Dear Parents/Guardians,
Prevent
the
Summer
Slide
In an effort
to not fall
into the
“Summer
Slide”, your
new 5th
graders will
be expected
to complete
the
assignments
detailed in
this packet.
Let’s keep
those brains
moving
during the
summer!
-Reading
-Writing
-Math
-Curr. Events
As the 2014-2015 school year draws to a close, it is now time to start thinking about
preparation for next year. We look forward to summer with a sense of possibilitiesupcoming vacations, reconnecting with friends and more free time to relax! Like most
parents/guardians, you are aware that while the summer months are a welcomed
opportunity for fun and relaxation with family and friends, the break from school activities
often causes students to experience a lag or “slide” in learning upon returning to school in
the fall. Therefore, we would like for each student to create a healthy balance of summer
fun and continued learning.
-Purpose of Summer Homework?
-Maintain a reading and writing life throughout the summer, strengthen interest in
reading, affirm study habits, discover reading projects, sharpen math skills and stay in tune
with the latest events.
-Expectations for Summer Homework?
-Read 2 book titles from the list provided (1 required, 1 self-selected)
-Create 1 reading project for required reading & 1 book report form for self-selected
-Complete at least 8 math blog entries- the blog for Ms. Litman’s trip can be found
on the LCCS website.
-Complete 2 current event reports (self-selected)
-Publish 2 writing pieces from the list provided
We hope that you and your family have a wonderful summer full of fun, relaxation and
reading!
Sincerely.
5th Grade Team (Ms. Litman, Ms. Muse & Mr. Rengifo)
Dear 5th grader,
Book
Titles
*Required*
1. Bridge to
Terabithia Katherine
Paterson
*Optional*
-Echo –Pam
Ryan
-Fudge-aMania –Judy
Blume
-The Mouse
and the
Motorcycle –
Beverly Cleary
-My Teacher is
an Alien –
Bruce Coville
-A Share of
Freedom –
June Rae
Wood
-Frindle –
Andrew
Clements
-Mickey & Me
–Dan Gutman
-Holes –Louis
Sachar
-Stargirl –Jerry
Spinelli
Please read the required titled, Bridge to Terabithia and choose one reading project below to
compliment the book:
Journal to the Author: After reading the book, share your reactions and opinions to the book in a series
of 5 letters written to the author. In your letters, briefly talk about the setting, plot, characters, climax
and conclusion of the story. Be sure to use your best handwriting, or you may type it on the computer.
Happy Journaling!
Be a Journalist: In a report format, write 8-10 questions to ask the main character in your book. Infer
and write what the character would say in response to each question. The questions and answers should
provide detailed information that shows you read the book and understanding significant details. Make
sure your answers have depth and textual evidence!
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grade Game: Create an innovative game similar to the TV show using flash
cards that utilize key components or parts of the story to show your knowledge of the book. Here is your
chance to be a game host! Prepare between 20-25 flash card questions and answers.
Hollywood Movie: Create a simple video movie of your book, making the characters come to life with
your acting skills. Get your family and friends to be actors in the movie! You will need to carefully plan
this movie so that it shows your knowledge of the book. Be really creative and include a movie
advertising poster!
Prezi/Powerpoint: Create a multimedia presentation of the book. Be sure that your slides are dedicated
to the following items: Characters, setting, plot, problem, solution, main idea. Each slide must include a
graphic, 3-5 bullet points and textual evidence. Be creative presenter!
Scrapbook: Think about all the kinds of mementos you would put in a scrap book if you had one. Then
create a scrap book for the story you selected, cutting out pictures from magazines or drawings, etc.
Life-Size Sculptures: Create life-size sculptures of two of your favorite characters from the book. Be
sure to use evidence from the story to dress them as they are dressed in the book. The materials you
choose to use are entirely up to your creative devices!
Please read a book found on the “Optional List” to the left and complete the book report form on the next 2 pages.
Please be sure to add detail and be thorough. Show off your knowledge of the book
NAME__________________________________________________PERIOD____DATE__________________
BOOK REPORT FOR A FICTION BOOK
Be sure to write neatly and in black or dark blue ink. Be sure to use complete sentences. Legibility, capitalization,
spelling, punctuation and sentence structure will count.
BOOK TITLE_________________________________________________________________# OF PAGES _________
AUTHOR ______________________________________________PUBLISHER ________________________________
SETTING: Describe IN DETAIL the setting of the fiction book that you read. If more than one setting was involved, be
sure to include all details. Also comment on the time period of the setting.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Describe the main characters and explain their importance to the story. What part did they play in novel? Did any of
these characters change, or surprise you? IF your book does not have three or more characters, then write additional
information on the main characters.
Main character _______________________________________________
Detailed description:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Minor character _________________________________________________
Detailed description:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Minor character ________________________________________________
Detailed description:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
(If your book has more than three important characters in the book, attach a separate sheet of paper with a description
of the character/s. )
CONFLICT: What is the main problem in the book? (Give details)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
How did the book conclude? Give details)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY: Write a detailed summary of the story, explaining the important events and action in this book. (At least
250 words)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is your opinion of the book? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not? (Be sure to give specific
details from the book to support your opinion.)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.
*SUMMER WRITING*
Directions: This summer, you will write two essays. You will choose from the topics below. Circle the topics you
choose to write about. Please be sure to write five complete paragraphs for each topic. Use correct spelling and
correct punctuation, and don’t forget to indent. Write your essays on a different sheet of paper and attach it to your
summer packet before you return to school.
Tips: Use your first paragraph as an introduction, your second, third, and fourth paragraphs for three reasons and
explanations, and your last paragraph to wrap up.
Tell me your first choice for a class field trip. Give reasons why it is your first choice, including some facts and opinions.
Try to convince me that this is the best place to visit by stating facts that support your opinion.
Tell me what your favorite family activity is. Give reasons why it is your favorite, using facts and opinions. Try to convince
the reader that your favorite activity should be everyone’s favorite.
Your friends are going to Camp Weneedsomoola for a week this summer. You have no money saved and the only way
you can go is if your parents pay for it. Write a letter to your parents persuading them to pay for camp.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle! Your community has started a recycling program, but many people aren’t participating.
Write an essay persuading people to recycle.
Who wouldn’t want a little extra spending money? Write an essay persuading your parents to give you an allowance
each week.
School uniforms – yes or no? Your principal has asked you to give a speech to the school board about wearing required
uniforms. Write an essay persuading the school board to vote for or against this issue.
You’ve been hired by your favorite fast food restaurant to help write an advertisement promoting it. Write an essay
persuading people that this restaurant is the best place to eat.
Imagine your family has won a large sum of money, but no one can agree how to spend it. Think of how you would like
to spend the money and then write a letter to your family persuading them to agree with you.
*SUMMER CURRENT EVENTS*
Current
Event
Report #1
Name_______________________
Date__________________
Source______________________
Source Date____________
Directions:
Paragraph I: Choose a news article that takes place in the U.S. Make sure that this is a newsworthy item. After reading
your article, use the 5 W’s to help you summarize. Your summary should be written in 5th grade words. Do not copy
the article.
Paragraph II: Formulate an opinion about the topic or come up with solutions to any problem in the article. Write a
paragraph with a strong topic sentence and supporting details. Tell why you feel the way you do using reasons that
relate to the article.
Question for the class:________________________________________________
Hi-light the answer in your summary.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________
Current Event Report #2
Name_______________________
Date__________________
Source______________________
Source Date____________
Directions:
Paragraph I: Choose a news article that takes place in the U.S. Make sure that this is a newsworthy item. After reading
your article, use the 5 W’s to help you summarize. Your summary should be written in 5th grade words. Do not copy
the article.
Paragraph II: Formulate an opinion about the topic or come up with solutions to any problem in the article. Write a
paragraph with a strong topic sentence and supporting details. Tell why you feel the way you do using reasons that
relate to the article.
Question for the class:________________________________________________
Hi-light the answer in your summary.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
You can access Ms. Litman’s Blog from the LCCS website, or go to http://msbandmslitmanbula.tumblr.com/
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?
MATH BLOG FORM
Blog Number: ________ Blog Title: _________________________________
Location: _________________________________________

In your own words, what is the Math problem that is being presented in this blog entry?

What will you need to do in order to solve it?

What is your answer to the problem(s)?

What is one follow-up question you still have about this topic?