Shared Reading

We are continuing our tradition of a shared read for each grade level. These books have been thoughtfully selected by our teachers to serve as a jumping off point for discussions when school begins.

• Kindergarten: Please read as many books as possible from these "New and Old Favorites" (read with family)
• 1st: Read one or more books by Mo Willems
• 2nd: Please read one or more books by authors Marjorie Weinman Sharmat and Kate DeCamillo
• 3rd: Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
• 4th: Wishtree by Katharine Applegate, The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

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Leveled Reading

Research shows that the best way to become a better reader is to read! Additionally, matching students to books at their independent reading level will ensure that they are maximizing their vocabulary acquisition and comprehension skills by reading in their zone of proximal development. Because Woodland teachers assess students' reading levels throughout the year, we can better match summer reading books to an individual’s reading level (as opposed to grade level).   

Independent reading levels are determined based on three primary metrics: Accuracy, Comprehension and Fluency. Accuracy refers to the number of errors made, including missed or skipped words, word substitutions, etc. Fluency refers to the student’s ability to read with expression, intonation, attention to punctuation and at a rate appropriate to the genre. Comprehension is a measure of how well the student understands the deeper meaning of the text, including both literal meaning and inferred meaning. All three metrics are crucial as students transition from learning to read to reading to learn. This is why we ask students to linger at a reading level that sometimes parents find a bit low. We are waiting until fluency is high and comprehension is deep before moving into the next level, to ensure that our readers have every advantage.

If your child expresses an interest in reading more challenging books, read together. Shared reading is a great way to support fluency and comprehension. Or have them listen along with an audiobook, accessible through their Raz-Kids accounts (still active over the summer), through your public libraries, or through www.overdrive.com.

In the Resources below, we have shared several items which may be of use. You will find multiple book lists, some leveled and some by genre. If you want to determine what level a book of interest is, use the 'Book Wizard'. Students are encouraged to keep track of their reading by printing the reading log.

All Middle School Students

All Middle School students are expected to read at least ONE selection from the following grade lists. We will hold “book clubs” at the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year. Additionally, each Middle School student must read a minimum of three more books of their choice. They will be writing summer book reviews as a graded in-class assignment at the beginning of the school year, so we recommend making notes as they read!

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Rising 5th Grade Students

• Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina
• When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt
• Francisco Jimenez The Circuit by Francisco Jiménez
• They Call Me Güero by David Bowles

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Rising 6th Grade Students

• Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan
• When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
• Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
• An Occasionally Happy Family by Cliff Burke
• Brainwashed: Crime Travelers Spy School by Paul Aertker

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Rising 7th Grade Students

• Speak by Laurie Halsie Anderson (realistic fiction)
• Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman (science fiction)*
• Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynn Jones (fantasy)*
• The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani (historical fiction)
• Call of the Wild by Jack London*
• White Fang by Jack London*
  * - denotes book is available via National Emergency Library until at least June 30 if not later

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Rising 8th Grade Students

• With the Fire on High  by Elizabeth Acevedo NYTimes Book Review
• The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (fantasy)
• Night by Elie Wiesel (historical fiction)
• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (realistic fiction)
• Animal Farm
• Fahrenheit 451 
• The Pearl

Additional Reading Lists:

2020 ALSC Summer Reading Lists
Kid Lit Summer Reading List
Audiobooks: Student Raz-Kids accounts will still be accessible all summer and have audiobooks available at every reading level.
Further audio and ebooks are available via the public libraries, as well as through  www.overdrive.com