Entering Second Summer Reading
Welcome to Second Grade!
We are looking forward to getting to know you this school year. Please select at least two books from the list below to enjoy over the summer. The reading levels of the books vary. If your child struggles with more than a few words on the page, it is probably too difficult, but the book would still be a great read aloud to your child.
Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read Book Series), by Peggy Parish
Meet Amelia Bedelia, the unflappable maid whose well-meaning mess-ups cause readers to laugh but her employer to fume.
The Case of the Spooky Sleepover, Jigsaw Jones Mystery #44, by James Preller
Ralphie Jordon can’t sleep. Something is making spooky noises in his room at night. It’s a perfect case for Jigsaw Jones who pieces together all the ghostly clues.
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein
A little boy befriends a tree. Loving and generous, the tree provides everything for him throughout the boy’s life. He, in turn, takes from the tree, without noticing the sacrifices she makes. It isn’t until he’s old that he understands all that she has done form him.
Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy, by Barbara Park
Frustrated because the rules for her class’s Pet Day will not let her take her dog to school, Junie B. Jones considers taking a raccoon, a worm, a dead fish, and other replacements.
Lilly’s Plastic Purse, by Kevin Henkes
Lilly the mouse adores her teacher, Mr. Slinger, until he takes away the purple plastic purse she was proudly showing off to her class. Lilly is so angry she draws a nasty picture of Mr. Slinger and slips it into his bag.
Stellaluna, By Janell Cannon
Stellaluna, a little brown bat, is accidentally dropped by her mother. The helpless baby falls smack into a nest of birds and is immediately accepted as one of the family. Stellaluna tries to fit in but keeps acting unbirdlike, hanging upside down and wanting to fly at night. By chance Stellaluna is reunited with her mother and finally learns to be a proper bat.
Tonight on the Titanic, Magic Tree House, by Mary Pope Osborne
The Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie away to the decks of that ill-fated ship, the Titanic. There they must help two children find their way to a lifeboat, while they are in danger of becoming victims of that tragic night themselves.
Game Day, by Tiki and Ronde Barber
Tiki has had seven long touchdown runs this season, and Ronde is proud of his brother, but he can’t help but feel a little down when Tiki gets all of the glory.
Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers, by Cynthia Rylant
With his new spy kit and his faithful sidekick Mudge, Henry is ready to look for clues, steal secrets, and flirt with danger.
Chapter Books (Challenge):
Carol Marsh Mysteries (series)
A-Z Mysteries (series)
The perfect bridge to the mystery genre. Young readers who love Nate the Great and his adventures are ready for the many mysteries this terrific trio will solve. These books do not need to be read in any specific order; however, it is always good to read the first of the series.
Suggested Summer Activities:
- Writing letters to your friends, grandparents, or maybe your first grade teacher is a great way to practice spelling and letter writing. We would love to have some letters to answer this summer! Keep a journal going, too, to remind you of all the fun activities you do over vacation. Keep your handwriting sharp by making really neat lists for you and your mom or dad.
- Look for words you know everywhere you go and read everything you can, signs, brochures, newspapers, as well as books. Check out the Goldilocks strategy sheet for help in choosing books to read. Reading those “someday” books together is a fun thing to do with your parents.
- Play These Math Games: Click here to view and print instructions.
Accelerated Reader Book Finder:
www.arbookfind.com
Taking Summer AR (Accelerated Reader) Quizzes:
Because of license restrictions, AR quizzes may only be taken at St. Mark’s. This means students are not able to access this program from home.
The school library will be open to students on Wednesdays this summer (June 12, 19, 26, July 10, 17, 24, and 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to check out books or to take AR quizzes. Students may also take the quizzes in August when returning to school.
This summer, St. Mark’s teachers are recommending two iPad friendly Programs for students, TenMarks for math, and One Minute Reader for reading. Both are economical and engaging ways to maintain essential skills during the summer break.
TenMarks is targeted for our rising 2nd-6th grade students. It can be used on a computer or iPad for convenience. Already being enthusiastically used in grades 4-6, it is in the beginning stages in grades 1-3. Students love the personalized nature of the assignments made by their own math teacher, and are asking for more! Your child’s teacher will guide the assignments targeted for needed review, practice, or extension of a concept. We have confirmed that TenMarks aligns quite nicely as a supplement to our math curriculum. The version used in the classroom is available through June (http://www.tenmarks.com/), and your child’s teacher has shared with you the logon information this spring.
One Minute Reader is an iPad app (downloadable from the App Store and individually set up) appropriate for rising 1st-5th graders. Multiple stories for oral reading and comprehension skills practice are available in six different levels. High interest stories are enjoyable to read and as the name implies, each lesson is quick, often completed in a short ½ hour session.
