Summer Reading Letter
Saint Agnes Catholic School
211 West Gay Street
West Chester, PA 19380
June 2010
Dear Parents,
Each year for the past few years the faculty has provided a summer reading list with an assignment for students entering grades 1 through 8. Ideally, teachers would not have to assign books; students would be motivated to read every day for enjoyment and/or learning. I invite you to take the initiative and join with me in making summer reading a joy, rather than a burden. Let’s give a good example by reading with and to your children. Explain how important reading is to you.
Literacy (reading, writing and speaking) is vital to success. Below are some websites that you might want to use with your children to design a “book report” or project that were recommended by Good Housekeeping magazine. I pass them along to you. I did go into each site and I think you will enjoy them.
www.tikatok.com – “where kids (ages 5 to 14) write, illustrate, and publish their own storybooks” (free to log on and create; printed copies cost)
www.makebeliefscomix.com – “lets kids (ages 4 and up) design comic strips using pre-drawn characters” (also in Spanish)
www.readwritethink.org – “create many types of puzzles, play games, design a book jacket – many activities for kids and teachers”
I hope that you do not consider Summer Reading a burden. Make it a time of joy – time to read for enjoyment and learning – the two are not at odds. Make reading a part of the day – whether you read the newspaper, a novel, recipes, or comic books. Reading is an important part of learning! Studies show that students who read regularly achieve higher scores on standardized tests and entrance tests. Another idea is to keep a summer journal. Provide your child with a copybook to write in each night. Writing is an important skill that only improves with practice.
God love and bless you and your family this summer!
Peace,
Sister Joan Felicia, IHM
Principal
Just a reminder: The required reading books are available at the Barnes and Noble Book Fair on June 15 – 17 in Exton. Please use your St. Agnes voucher for all purchases. Consider purchasing Barnes and Noble SCRIP before you go to the Book Fair and receive all of the benefits of using SCRIP.
Grade One Grade Two Grade Three Grade Four
Grade Five Grade Six Grade Seven Grade Eight
