping your child to hit the
ground running, so to speak, as s/he enters 2nd grade by asking
that students read at least 5 books (of different genres) over
the summer, and complete 5 creative activities from the list
provided. Genres include fiction, realistic fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, and biography.
Your child may chose books from the list provided as well as
books that are not included on the list. We are also providing
you with a list of book project choices. Please help your child
to select books and projects that are appropriate for his/her
reading level. The projects should be submitted to your child’s
2nd grade teacher at the beginning of our next school year.
Have a wonderful and safe summer!
Regards,
Second Grade Teachers
Second Grade Recommended Reading List:
(Courtesy of Oak Park Public Library)
PICTURE BOOKS
Barnett, Mac. Oh No! Not Again!: (Or How I Buit a Time Machine to Save
History) (Or at Least My History Grade)
Black, Michael Ian A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea
McCloskey, Robert Time of Wonder
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse Wumbers
EARLY CHAPTERS
Bradford, Anna Violet Mackerel’s Possible Friend (series)
Carris, Joan Welcome to the Bed & Biscuit (series)
Cronin, Doreen Chicken Squad (series)
Cummings, Troy The Champ of the Meat-Eating Vegetables (series)
Hale, Shannon Princess in Black
Hanlon, Abby Dory Fantasmagory (series)
Hurwtiz, Johanna Magical Monty (series)
Kirby, Stan Captain Awesome and the Missing Elephants (series)
McCall Smith, Alexander Mystery of Meerkat Hill (series)
McKay, Hilary Lulu and the dog from the Sea (series)
Moser, Lisa Squirrel’s Fun Day (series)
Myracle, Lauren The Life of Ty: Penguin Problems (series)
Roland, Timothy Monkey Me and the Golden Monkey
Rylant, Cynthia The Cobble Street Cousins: Summer Party (series)
Sheinmel, Courtney Stella Batts Needs a New Name (series)
Viorst, Judith Lulu Walks the Dogs (series)
Winkler, Henry Here’s Hank: Bookmarks are People Too! (series)
GRAPHIC NOVELS
Commuso, Frank Misadventures of Salem Hyde (series)
Castellucci, Cecil Odd Duck
Coudray, Philippe Benjamin Bear in “Bright Ideas!” (series)
Eaton, Maxwell The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan
(series)
Holm, Jennifer Squish (series)
Kochalka, James The Glorkian Warrior Delivers a Pizza
Spiegelman, Nadia Zig & Wikki in the Cow (series)
NONFICTION
Brown, Calef Hypnotize a Tiger: Poems About Just About Everything
Heos, Briget I, Fly: The Buzz About Flies and How Awesome They Are
Mizielinska, Aleksandra Maps
Montalvan, Luis Carlos Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a
Soldier and His Service Dog
Roth, Susan L. Parrots Over Puerto Rico
72 Creative Ways to Show What You Know:
1 Create a poster
2 Make a PowerPoint presentation
3 Design a model
4 Make a shoebox diorama
5 Use a 3-panel display board
6 Make a timeline
7 Create a board game incorporating key elements.
8 Write a poem
9 Write and perform a skit
10 Make a TV or radio commercial
11 Make a collage
12 Make a mobile
13 Create a test about the topic
14 Make a word search
15 Make a crossword puzzle
16 Write a report
17 Create a flow chart or diagram
18 Write an interview of a relevant person
19 Create questions and an answer key
20 Write journal/diary entries
21 Write a postcard or letter exchange
22 Create a photo album
23 Make an instructional video
24 Give a presentation
25 Create an interactive notebook
26 Create a set of task cards
27 Make a pamphlet or brochure
28 Write a newspaper article
29 Perform a puppet show
30 Hold a debate
31 Hold a mock court case
32 Create an episode of a reality show
33 Create a game show
34 Have a panel discussion of “experts”
35 Compose a rap or other song
36 Use a Venn diagram to compare two aspects of the topic
37 Design a comic strip about the topic
38 Create a children’s story about the topic
39 Create a map
40 Write a fable or myth about the topic
41 Create a help wanted add and a letter/resume to answer it
42 Write a text message dialogue relevant to the topic
43 Write a series of tweets relevant to the topic
44 Create a Facebook wall relative to the topic
45 Create a Pinterest board relative to the topic
46 Start a blog
47 Decorate a box and fill with relevant objects
48 Create a foldable
49 Create a flip book
50 Create a Cootie Catcher
51 Create a cereal based on the topic (cover a cereal box)
52 Assemble a time capsule
53 Create several bookmarks about different aspects of the topic
54 Write a recipe relevant to the topic (good for showing causes of
an event)
55 Do a newscast
56 Write an acrostic poem
57 Create an Internet scavenger hunt
58 Write an advice column with several problems related to the topic
59 Create flash cards or trivia cards
60 Create a cheer relevant to the topic
61 Make a short documentary film
62 Create a museum exhibit
63 Create a top 10 list relevant to the topic
64 Create a video game
65 Make a “Choose Your Own Adventure”
66 Create a mini book with one fact/idea per page
67 Create a glossary of relevant terms
68 Make a paper chain with a different fact for each link
69 Make a flower with a different fact for each petal
70 Write a handbook or instruction book
72 Create a newsletter