summer homework for 5th graders

5th grade summer learning activities

We designed this fifth grade summer learning calendar to be a fun, easy way for your child to practice important skills over the summer. Fifth graders should be able to work independently on most of these worksheets and activities, but if you can, check on your child’s progress periodically throughout the day. As a study break, encourage your child to try the PE challenges or get some exercise. It will help them focus — and it’s a great study habit for middle school and beyond. For the science activities, an adult’s curiosity and assistance may be needed. Remember, kids this age respond more to positive reinforcement, so showing your enthusiasm at whatever your child accomplishes will give them motivation to keep trying! See more summer learning calendars .

A questionnaire: what do you like to read?

Generosity strikes

Adding fractions

Exercise and the human heart

PE challenge

Learning how to do a burpee!

Reading comprehension: Hard Times

Punctuating a paragraph

Adding fractions, uncommon denominators

Draw Baby Yoda in space (on Art Projects for Kids)

The nonstop dance challenge

Comparing two stories

Wounded pride

Subtracting fractions, uncommon denominators

Social studies

What Edison teaches us about success (on PBS)

Do the robot

Reading comprehension: dialects

Can’t live without it

Changing improper fractions to mixed numbers

Making the case for health (on PBS)

The side jump challenge

Poems: comparing rhythm and sound

Colons, semicolons, and dashes

Probability scale 0 to 1

Create a comic book

The grapevine challenge

Making metaphors

Rewriting a dialogue

Adding mixed numbers #1

Floating on salt water

Work out like a Jedi (on YouTube)

Simile or cliché?

Cosmic kids

Adding mixed numbers and fractions

Crazy captions

It’s time for split jumps

Malapropisms

Prepositions

Adding big numbers

Kentucky’s underground railroad (on PBS)

Hair UP! (on PE Central)

Poems: opposites

Adding decimals

Decomposing

100 jumping jacks!

Silly spoonerisms!

Which type of writing?

Subtracting decimals”

Unsung history makers: Maria Moreno (on PBS)

High knees are a breeze

Homophones and homographs

Dividing by larger numbers

How plants make food

Homophones: fun with puns

Write like a reporter!

Division of 3-digit decimals

How to draw a horse head (on Art Projects for Kids)

Work out like an Avenger (on YouTube)

Word-building riddles

Fame and fortune

Decimal place value (to the ten thousandths)

Parts of the food chain

Balancing stick

Finding key points

Writing a persuasive argument

Ordering sets of decimals

Create a family memory book

Advanced jumping jacks

Reading comprehension: David Copperfield

Analog world

Comparing and ordering decimals

The many phases of water

Prefixes micro- and mega-

Active and passive sentences

Coordinates

Why we should protect freshwater mussels (on PBS)

The push-up shuffle

Prefixes aplenty

Be prepared

Coloring a grid #2

Temperature and solubility

Boom Chicka Boom (on YouTube)

Subtracting suffixes

Compound sentences

Conversions: time

Reversible and irreversible changes in matter

Clauses: parts of a sentence

Career choices

Conversions: length

Draw the Statue of Liberty (on Art Projects for Kids)

The sprint-hop-walk challenge

Poems: The Rabbit

Storytelling with words and pictures (on PBS)

Conversions: capacity

Why parachutes work

Mountain climbers

We hope this 5th grade summer learning calendar is helpful. Check out the summer learning calendars for kindergarten , 1st grade , 2nd grade , 3rd grade , and 4th grade , too!

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Addition (Basic)

Addition (Multi-Digit)

Algebra & Pre-Algebra

Comparing Numbers

Daily Math Review

Division (Basic)

Division (Long Division)

Hundreds Charts

Measurement

Multiplication (Basic)

Multiplication (Multi-Digit)

Order of Operations

Place Value

Probability

Skip Counting

Subtraction

Telling Time

Word Problems (Daily)

More Math Worksheets

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension Gr. 1

Reading Comprehension Gr. 2

Reading Comprehension Gr. 3

Reading Comprehension Gr. 4

Reading Comprehension Gr. 5

Reading Comprehension Gr. 6

Reading & Writing

Reading Worksheets

Cause & Effect

Fact & Opinion

Fix the Sentences

Graphic Organizers

Synonyms & Antonyms

Writing Prompts

Writing Story Pictures

Writing Worksheets

More ELA Worksheets

Consonant Sounds

Vowel Sounds

Consonant Blends

Consonant Digraphs

Word Families

More Phonics Worksheets

Early Literacy

Build Sentences

Sight Word Units

Sight Words (Individual)

More Early Literacy

Punctuation

Subjects and Predicates

More Grammar Worksheets

Spelling Lists

Spelling Grade 1

Spelling Grade 2

Spelling Grade 3

Spelling Grade 4

Spelling Grade 5

Spelling Grade 6

More Spelling Worksheets

Chapter Books

Charlotte's Web

Magic Tree House #1

Boxcar Children

More Literacy Units

Animal (Vertebrate) Groups

Butterfly Life Cycle

Electricity

Matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas)

Simple Machines

Space - Solar System

More Science Worksheets

Social Studies

Maps (Geography)

Maps (Map Skills)

More Social Studies

St. Patrick's Day

More Holiday Worksheets

Puzzles & Brain Teasers

Brain Teasers

Logic:  Addition Squares

Mystery Graph Pictures

Number Detective

Lost in the USA

More Thinking Puzzles

Teacher Helpers

Teaching Tools

Award Certificates

More Teacher Helpers

Pre-K and Kindergarten

Alphabet (ABCs)

Numbers and Counting

Shapes (Basic)

More Kindergarten

Worksheet Generator

Word Search Generator

Multiple Choice Generator

Fill-in-the-Blanks Generator

More Generator Tools

Full Website Index

Summer Worksheets

Printable summer puzzles, reading comprehension passages, coloring pages, and other printable activities.

Puzzles & Activities

Logged in members can use the Super Teacher Worksheets filing cabinet to save their favorite worksheets.

Quickly access your most used files AND your custom generated worksheets!

Please login to your account or become a member and join our community today to utilize this helpful feature.

Craft & Coloring Activities

Graphic organizer, editing & proofreading, early literacy activities.

Summer Addition

Summer subtraction, summer multiplication, summer division, more summer math, graphs & timelines.

When the school year is winding down, try these activities with your students.

Celebrate the 4th of July with these patriotic printable worksheets.

S.T.W. has a large collection of worksheets, puzzles, and activities for celebrating the fall season.

Print worksheets, crafts, and puzzles for the winter season.

Summer Worksheet Images

PDF with answer key:

PDF no answer key:

Summer Learning Packets for Grades Preschool - 8th!

You may select any of the following links to find your scholar's summer homework packets, reading suggestions, and letters from teachers. have a wonderful summer and remember... we can do all things... .

Rising Preschool, PreK, and Kindergarten Packets

Rising Preschool Packet

Preschool Summer Homework 

Rising Pre-K Packet

Rising Kindergarten Packet

Summer Reading Log

Student Name Tracing

Rising First Grade Packets

Kindergarten to First Grade Intro Letter

Rising 1st Grade Summer Packet

Recommended IXL Lessons and Chart for Rising 1st

Rising Second Grade Packets

Rising 2nd Grade Family Letter and Reading Calendar

June Summer Homework Packet

July Summer Homework Packet

August Summer Homework Packet

Ideas for Making Reading a Habit

Rising Third Grade Packets

Rising 3rd Grade Summer Packet

Rising Fourth Grade Packets

Rising 4th Grade Summer Packet

Rising Fifth Grade Packets

Rising 5th Grade Summer Letter to Families

ELA, Reading, and Writing Packet

Math Packet

Math Review Packet 2

Summer Books Wreath

Rising Sixth Grade Packets

Rising 6th Grade Summer Packet

Rising Seventh Grade Packets

Rising 7th Grade Summer Packet

Middle School Summer Reading

Rising Eighth Grade Packets

Rising 8th Grade Summer Packet

8th Grade Summer Reading

7,200+ Confident Readers and Spellers

5th-Grade Summer Reading Program At-Home · Online · Self-Paced

Summer Reading Program

Learning at Home Made Easy: 5th-Grade Summer Reading Curriculum

• S tep-by-step at-home and online lessons
• Carefully selected reading selections and questions
• Unlock the code to spelling through 8 simple phonetic patterns
• Research-proven reading fluency training
• 5th-grade r eading comprehension activities that improve memory skills
• Vocabulary building activities 
• Card games that get the whole family involved

Scholar Within’s Co-founder Bonnie Terry, M.Ed., BCET has been featured on

5th-Grade Summer Reading Curriculum

45-60 Minutes a Day

6 Week, 8 Week, or 10 Week Program

At-Home and Online

Video and Audio Lessons

Worksheets and Printables

Help and Support

Hand Selected 5th-Grade Reading Curriculum Selections

Each week, your child will read two engaging 5th-grade reading curriculum selections, both fiction and non-fiction. We’ve chosen the best reading selections that will open your son or daughter’s world of reading. Your child will learn how to talk about and summarize the stories they have read.

Tap to Read – Read-Aloud Technology from Scholar Within

Does your child ever get frustrated with trying to read or sound out a word that they are unfamiliar with? With Tap to Read , your child can instantly hear the proper pronunciations of words by simply tapping or clicking on the word to hear it aloud. They can also work on their reading fluency and speed by pressing play and following along.

Try Tap to Read

• Level 4 – The Harp
• Level 5 – Aspen Trees
• Level 6 – Antarctica

Note-taking and Writing Skills

One of the specific reading goals that should be in your 5th-grade reading curriculum program is to summarize and paraphrase information in a text. Your child will learn to take notes from what they have read and use those notes later. We have custom-made 5th-grade reading worksheets that are fill-in-the-blank graphic organizer note-taking forms. These forms make it easy to take notes and organize ideas. Your fifth-grader will become a better thinker as they improve their note-taking and writing skills.

Build Long Term Memory Skills

Your child will answer questions to the selections they have read in the program a day or two later. Your child will learn to remember and recall what they have read by reviewing their notes as well as writing summaries from them. In this 5th-grade reading curriculum, your child learns the process they will use for years to come to have success in school and in life.

Learn spelling through phonetic patterns.

Your fifth-grader will learn how to spell by spelling patterns through our interactive video lessons. Your kids will learn and practice the phonetic patterns of English through each lesson, spelling activity worksheets, puzzles, and games.

Many people think phonics is only for younger students. However, the listening skills required in phonics are critical for listening to instruction and lectures as you progress in school. This is one of the reasons we teach spelling with phonics in an auditory, visual, and tactile/kinesthetic way, even at the 5th-grade level. The process we use strengthens your child’s overall listening skills.

Additionally, we teach the structure of the language through 8 simple phonetic spelling patterns.

Reading Fluency Training

In addition to the text reading your 5th-grader does, we provide specific reading fluency training. Reading fluency training is one of the most important strategies used to build your child’s success with reading. This is your child’s ability to read with speed and accuracy without conscious attention to the mechanics of reading. This is a critical skill as your child moves into the upper grades and the reading material becomes longer and more complicated. 

Our research-proven reading fluency drills work on training your eyes to move more efficiently and smoothly left to right. They also improve your kids’ visual processing speed, or how fast they can retrieve and process what they see. You and your kids will love seeing their improvement each day.

Boost Word Attack Skills and Play Vocabulary Card Games

Each week your child will play a card game that will work on their word identification skills or comprehension and vocabulary skills. Your child will love these games and want to play them over and over again.

Develop Planning Skills that Stick

Your child will use fill-in-the-blank daily to-do worksheets and planning calendars to schedule out their days.

Your child will decide when they will do certain activities, and they will estimate how long each activity will take. After the activity is completed, they will reflect on how long it actually took and will start to build their time awareness and planning skills. Your child will strengthen their working memory, flexible thinking, and organization skills.

Research-Driven, Results-Proven Curriculum

Every component of our 5th-grade reading curriculum program is research-based and is specifically designed to boost your child’s reading skills. The program has been created by learning expert and board-certified educational therapist Bonnie Terry, M.Ed. She put together her 35+ years of working hands-on with children of all learning styles and abilities into this step-by-step program with custom-designed methods that you and your kids will see results each week.

Develop a Love of Reading

Your child will gain confidence and be excited about reading. Your child will make substantial gains with these effective research-based techniques. Your child will be able to complete their assignments more quickly and easily. They will gain confidence and develop a lifelong love or reading and learning. Your child will do a variety of activities that teach and strengthen all of these skills. Your child will love doing the activities in the program and will want to do them again and again.

Reviews from Parents

K Kelley B. October 17, 2023

My son and I have tried many reading programs; this one has made the most significant difference. It trains the brain to think of reading and spelling in ways beyond rote memorization. In addition, the summer program is enjoyable and effective. As a result, my son started the school year with increased confidence as a reader, and I feel better prepared to help him with his learning.

V Valerie K. October 9, 2023

My child was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and it has been a difficult journey in getting her to develop phonemic awareness skills and reading fluency, among other reading deficits. After enrolling her in Scholar Within’s summer program, I have seen the improvement that I’ve been waiting for! I will definitely continue using this program throughout the school year.

J Jennifer A. October 7, 2023

Fabulous reading program! We enrolled our daughter over the summer. It was so wonderful we decided to continue using the program during the school year.

B Brandon T. July 22, 2023

I love this reading and spelling program! The lessons are complete and there is very little prep, especially if you purchase the printed material. The fluency lessons are fantastic and the kids love tracking their progress! We enjoyed the first six weeks so much that we purchased the material for the remainder of the year. So happy I found Scholar Within!

E Elizabeth W. October 4, 2022

My son was diagnosed as dyslexic at the end of third grade. I found this program online and thought we could try the 8 week summer program prior to him starting 4th grade. We did a lot of traveling that summer and were able to stay on track without any issue. My son really enjoyed the word games in the program. The few times I reached out to customer service, they were prompt and professional with their help. I could tell a difference in his reading by the end of the summer. The real proof was when 4th grade started; his first quarter ELA grade was a 95%!!!! (He ended 3rd grade with a 62%). This program is amazing, I cannot recommend it enough!

D Dr. Kimberly C. September 22, 2022

Great program, even for an older struggling reader with auditory processing disorder and possible dyslexia. I like the option of switching between grade levels as needed + customer service has been fast/useful so far.

K Kathleen B. September 18, 2022

After a recent diagnosis of dyslexia, we started our son on this 6-week summer program. He has taken to it so well and we have already seen such great improvement. We are looking forward to continuing the program year-round!

R Rachelle M. August 29, 2022

I have two children who just completed 8 weeks of the Summer Reading Program. My oldest is dyslexic and I’ve been looking for a spelling program that is geared towards older kids since she is in 8th grade and many of the other spelling programs we’ve done feel like they are for younger children. My daughter appreciated that the lessons were straightforward in teaching the patterns through sight, sound and writing. Her spelling confidence and ability grew tremendously. My youngest benefited from the Ready Fluency Drills and Reading Comprehension activities. Both enjoyed the games and puzzles. We look forward to continuing with the program into the fall as homeschoolers.

S Sarah S. August 11, 2022

This program kept my kids sharp over the summer. Thank you!

M Mary M. June 2, 2022

We love the summer program. My daughter has not only increased her words per minute but also has expanded her comprehension. She is learning valuable note taking strategies and has drastically improved her spelling. She also enjoys the content! We are excited to see her growth.

N Natalie M. May 23, 2022

Last summer, my husband and I enrolled our daughters (then entering grade 3 and entering grade 2) in the summer program. This program really helped them with reading comprehension! It gave us as parents the tools we needed to ask the right questions to help them too! Also, the games were really enjoyable! We even played them AFTER the lesson was over for the day. We were very impressed with the variety of activities and tools available with this program. We will be re-enrolling them this summer! Thank you!

A Amy D. May 7, 2022

My daughter is begging me to do your reading program again to strengthen her skills. The guides for note-taking and how to pick out important information was only second to the fun activities each day last year. We look forward to seeing what’s in store for this year!

M Melinda G. August 9, 2021

We are currently working on week 5 of our program. We really like it and are seeing benefits already. Thank you!

L Lisa G. August 2, 2021

Thank you for partnering with me to help my daughters improve their reading skills. They are really enjoying your program and are excited about becoming more confident readers. I am loving it already! I signed up my twin daughters, who are homeschooled.

W Wendi L. July 24, 2021

My children took the Scholar Within reading program. I was impressed with how user-friendly and intuitive the program is.

S Sabrina D. July 12, 2021

The Monday exercise of reading and taking notes followed with questions on those selections on Wednesday is a really great help for my kids. This lets them work on their comprehension skills. It has made a big difference! The whole program has been a good experience for us. Thank you very much!

N Niiro T. June 18, 2021

Even when I’m not sure how to reason/explain to my son about a reading comprehension answer, all I have to do is ask you. You are so good at giving quick replies that are easy for me to tell my son. Thank you!

C Calvin T. October 17, 2020

We really loved the program. Thanks so much for all of the neat assignments and games to enhance executive function skills.

K Kameron F. September 6, 2020

Thanks for your help throughout this process. You are so responsive whenever I have a question or concern. I see activities on the different levels for my kids which makes them easy to follow. This has been an awesome experience for our family.

J Jill G. August 25, 2020

This program really helped my daughter and we saw a difference in her reading and spelling fairly quickly. Plus, she enjoyed the lessons which, as a parent, is probably the most important thing as she was motivated every day to continue learning.

J Jennifer P. August 5, 2020

My son is doing well and shows improvements with the reading drills each day. He is also doing well with all the work that is presented. His overall work is improving too. He’s even able to find spelling errors now. Woohoo!

K Ketul P. August 1, 2020

This is great a summer reading program. My son has really improved his reading comprehension skills. Thank you, Bonnie Terry, for designing such a great course.

D Danielle D. July 24, 2020

Scholar Within has been an amazing resource for my 8-year-old twins this summer. I was so worried about what to do during this summer. It has been great to see how far they have come. They definitely enjoyed how interactive it has been, not just reading. I have recommended this to many of my friends.

C Cynthia B. July 18, 2020

I really do like the reading fluency drills. They are making a difference for my son. They are so easy to fit into our day. The thing we didn’t like was all the printing we had to do each week.

C Caroline L. July 10, 2020

I enrolled both my sons in the Reading Program this summer. It made such a huge difference for my son who has learning disabilities when we did the summer program two years ago. His teacher was amazed at the improvement in his fluency and comprehension (going into Grade 5). The team has been so flexible with “pausing” our program for a couple of weeks while we are away on vacation too. Note taking is such a key skill that is not really taught here in Ontario, Canada. I think this course will help my kids not fall behind from missing 3 months of school due to COVID 19. I am a poor substitute teacher, but I have confidence that Bonnie’s system is evidence-based, so I just have to follow instructions. Very glad to be able to access this course for homeschooling this summer!

R Regina A. June 20, 2020

The videos made all the difference in the world. The spelling videos showed me step by step the structure. You really made spelling easy for my kids. I just keep working with the video, the spelling, the way you explain it, they watch it over and over. It really sinks in. Your materials help build their self-esteem up. They’re short quick activities. You can get so much done in half an hour.

W Wendy F. June 12, 2020

We are really liking the summer reading program. I appreciate that you moved my daughter’s level to make the program even more effective for her. Thanks so much.

R Rachel C. June 5, 2020

This is a comprehensive program that can be implemented at home. I bought 5 folders and labeled them for each day of the week, plus an extra folder to hold copies of extra forms that are used regularly. You need a decent printer, lots of printer paper, and toner (though I hear they are making print material available for a separate purchase soon!). I prepped the whole week every Sunday evening and had the folders ready for my son and his grandmother to work on each day. It can be kind of overwhelming at first to figure out all the assignments and get it all prepped, but it’s worth it. This is a well thought out program with excellent customer service. We had several questions and adjustments throughout our time with the program and always got quick, helpful, personable replies. Unfortunately, my son’s school year has ramped up and we don’t have enough time to fit Scholar Within into his day. We hope to be back to do a summer program next summer!

M Megan W. May 22, 2020

I did find the videos and activities interesting. There was a bit too much printing for me.

C Cathy H. May 14, 2020

Jake is doing well and enjoying the program. I’m so pleased with how he has improved and that he likes doing our sessions! Thanks so much!

K Katherine W. May 5, 2020

My son’s first drill trend is definitely going in the right direction. His words per minute increased by 17%, and his mistakes decreased, and this is only the first week. I can’t believe he had that much progress already. Thank you for this program and thanks so much for being available for questions, too!

T Tricia L. September 5, 2019

Last summer my 3 kids were enrolled in both Scholar Within and another major summer reading program. Scholar Within had more fun activities and games and really focused on building the underlying skills to really prepare for the upcoming year. The other program didn’t build skills in the same way, and was less interactive in my home.

C Christine P. August 27, 2019

Your program has so many great things in it. The plan for an excursion was a brilliant idea! We made a trip to the Children’s Museum in Indianapolis and to the Science Museum in St. Louis. I have seen improvements and I have gained insight into how my daughter reads and processes (or lack thereof) the reading assignments. Thank you so very much! The whole-brain approach to improving reading has been very insightful.

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Included in the Program:

• Weekly Reading Selections
• Reading Comprehension Questions
• Reading Fluency Training Drills
• Phonics and Spelling Video Lessons
• Spelling Worksheets and Puzzles
• Video Instruction
• Graphic Organizer Forms
• Note-Taking Printables
• Executive Function Activities
• Brain-Body Activities
• Daily Emails

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Summer Reading Program by Grade Level

Learn more about what reading skills your kids will build in our summer reading program.

Entering Kindergarten Summer Program

Entering 1st Grade Summer Program

Entering 2nd Grade Summer Program

Entering 3rd Grade Summer Program

Entering 4th Grade Summer Program

Entering 5th Grade Summer Program

Entering 6th Grade Summer Program

Entering 7th Grade Summer Program

Entering 8th Grade Summer Program

How do I choose a grade or reading level?

After sign up, you will be asked what grade your child is currently and whether they are above grade level, at grade level, or below grade level by 1-3 years in their reading skills.

Give your best estimate. If the material you choose is too easy or too hard, contact us and we'll adjust your account.

Additionally, you can choose a couple of sample reading passages at the grade level you think your child is capable of reading proficiently.

Have them read aloud to you. Make a note of any repetitions, substitutions, omissions, or mispronunciations they make. Then ask them at least five comprehension questions.

Instructional level is reading without mistakes with a 93% accuracy and a minimum of 75% comprehension.

Is the reading and spelling program all online?

The program materials and teaching videos are delivered and accessed online. Each day you will print out a few pages of handouts to use with your kids. Most of the lessons and activities are done  offline  at a table or outside.

There are a lot of fun activities and games. With grades K-3, most of the activities are done with the parent and child together. For grades 4 and above, there are a couple of activities done with the parent and child together, and the rest the child can do independently.

Does it really only take 45-60 minutes a day?

The short answer is yes!

Each day there are a few handouts to print out and instructional videos to watch. Each day's actual activities should only take 45-60 minutes of actual work.

The first week takes a little bit of time and prep to get up to speed, but by the second week, the activities become second nature.

We often suggest breaking up some of the activities to different parts of the day.

What does a typical day look like?

• Print out the handouts
• Watch the short videos either by yourself or with your kids to know what to do (about 5 minutes)
• Do the fluency training with your kids (5 minutes)
• Activities for comprehension, phonics, brain-body, and executive function rotate throughout the week (20 – 40 minutes)

What if we have a vacation during the program?

Many families don’t have plans initially to miss any weeks, but we know that plans change. That is why with the 6-week program you get 8 weeks of access, with the 8-week program you get 10 weeks of access, and with the 10-week program, you get 12 weeks of access.

Are there live classes?

No. We currently do not have live classes.

We have designed this program to be step-by-step with bite-sized activities. You won't have to worry about missing a Zoom class, being late, or your kids being still in their pajamas. You can do the activities in the program on your schedule and make up missed days at your convenience.

We have video spelling instruction that your kids will follow along with their corresponding worksheets. If you want feedback on your child's work, send us a picture of it via email.

How is the program designed?

The program was designed by learning expert Bonnie Terry, M.Ed., BCET. The curriculum in the program was designed over the course of Bonnie Terry's 35+ years of teaching from hands-on in her former private learning center and now, in an at-home and online environment. Bonnie has worked with kids of all abilities, whether they are struggling, have learning challenges like dyslexia, auditory processing disorder (APD), and ADD/ADHD, or are just looking to advance faster.

The National Reading Panel has made it clear that the best approach to reading instruction is one that incorporates:

• Explicit instruction in phonemic awareness
• Systematic phonics instruction
• Methods to improve fluency
• Vocabulary instruction
• Ways to enhance comprehension

Scholar Within's summer reading program includes these components through short step-by-step multisensory activities. The program is Orton-Gillingham based and is the perfect way for your kids to not only keep their skills up over summer but to get ahead, make learning easier, and spend less time on homework come the fall.

Why is spelling included in the reading program?

Spelling is a critical component of our reading program as it enhances a student’s ability to sound out, read and spell words they are unfamiliar with.

Spelling is the process of encoding (pull the sounds apart within a word and match letters to the sounds). Reading is the opposite process, decoding words (sounding out words). With both processes, you match sounds with the letters they represent.

The specific multisensory method we use with spelling ensures that all students have a solid foundation of phonics and spelling as well as word structure.

Reading comprehension activities

Reading comprehension is your ability to understand and use what you have read, listened to, or watched.

In our summer reading program, your child will use our custom-designed graphic organizers to organize information of what they have read into a graphical display. This is a critical component in improving reading comprehension. These organizers make note-taking easy. 

Additionally, story structure, summarizing, question answering, and question generation are all critical pieces of comprehension. We also include these components of comprehension in our summer reading program.

Reading speed (fluency) activities

Reading Fluency is the ability to retrieve words automatically and easily, almost without thought. When you read nearly effortlessly and accurately, you are able to hold pieces of information (text) in your mind which improves your overall comprehension. 

Dr. Sally Shaywitz, the author of Overcoming Dyslexia , states, “Fluency Training is one of the most important things a parent can do to help their child improve their reading skills.” Improving your reading fluency is one of the easiest things you can do to improve your reading skills.

Our summer reading program includes short reading fluency activities that you will do each day. This activity only takes 5-minutes and your kids will see and chart their progress each day. These specific activities work on eye-tracking skills, visual processing, and rapid automatized naming. In other words, these activities help your kids learn to read faster. You can download the first fluency activity here for free.

Phonics activities

Phonics is the ability to match sounds with the letters that they represent. Our summer reading program improves this ability at all ages. Even older students use phonics skills when sounding out larger words they are not familiar with. 

These skills enhance a student's ability to both pull apart and blend together sounds within a word or syllable. Systematically manipulating phonemes (the smallest unit of sound in speech; e.g. the word hat has 3 phonemes /h/, /a/, and /t/) significantly improves reading and spelling abilities. 

Over the years, we have seen that adding this training at every level enhances the reading skills of all students, whether they are primary, middle, or upper-grade students. The National Reading Panel concludes that “phonics instruction produces significant benefits with reading.”

We work on improving phonics skills in several different ways. 

• Specific spelling, spelling pattern, and phonic activities
• Interactive spelling and phonics video lessons
• Reading fluency training that focuses on every phonemic component in the English language
• Weekly printable card game activities

Orton-Gillingham based

Research on teaching reading and spelling dates back to the early 1930s, first with Samuel Orton and then later with Anna Gillingham. They developed a teaching approach, the Orton-Gillingham method (OG), to help struggling readers and spellers. Their teaching methods include what is currently considered best practices: sequential, phonics-based systems that teach the basics of word formation before whole meanings.

Learning through all three senses (auditory, visual, and tactile-kinesthetic) is essential. This multisensory approach has been proven effective for students of all abilities, including those with dyslexia and other learning challenges. 

The Scholar Within Reading Program incorporates these OG principles and strategies along with the latest research on learning. 

Orton-Gillingham Instructional Components for Optimal Learning:

• Multisensory : Uses all of the senses (auditory, visual, and tactile-kinesthetic)
• Sequential : Proceeds step-by-step in a logical sequence
• Incremental : Each lesson builds upon prior learning
• Cumulative : Constantly and consistently reviews previously taught concepts
• Individualized : Meets each student’s individual needs
• Phonogram-Based : Words are based on combining letters and letter combinations known as phonograms (the sound-symbol relationship, also known as the Alphabetic Principle)
• Explicit : Stated clearly and in a detailed manner

What about learning disabilities, dyslexia, and ADHD?

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This program has been designed by learning disabilities expert and board-certified educational therapist Bonnie Terry, M.Ed., BCET. Bonnie has worked with children and adults of all abilities for over 30 years and has discovered the code for the best way to teach reading and spelling.

In addition to improving reading skills, your children will also improve their overall auditory, visual, and tactile-kinesthetic processing skills to make overall learning easier.

Multisensory reading instruction

In this reading program, your child will learn through seeing, hearing, and doing. Learning to read through multiple senses builds stronger associations, improves retention and speeds up recall skills.

In other words, learning to read in this way makes reading easier and automatic. This at-home and online reading program is specifically designed with short activities that integrate hearing, seeing, and doing.

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Trending Post : Books Made Into Movies

50 Best 5th Grade Books for Summer Reading

This post may contain affiliate links.

Need the best 5th grade books for summer reading? This list of books for your kids, ages 10 or 11, are organized by genres to help you find a good middle grade book for every interest and reader.

If you’re new to Imagination Soup, welcome! I’m a former teacher, a mother, a writer, and an avid children’s literature reader. I read over 1000 books a year and pick the best books to share with you!

Speaking of picking books, let your readers choose the books they want to read from this list! Why? Because book choice is crucial to ownership and motivation.

SHOP this list on Amazon .

I’m not including reviews on this book list for 5th graders, but you can read all my book reviews and recommendations for 5th graders here.

In addition, it’s worth mentioning that these books are good choices for other grade levels, too.

However, if you want other book lists of easier or harder book lists, check these summer reading lists:

Summer Reading List for 4th Grade

Summer Reading List for 6th Grade .

See ALL  summer reading lists  here .

Remember, summer reading programs  can be a great motivation for your fifth graders. I especially love programs that give free books as a reward. Even better, when they give readers the book first!!

Don’t miss this free reading printable for summer as well as a different  free summer “Brain Camp” learning printable .

Best 5th Grade Books to Read for Summer Reading (Ages 10 – 11)

Fantasy summer reading book ideas for 5th grade.

If you like fantasy and sci-fi , you’ll love:

• Amari and the Night Brothers (series) by B.B. Alston
• The Endling: The Last (series) by Katherine Applegate
• Travis Daventhorpe for the Win! by Wes Molebash
• Area 51 Interns: Alien Summer by James S. Murray and Carsen Smith
• Escape from Atlantis by Kate O’Hearn
• Pahua and the Soul Stealer by Lori Lee
• Dungeoneer Adventures by Ben Costa and James Parks
• Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat

Adventure Summer Reading for 5th Grade

If you like adventures , you’ll love

• Green Lantern Legacy by Minh Le (graphic novel)
• Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation (series) by Stuart Gibb
• Explorer Academy: The Nebula Secret (series) by Trudi Trueit
• Alone by Megan E Freeman
• Masterminds (series) by Gordon Korman
• The Unforgettable Logan Foster  by Shawn Peters

Mystery Summer Reading for 5th Grade

If you like mysteries , you’ll love:

• Minerva Keen’s Detective Club  by James Patterson and Keir Graff
• Framed! A T.O.A.S.T. Mystery (series) by James Ponti
• The Screaming Staircase (series) by Jonathan Stroud
• Nooks and Crannies  by Jessica Lawson
• The Frame-Up by Wendy McLeod MacKnight
• The Case of the Left-Handed Lady: An Enola Holmes Mystery  (series) by  Nancy Springer

Historical Fiction Summer Reading for 5th Grade

If your 5th grader likes historical fiction , they’ll love   one of these middle grade choices:

• A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
• Lifeboat 12  by Susan Hood
• Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park
• Brother’s Keeper by Julie Lee
• Pony  by R.J. Palacio
• Loyalty by Avi
• The War That Saved My Life (series) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

5th Grade Books to Read: REALISTIC

If you like realistic fiction , try reading one of these excellent 5th grade books:

• Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte (graphic novel)
• Roll with It by Jamie Sumner
• A Duet for Home by Karina Yan Glaser
• Unteachables by Gordon Korman
• Isaiah Dunn is My Hero  by Kelly J. Baptist
• Not an Easy Win by Chrystal B. Giles
• New Kid  by Jerry Craft (graphic novel)
• From the Desk of Zoe Washington  by Janae Marks
• Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
• Finally Seen by Kelly Yang

5th Grade Books for Summer Reading: FUNNY

If you like funny books , you’ll laugh your way through these choices:

• Phoebe and Her Unicorn: A Heavenly Nostrils Chronicle  by Dana Simpson
• The Worst Class Trip Ever (series) by Dave Barry
• The Last Kids on Earth (series) by Max Brallier
• Anyone But Ivy Pocket  by Caleb Krisp
• The Last Last Day of Summer  by Lamar Giles
• Once Upon a Tim by Stuart Gibbs
• Crabgrass Comic Adventures by Tauhid Bondia

5th Grade Books to Read: ANIMALS

If you like animal stories,  you’ll love:

• Katie the Catsitter by Colleen AF Venable (graphic novel)
• Always Clementine by Carlie Sorosiak
• Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH   by Robert C. O’Brien
• Ride On  (gn) by Faith Erin Hicks
• A Whale in the Wild by Rosanne Parry
• Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire
• The Aquanaut by Dan Santat
• Dog Driven   by Terry Lynn Johnson

5th Grade Books to Read: NONFICTION

What about NONFICTION ? Here are some great choices:

• Accidental Archeologists: True Stories of Unexpected Discoveries by Sarah Albee
• Two Truths and a Lie by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Lisa K. Weber
• So You Want to Be a Ninja? by Bruno Vincent
• A Brief History of Underpants   by Christine Van Zandt
• The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome by Jonathan Stokes
• Black Heroes of the Wild West by James Otis Smith (graphic novel)
• Human Body Learning Lab  by Betty Choi, M.D.
• Almanac 2023  National Geographic Kids
• The Biggest Stuff in the Universe  by Mr. DeMaio
• Wild Life! a Look at Nature’s Odd Ducks, Underfrogs, and Other At-Risk Species  by Re:Wild and Syd Robinson

Don’t forget to find ways to make reading FUN!

Participate in a summer reading program.

Read with a headlamp in bed.

Read on an electronic device. ( Free eBooks ?)

Start a book club .

Reward reading with . . . more BOOKS! (Kids choose, of course.)

Read nonfiction books and  graphic novels , too.

Even More Book Suggestions for Your 5th Graders:

–>  More Book Recommendations Plus REVIEWS for 5th Graders

Summer Reading List for 6th Grade

Brain Camp Summer Learning Printable

KEEP READING:

Best Book Series for 5th Grade

Read Aloud Book List for 5th Grade

Good Books for 10 Year Olds

Summer Reading Lists for Kids

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

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14 Comments

I love your lists! They have been so helpful in finding books for my 11 year old, reluctant reader! Thank you so much!

YAY! It makes me so happy to know this. You are very welcome. 🙂

Hello this is a nice resource to have but I was looking more for classic books recommended for my son’s age 10yo? I’m I missing a list somewhere?

I don’t have a list like that but my friend, Erica at What Do We Do All Day does here: https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/classic-books-for-tweens/ .

I could not find a printable Summer Reading List for fifth grade, and I really like what you have for the other grade levels. I am the librarian for a private school, and I would love to share your lists with my students.

thank you so much for pointing that out — it’s fixed. Here’s the link: https://imaginationsoup.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/5th-grade-summer-reading-list-2.pdf

I agree. I love the books lists and would like to share with the families at my school; however, I am unable to find printable lists for many of the grades. Only Pre-K, 1st, and 4th are working for me.

Sorry about that — my forms aren’t working. Do you want all of the grade level lists? I am happy to email them to you.

Hello! Love your site and the resources it provides for myself (with my own children) and for my school. I tried the 5th grade link above and it says “page not found.” Is there another link to try? Thanks for sharing!

try https://imaginationsoup.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/5th-grade-summer-reading-list-2.pdf

You have the BEST book lists. I know I can trust your decisions and they’ll make every member of my family happy. Whether we’re listening to them on audio books or reading together. They’re great!

I have read the book The One and Only Ivan with my class it is an amazing book for children.

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5th Grade Summer Reading List - Recommended Books

Summer reading is a great opportunity for fifth graders to discover new favorite books. After all, 10-11 year old students have an enormous choice of quality books from which to choose! This 5th grade summer reading list brings together a selection of titles on a wide variety of topics and genres. So, whether you're headed to the library, or want to supplement a classroom suggested reading list, there's something for everyone here!

Kids who read about diverse subjects and people from all walks of life have greater success in school and develop into compassionate individuals. Reading books from the recommended books on this summer reading list will also help kids avoid the dreaded "summer slide."

These suggested books can be enjoyed by rising or incoming 5th graders, or students who just finished 5th grade and are a great addition to any summer reading program.

Since fifth graders ( 10-11 year olds ) read at different levels these summer reading lists will also be helpful:

• 4th grade summer reading list
• 6th grade summer reading list

Note: this post contains Amazon and Bookshop affiliate links. Purchases made through these links may earn commission for this blog. Bookshop supports independent booksellers. You can see this list, in addition to our other summer reading lists curated at Bookshop .

Book Genres

Contemporary realism, historical fiction, fantasy and sci-fi, graphic novels.

SURVIVING THE APPLEWHITES  by Stephanie S. Tolan

Find it: Amazon | Bookshop

Jake has gotten kicked out of his last school and is now living with the eccentric, artistic, homeschooling Applewhite family. The father is directing a local production of  "The Sound of Music" and no one is more surprised than Jake when he discovers he loves performing. I loved the quirky characters and the boundless energy of this book. When the family has to pull together to get the show up after they are blackballed by a local stage mom, the results are hilariously successful. I really enjoy how the story reinforces the necessity of cooperation when putting on a play and also recommend it as a terrific read aloud.

MARTIN MCLEAN MIDDLE SCHOOL QUEEN by Alyssa Zaczek

Find it: Bookshop | Amazon

Seventh grader, Martin McLean, is trying to figure out where he fits in. He loves being on the Mathletes team and he embraces his mixed race ( Afro-Cuban and white ) identity. He's particularly close with his Tío Billy, who supports Martin's interest in entering a drag queen contest. Now that Martin has found a way to express himself he wants to figure out a way to tell his friends. This is a wonderful, readable story which presents diverse racial, cultural and gender identities in a positive light.

THE TOOTHPASTE MILLIONAIRE by Jean Merrill

The practical side of math is highlighted when sixth-graders Rufus and Kate decide to invent a superior toothpaste, sell it and make their fortunes. First published 40 years ago, Jean Merrill's book ( she also wrote The Pushcart War) is still a highly entertaining celebration of the imaginative spirit. After reading this book, don't be surprised to see your kids start up a new entrepreneurial endeavor using their math skills!

SAVE ME A SEAT by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

This funny and touching story of Ravi, an Indian immigrant adjusting to middle school and Joe, a boy who recently lost his best friend due to a move, is told in alternating voices. The two boys become friends when they unite again a school bully and one seriously crazy week full of laugh out loud humor ensues.

Historical fiction summer reading books give kids a glimpse into the past, while also seeing parallels with the present.

BUD, NOT BUDDY by Christopher Paul Curtis

Curtis is one my favorite middle grade authors. 10-year-old Buddy runs away from a series of unpleasant foster homes and sets out to find his father, whom he believes to be a jazz musician. Set in the depression, Curtis’ writing is filled with humor as well as serious truths. Ultimately, it’s an optimistic book, full of laughs and one cannot help but fall in love with Buddy. Ages 7 and up.

LIZARD'S TALE by Weng Wai Chan

Half-Cantonese, half-British Lizard went to live with his Uncle Archie after his parents died. However, when Uncle Archie disappeared unexpectedly, Lizard finds his way to Chinatown, surviving by doing odd jobs. One of those jobs involves stealing a mysterious teak box. When things don't go according to plan, Lizard is left with the box. He and his friend try to understand the mystery of the box, which somehow connects to the war, secret codes and the disappearance of Uncle Archie. Lizard's Tale has a lot going for it. An uncommon setting of 1940 Singapore, themes of belonging, prejudice and friendship, surprising turns of events and character revelations make this a book not to be missed.

THE HERO'S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM (series) by Christopher Healy

Fans of fairy tale adventures will enjoy this cheeky and humorous story about the "Prince Charmings." The princes, who now have actual names, turned out by their princesses for various reasons of unsuitability, band together to prove themselves worthy by defeating Rapunzel's witch. The feisty princesses also make an appearance and by the end of the book it is hard not to laugh out loud at the lovable foolishness of the princes' exploits. Great fun.

SAVVY  (series) by Ingrid Law

Mibs Beaumont is about to turn thirteen, the age when Beaumont children find out what their magic, or "savvy", will be. Mibs' brothers can control natural elements, and her mother can do everything perfectly. Right before her 13th birthday party, her father has an accident and Mibs is convinced that her power will allow her to heal him. She runs away with her siblings and friends to try and reach him. A magical coming of age story.

AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS (series) by B.B. Alston

Amari's brother, Quinton, is missing, but Amari insists that he is still alive. One day there is a mysterious visitor on her doorstep who delivers a package that reveals Quinton's secret. He is part of a Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and now Amari has a chance to find her own magic and earn a place in the Bureau. But Amari is not just an escapist fantasy, Alston deftly incorporates themes of bullying, prejudice and inequality.

SISTERS OF THE NEVERSEA by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Lily and Wendy are stepsisters, but also friends. One night, during story time with their younger brother, Michael, Peter and the fairy Belle arrive and invite them to Neverland. One sister is eager to go. The other turns down the offer, but Peter's shadow convinces her to follow them. Cynthia Leitich Smith has crafted a truly marvelous re-envisioning of the Peter Pan legend centered around a blended Muskogee Creek and British family.

THE SERPENT'S SECRET (series) by Sayantani DasGupta

DasGupta's original story draws upon Bengali myths and folklore. Kiranmala, and Indian sixth-grade interdimensional demon slayer is concerned. A spell gone awry has sent her parents into another dimension and she is about to be eaten by a  rakkhosh demon in her own kitchen. Thus begins a highly engaging and funny adventure in which Kiranmala rejects two princes' offers to rescue her, travels to a magical dimension full of fantastic beasts, battles demons, solves riddles and saves New Jersey.

The right mystery in the hands of a tween reader will keep them turning pages until the end.

THE SWALLOWTAIL LEGACY: WRECK AT ADA'S REEF (series) by Michael D. Beil

Lark Heron-Finch and her sister are headed to Swallowtail Island with their stepfather and stepbrothers for the summer. Their summerhouse has been in the family for decades and while on the island, Lark learns of a tragic boating accident that happened in the past. Lark sets out to uncover the truth of what actually happens and in doing so, changes her own, and others' lives.

UNDER THE EGG by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Just before her grandfather died, he whispered to Theodora, "There's a letter… And a treasure" hidden "under the egg." Theodora, whose mother is incapable of taking care of her, must find away to pay the bills and she starts her search for this mysterious treasure involving a work of art. Her hunt takes her all over New York City, into the past, and introduces her to a diverse group of new friends. The secrets Theodora uncovers take her ( and the reader! ) by surprise.

BRIXTON BROTHERS MYSTERIOUS CASES OF CASES (series) by Mac Barnett

12-year-old Steve dreams of being a detective and has studiously read and re-read "The Baily Brothers Detective Handbook."  He knows everything about solving crimes, which comes in handy when he finds himself thrown into the middle of an exciting mystery. Every book in the series has tons of adventure, twist and turns, loads of intelligent humor and a satisfying ending

MILES MORALES, SHOCK WAVES by Justin A. Reynolds, illustrated by Pablo Leon

Even kids who aren't into Spider Man will love this graphic novel. Miles Morales is just a kid attending high school in Brooklyn who starts a fundraiser for victims of an earthquake in Puerto Rico. However, he finds himself delving into the connections of his friend's missing father and the corporation behind his fundraiser. Spider-Man must spring into action!

THE CARDBOARD KINGDOM by Chad Sell

This is a joyous tale of neighborhood kids who transform mere cardboard into the most marvelous imaginative world. The story is collaboratively written by a number of authors. Sixteen characters transform their world and learn about their own identities, making this book a wonderful tour de force!

MISTER INVINCIBLE: LOCAL HERO by Pascal Jousselin

Everyone in our family loved Mister Invincible ! This French comic features a masked crusader who helps ordinary people, fights villains and foils the devious plots of mad scientists. What's his superpower, you ask? It's breaking through the walls of the comic strip boxes. Mr. Invincible can reach through one panel to affect the action in previous and future panels. Great fun!

WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE (History Smashers series) by Kate Messner, illustrated by Dylan Meconis

For kids who might be a little history-resistant, Messner's new series, "History Smashers" is a great choice. With easy-to-read text, lots of illustrations and a good dose of humor, Messner makes learning about history fun and entertaining. We all know laughter helps kids retain knowledge, right? Highly recommended.

More History Smashers titles include: Plagues & Pandemics , Titanic , and The Mayflower .

THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE (History Comics series) by Kate Hannigan, illustrated by Alex Graudins

Graphic novels are a great way to make history come alive. Boring date memorization can't hold a candle to exciting illustrations and witty asides housed in speech bubbles. Hannigan tells the story of the Chicago fire of 1871 through the eyes of a brother and sister trying to escape the flames. The duo then reappear at the World's Fair in 1893, showing the recovery of the city. I especially appreciated the way Hannigan weaves insightful commentary into the narrative.

ROCKET TO THE MOON! (Big Ideas that Changed the World series) by Don Brown

I love that Brown wrote a graphic novel about the Apollo 11 mission because my younger son is not very interested in science, but because he adores graphic novels and comics he read this book several times. Brown is an experienced author of historical fiction for children and this is a wonderful book to read in celebration of the anniversary of the moon landing .

Also read in the same series: A Shot in the Arm! , and Machines that Think .

Reader Interactions

Stacey says

April 27, 2015 at 11:27 am

What a fun list! My daughter and I have read a bunch but there are many new-to-us titles on here too that I can't wait to explore. I just started The War That Save My Life and I'm loving it too!!!

Erica MomandKiddo says

April 27, 2015 at 12:40 pm

It's such a good book!

Katey Howes says

April 27, 2015 at 12:54 pm

My daughter is heading into 5th grade in the fall, and these look like some great suggestions! She has already read Under the Egg, so we are thinking of doing Chasing Vermeer and From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler this summer, to go with the "art mystery" theme. Flora and Ulysses was a family favorite last summer, as well. Thanks for the great ideas.

April 29, 2015 at 12:49 pm

Mrs. Basil E is one of my all time favorite books. I really want to read Chasing Vermeer, as well. So many books, so little time. 🙂

April 30, 2015 at 3:13 pm

What a wonderful list! A couple of these are already on our to-be-read shelf. The Grand Plan to Fix Everything is a new one for me, though. It sounds like a story my nine-year-old daughter will really enjoy. Thanks for the suggestions!

May 01, 2015 at 6:39 am

I hope she enjoys it!

Jacquie says

May 11, 2015 at 6:01 pm

I saw your comment so I thought I'd leave a note as I'm just finishing a 'books to bring to the museum' list -- Mrs. Basil E. was my favorite book growing up and it great for an art theme! My son also loved Chasing Vermeer (as did I -- lots of cool math intertwined with that). Another great art-themed read is Masterpiece which comes with some interesting discussion on it's own.

We just finished the Applewhites as a read aloud (wonderful book) and Out of Dust was a very sad but memorable read. Off to check out a few of these that we haven't read as our summer begins in 9 days so we're really building our reading lists 🙂

Linda Elkin says

May 13, 2015 at 8:47 am

i would love for you to check out my book, perfect for 10-12 year old girls, but boys could enjoy and learn a thing or two as well: Middle school is constant drama. Everyone’s changing. Everyone’s emotions are moody. And everyone’s brains are overloaded. How can anyone survive this awkward, challenging, and at times just plain miserable period of life?

Based on her first day of seventh grade, Gaby has no idea. First her two best friends ditch her. She then gets stuck sitting with Lily, one of the most unpopular girls in the grade. And English class doesn’t make life any better, as she has to write a nonfiction book on anything—anything—by the end of the term. Gaby has too many problems to even think about writing a book. But Lily thinks the answer is just that: to write about middle school nightmares, and deal with cliques, crushes, bullies, friend fights, and more.

elizabeth says

May 18, 2015 at 3:10 pm

I am moving back to 5th grade in the fall and couldn't be happier about it! Some of my favorites to use the last time I taught 5th grade (2006) were Andrew Clements' books such as The Landry News and Frindle. I love the way he writes about 5th and 6th graders!

May 20, 2015 at 6:06 am

Clements' books are so great for this age! Thanks for suggesting them. We had a great time reading Frindle.

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Fun teaching resources & tips to help you teach math with confidence

Engaging Summer Math: Easy, Hands On & FUN Ideas

Looking for low-key ways to keep kids learning math over the summer? Find engaging summer math ideas below, including hands on practice, easy games, LEGO math and more!

Ahhh, summer.

A time for vacations and catching fireflies, trips to the pool and firing up the grill. While there are probably endless images and activities that come to mind when you think of summer, I’m willing to bet that doing math just isn’t one of them.

But the truth is, for most students, summer is a time when all the important math skills they worked so hard to learn throughout the year are completely lost . So here are some SUPER simple summer math activities that will keep your kids from being bored (and keep them learning!).

* Please note : Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and help support the work of this site. Thanks for understanding! Feel free to read our full disclosure here . *

Fun and Simple Summer Math Activities:

Read through the different types of ideas below to find some summer math activities that are right for your kids. There are ideas for games and puzzles that won’t even feel like learning, along with outdoor games, hands on activities, simple printable pages and more!

Play with Math Puzzles:

• Work on Sudoku puzzles. Kids too young for them? Check out Kidoku Puzzles  | Krazy Dad
• Try Magic Squares or a Magic Triangle | What Do We Do All Day
• Play with these Pattern Block Logic Puzzles
• Challenge each other to Mental Math Races
• Create Jumping Mazes (inside or outside!)
• Put together these Fraction Puzzles , Telling Time Puzzles or Money Puzzles

Take Math Outside:

• Have an even and odd number beanbag toss
• Practice important skills with Water Balloon Math | No Time for Flash Cards
• Make a hula hoop clock  to review time related problems | Creekside Learning
• Build 3D shapes with sticks | Creative Star Learning
• Play Marshmallow Shoot and Measure | No Time for Flash Cards
• Have a shapes scavenger hunt  (Want more of a challenge? Look for 3D shapes instead!)
• Play Sidewalk Chalk Number Line Race
• Practice measurement in your flower bed or garden | The Educator’s Spin On It
• Heading to the beach? Use sea shells for counting, sorting or a fun memory game | No Time for Flash Cards
• Try a fun twist on a classic: Skip Counting Hopscotch
• Play Puddle Jump , a simple, easily adaptable game

Related: 6 Little Known Benefits of Taking Math Outside

Learn Math with LEGO:

• Work on place value with LEGO | The Science Kiddo
• Explore addition & subtraction with LEGO
• Explore multiplication & division with LEGO
• Build a rocket powered Lego car | Frugal Fun 4 Boys
• Play LEGO Baseball (and discuss statistics!) | Teach Mama
• Practice double digit addition and subtraction | Real Life at Home
• Create LEGO Duplo Puzzles for your kids to put together
• Prove the Pythagorean Theorem with LEGO bricks

**Looking for more LEGO math ideas? Check out 30+ easy ways to learn with LEGO Math!

Play Math Games:

• Play with a Calculator ( hint: NOT to do math calculations ) or try these fun calculator riddles | And Next Comes L
• Play Strike it Out for adding and subtracting fun | Teach Mama
• Play Math Twister to review any and all math facts
• Use this simple game to review any math facts (all you need is a piece of paper!)
• Let the kids “play store” with their favorite books or toys to practice adding money and making change (Here’s a great Play Money Set )
• Play this “Jack and the Beanstalk” multiplication game | Relentlessly Fun, Deceptively Educational
• Play Multiplication Dash , another printable multiplication game
• Play a math card game
• Make a DIY Mancala Game and play together

Read Math Story Books:

• Learn with the “Sir Cumference” math story books
• Read and play with Ten Apples Up On Top
• Learn about money with Pigs will Be Pigs
• See math in real life with Math Curse
• Explore fractions and patterns with The Lion’s Share
• Learn about triangles with The Greedy Triangle
• Practice problem solving with The Grapes of Math
• Tell time with The Grouchy Ladybug

Looking for math books by topic? Check out the math read aloud lists below:

• Math books about counting
• Math books to explore place value and large numbers
• Math books to learn about addition & subtraction
• Math books to understand multiplication & division
• Math picture books to make sense of fractions
• Money math picture books
• Picture books about time and telling time

Math Around the House Ideas:

• Create a STEAM Bored Jar  for activities throughout the summer |  Left Brain Craft Brain
• Explore summer STEM Ideas specifically for middle school
• Practice counting with watermelon seeds (or other fruits)
• Have a weekly estimation jar challenge using small toys, balls or household items (encourage your kids to make educated guesses and work on estimating techniques)
• Get in the kitchen for fun with math and cooking
• Explore math with Q-Tips
• Play with math and Skittles in PreK-1 or math with Skittles in 3-5

Printable Summer Math Games & Practice:

Looking for some summer-themed worksheets? The activities below are a fun way to easily work on targeted math skills as kids work their way through the maze, solve the riddles or cut and paste numbers. The best part? Just print and play!

• Ice Cream Counting Mats: Play Dough Math Play | Numbers 1-20
• Summer Counting Cut & Paste | Count to 20
• Summer Math Mazes for Grades 3-4 | Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication & Division
• Camping themed Ratio & Proportion Challenges
• Summer Algebra: Solve Equations Riddle Pages

Reviewing important math skills doesn’t have to be boring, time-consuming or expensive! Use items you already have on hand, grab some books at the library or make up fun games to play outside to encourage young learners to keep thinking and problem solving all summer long!

Got any other FUN and simple summer math ideas to prevent learning loss and still have a fantastic summer?? Share in the comments! 🙂

Awesome list of activities! Definitely pinning this now… I think we might try the bean bag toss this afternoon, too. Thanks for including our STEAM Bored Jar!

You’re welcome! I thought your STEAM jar was a brilliant idea! Thanks for pinning and sharing this list! 🙂

What an awesome list of games. We love fun activities that double as learning!

My kiddos like our simple Make Ten math game. It’s nice because the game easily grows with them through the years. http://waddleeahchaa.com/2012/01/16/make-ten-math-game-book-of-the-week-giveaway/

We also have ThinkFun Math Dice Jr. Makes math practice fun!

Thanks for sharing, Jeannine! I enjoyed popping over to your site to check it out! I love simple math games with a deck of cards, so easy to set up and play! 🙂

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Wow, what a thorough list of great suggestions! I’m planning to homeschool my son for kindergarten next year, so I’ve been trying to think of ideas to keep his math skills growing without him getting bored. I’m definitely pinning this!

Thanks Michelle! I’ve been trying so hard to find things that are fun for my kids, and keep them from being bored, but do not require a week’s worth of prep on my part! 🙂 Hope you find some things here useful!

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i love that

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The New York Times

Room for debate | the crush of summer homework.

The Crush of Summer Homework

Updated, Aug. 31, 11:45 a.m. | Harris Cooper offers more details about research on the link between homework and student achievement. Scroll down to read his added explanation .

For many young Americans, going back to school might seem like rest and relaxation. In the last week before Labor Day, how many students across the country were racing to finish their summer homework, from “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” to math refresher exercises?

The pile of books and other vacation assignments appears to grow every year. Is all this homework beneficial or should children be given a break? An article in The Times on Sunday described a debate over assigned reading throughout the year. Some educators argue that students should be given wide latitude in deciding what they want to read, while others defended the “Moby-Dick” model. How should this issue be treated in summer, when some schools insist that everyone finish “The Old Man and the Sea,” while other schools say that “Gossip Girl” helps satisfy the requirement?

We asked some experts for their perspective, now that the summer homework is due.

• Harris Cooper, psychologist, Duke University
• Nancy Kalish, co-author, “The Case Against Homework”
• Mark Bauerlein, author, “The Dumbest Generation”
• Denise Pope, Stanford University School of Education
• Richard Allington, education professor, University of Tennessee
• Elizabeth Birr Moje, education professor, University of Michigan
• Tyrone Howard, education professor, U.C.L.A.

Forgotten on Vacation

Harris Cooper is chairman of the department of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University. There is growing concern about the summer vacation’s possible negative impact on learning. Many educators argue that children learn best when instruction is continuous. The long summer vacation disrupts the rhythm of instruction, leads to forgetting, and requires time be spent reviewing old material when students return to school in fall.

Research evidence bears out these concerns. A group of colleagues and I conducted a review of 39 studies, and it confirmed that, on average, achievement test scores declined between spring and fall, and the loss was more pronounced for math than reading. The reason for this subject matter difference is simple: kid’s out-of-school environments provide more opportunities to practice reading skills than math.

Students, regardless of economic status, lost roughly equal amounts of math skills over summer.

Also, the research indicated that the impact can differ based on a child’s economic background. All students, regardless of economic status, lost roughly equal amounts of math skills over summer. However, substantial differences were found for reading. On some measures, middle-class children showed gains in reading achievement, particular word recognition scores, over summer. Low-wealth children showed losses.

In addition, while research evidence is scarce, educators argue that the long summer break can have a greater negative effect on the learning of children with special educational needs. The long break also can add an extra burden for children who do not speak English at home. Not only might they have to relearn academic material, they also must reacquaint themselves with the language of instruction.

Read more…

With the great pressures that educators feel nowadays to help all children achieve at their optimum level, the practice of assigning “summer homework” has increased. These assignments can vary from giving kids a voluntary opportunity to get a head start reading books they will cover in next year’s English class to textbook assignments that they will be tested on when they come back to school in fall.

I know of no studies that have directly tested whether kids who get summer homework do better in school the next school year. I do know that summer school can be highly effective and summer homework might be considered a “low dose” of summer school. Of course, given that there is no teacher supervision and the hours spent on summer homework are typically much fewer than attending summer school, it is risky to leap from on conclusion to the other.

My suspicion is that summer homework can have a positive effect on kid’s achievement. But, like everything teachers do, it’ll work best if it is focused on explicit goals and is well-constructed with clearly instructions. It also shouldn’t be so overwhelming it crowds out the other activities that make summer special. Resentment is not conducive to learning.

And, parents need to be behind the effort. Some parents complain that kids must have time to be kids. Summer is the best kid-time of all. Many children go to summer camps where they learn lots of important skills not covered in school. Many adolescents take on jobs that teach responsibility and provide them with money for leisure time during the school year.

My advice? Teachers, you need to be careful about what and how much summer homework you assign. Summer homework shouldn’t be expected to overcome a student’s learning deficits; that’s what summer school is for. Parents, if the assignments are clear and reasonable, support the teachers. When your child says “I’m bored” (what parent hasn’t heard this on a rainy summer day?) suggest they work on an assignment. Kids, don’t wait until the week before school starts to think about what you need to get done.

What Homework Can’t Do

Nancy Kalish is the co-author of “The Case Against Homework: How Homework Is Hurting Our Children and What We Can Do About It.”

Summer homework sounds like a good idea…until you see how miserable a child looks as he slogs through that pile of book reports, math packets, journal entries, and other typical assignments. The summer load has grown significantly since we were kids. But a little hard work never hurt anyone, right?

Well in this case, it might. Schools should rethink summer homework, and not just because it stresses out kids (and parents). The truth is, homework doesn’t accomplish what we assume it does. According to a Duke University review of more than 175 studies , there is little or no correlation between homework and standardized test scores or long-term achievement in elementary school, and only a moderate correlation in middle school.

Do we want our children to start the year refreshed and ready to learn? Or burned out and resentful?

Some studies claim that students lose skills they don’t practice over the summer. However, if a child can’t regain his grasp of fractions with a brief review, maybe those skills weren’t taught well enough in the first place. Doing a mountain of math sheets without a teacher’s help — and perhaps incorrectly — is not the answer.

But there are a few things summer homework does accomplish effectively: It steals time away from other important aspects of learning such as play, which helps kids master social skills and teamwork. In addition, writing book reports means kids spend fewer hours being physically active, which is essential for good health and weight control, not to mention proper brain development.

Perhaps worst of all, summer homework affects how kids feel about learning and school. Do we want our children to start the year refreshed and ready to learn? Or burned out and resentful? It’s something every teacher should carefully consider.

Reversing the Summer Brain Drain

Mark Bauerlein is a professor of English at Emory University and the author of “The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future.”

To the general question of whether or not schools should assign summer homework, the answer is, “Yes, most assuredly.” What the assignment consists of will vary with the student population, but some extension of learning into vacation time is sorely needed.

The reason stems not only from the brain drain of summer and the fog of texting that enwraps youths during leisure hours. It relates also to an attitude young people take toward education. In a word, they regard learning as a classroom thing, that’s all. They tie knowledge to the syllabus, not to themselves. They read and study to write the paper and ace the test, not to furnish their minds. Learning is to earn a high score and good grade, not to form responsible citizens and discerning consumers.

Students regard learning as a classroom thing, and spend their leisure hours text-messaging. Here’s how we can deal with that.

A good measure of the attitude is how often they talk to teachers outside of class. According to the 2008 National Survey of Student Engagement, the rate of college seniors who “Never” or “Sometimes” (two or three times a semester?) discuss readings and ideas with teachers reaches 72 percent.

At the secondary level, according to the 2007 American Freshman Survey, the rate of high school seniors who went on to college (the high performers) who talked to teachers less than one hour per week came in at 53.4 percent. That’s a 10 point rise over 1987’s tally.

The free-ranging, back-and-forth conversation with teachers that signifies a student’s interest in the subject didn’t strike the majority as important. And why should it, when the system encourages them to respect only how learning shows up on a transcript or a test result?

The outcome is unsurprising. Once the assignment is finished and class ends — poof! The knowledge goes away. It’s done its work. Why retain it? This explains why on assessments of general knowledge learned in high school, college freshman often score higher than seniors. Time hasn’t yet taken so high a toll on their learning.

To halt the decay, teachers need to change the attitude. This means inserting more out-of-class engagement with teachers and materials, including summer homework, but not linking them so closely to a grade. The goal is not to pile on more tasks and instill more “achievement-thinking.” It is, instead, to make knowledge firmer, and to attach a message which says:

“Life is short, and the years of school pass in a rush. This is your only chance to encounter deep ideas and complex histories with a mentor to help you through. The works of beauty and truth are not chores to slog through. They are the raw materials of mind and character, and they should shape not only your resume, but you, too.”

Procrastination and Busywork

Denise Pope is senior lecturer at the Stanford University School of Education and co-founder of Challenge Success , a research and student intervention project.

The problem with summer homework is a lack of buy-in from one of the main constituencies: the students. During the school year, the students don’t necessarily enjoy doing homework, but they understand it is part of their daily routine. In the summer, students expect, and often need, a break from this routine and the daily pressures that usually accompany it.

Why should we care if the students are bought in? We know from research that motivation plays a central role in engagement with learning and, subsequently, student achievement. If students are given choice and voice in the learning process, for example, they are more likely to want to learn the material and more likely to retain it.

Summer should be seen as a gift, an important time to explore new hobbies, work a summer job, gain independence.

When students are not motivated, the teacher –- or in the case of summer, the parent — often needs to become part of the homework equation, monitoring, reminding, cajoling to make sure the work gets done. In my community, many parents complain that they don’t want to serve as “homework police” in the summer, and many admit that they are as frustrated as their kids when it comes to summer assignments.

One parent complained that her third grade son had to read five books and write five book reports over the summer. The problem was that he hated the books and kept procrastinating, and the stress on the child and on the entire family over the nine weeks became “unbearable.” Other parents admit that their kids wait until the very last minute to sit down and do the work, usually a day or two before school starts up again, and then they are cramming to get it all done.

I have seen the research that shows that students lose valuable skills when they are not in school during the summer months. And I worry especially about the kids who will spend most of the summer inside, in front of TVs or video games, and will be wasting the value of this free time. However, summer homework fails to serve its purpose if it causes undue stress on kids and families, if it is done all at once in a last minute rush, or if it is viewed as meaningless busywork.

Summer rest and exploration is especially important these days, given the increased pressure on students from high-stakes testing, the increase in homework during the school year, and the busy-ness of the extracurricular lives of many of our kids. Ideally, summer should be seen as a gift, an important time to explore new hobbies, enjoy the outdoors, read for fun, work a summer job, take on an exciting challenge, gain independence, and foster deeper connections with family and friends. The learning that happens during these experiences is as important as the skills and content learned during the school year.

If we want students to use this time wisely and appropriately, we ought to educate them about the benefits of summer time and encourage them — perhaps even give an “assignment” — to use the break to pursue interests of their choosing. Then, when they get back to school in September, they can write about, discuss, or present their “summer learning” in a way that is meaningful to them.

The Risk of Falling Behind

Richard Allington is a professor of reading education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

In some schools, it is common for students to be assigned teacher-selected books for the summer vacation months. I know of not a single study supporting this practice, but I do know of studies showing the various methods students use to convince teachers they did the reading even though they didn’t.

A basic problem with this old, and desperate, model of summer reading assignments is that only rarely do teachers (or schools) assign books that a typical kid would ever want to read.

Low-income kids lose about three months in reading proficiency every summer.

At the same time, research has also demonstrated, including with New York City school students, that students from low-income families rarely read during the summer while middle-class kids typically do. This difference accounts for roughly 80 percent of the gap in reading achievement that exists between rich and poor kids. By grade 9 that reading achievement gap is three to four years wide.

Middle-class ninth graders, on average, read at the ninth-grade level. Low-income ninth graders, regardless of ethnicity, read at the fifth- or sixth-grade level. On average, students from low-income families learn as much during the school year as kids from wealthier families — even in New York City. But every summer the lack of reading practice produces losses in reading proficiency, while doing some reading during the summer produces small gains.

The evidence is clear that how kids spend their matters. Low-income kids lose about three months in reading proficiency every summer. That means every three years they fall a year behind middle-class kids, even when their teachers are just as effective as the teachers middle-class kids have.

Several research studies have shown that simply giving low-income children books on the final day of school can stem summer reading loss. But these books must be books they can and want to read. Our studies allowed students to select the books from 500 or so titles we had picked to match student reading levels and interests. We spent about $40 per child per summer (about the same cost as a test preparation workbook). The kids each selected 12 books, which they got to keep.

I know there are readers thinking, “Why not just have these kids go to the public library to get their book?” While public libraries are essential, and good outreach programs from public libraries can increase summer reading for all children, those efforts may not get all kids to check out a dozen books every summer.

Parents (and teachers) are right to worry about whether students read during the summer. But assigning books is about the least effective strategy to achieve that goal. It is past time for schools to provide children with easy summer access to books they want to read.

Choosing Your Assignment

Elizabeth Birr Moje is a professor of education at the University of Michigan.

The question of how to prevent summer learning loss has plagued U.S. schools for years. There is no question that some level of skill is lost or diminished for a large number of children and youth over the summer months. In many cases, these skills are easily renewed as soon as students begin school again. But in some cases, the loss chips away at learning gains; this is particularly true for children and youth who find school learning difficult during the academic months as well.

Whether assigning vacation homework would help to diminish the effects of the summer learning loss is an open question, but an equally important set of questions revolves around what such “homework” would involve, how it would be “regulated” (i.e., would students choose or would they be forced to do homework?), and how it would be supported.

In general, we know that assignments that merely drill students on basic skills is less useful than homework that supports them in meaningful thinking and activity. Summer homework, in particular, needs to provide choice with guidance, be embedded in projects or activities that have a real purpose, connect students to networks that support making sense of the activities, and ensure that youth from all backgrounds and socioeconomic levels have equal opportunity to participate.

For example, if schools want to promote the maintenance of reading skills, then they should consider assigning reading lists that offer choices. Such lists should not only promote the reading of novels, but should include informational texts, short stories, poetry, newspaper and magazine articles and web blogs in both paper and digital forms.

Providing children and youth with guided choice reduces the likelihood that they will resent being forced to do the work over the summer months; encouraging wide reading prepares them for the reading demands of upper grades by building world and word knowledge.

Schools (or parents) should also build opportunities for students to discuss the readings, either through face-to-face or on-line discussions. Offering opportunities for discussion and even application of concepts can push students to read beyond their initial preferences as they offer texts to one another, thus diminishing the need to “force” students to read particular texts.

Without discussion, children and youth may complete assignments just to check them off the list, not really engaging with the ideas or learning new critical skills or knowledge.

Another possibility for summer homework is community service or work projects where students can learn new academic skills, and also practice those they have learned during the school year. Combining the use of these skills in meaningful social and workplace activity can be motivating for even young children. This kind of “homework” is more challenging to monitor, but the benefits to young people and communities are high.

Whatever the form of summer homework, it is only a good idea if efforts are made to make it meaningful, engaging, and accessible to all.

What Low Achievers Need

Tyrone Howard is an associate professor at the U.C.L.A. Graduate School of Education and Information Studies.

The utility of homework has been a sacred cow in many education circles for years. I think homework has become a practice that has continued on because it has been normalized in educational behavior. Homework should help to reinforce content or materials that teachers have taught or covered in class. But in many cases today, homework has been reduced to busy work that posseses minimal value in developing deeper understanding.

That said, assigning summer homework is a good idea in theory. Some researchers have documented that some students lose grasp of key reading and mathematical principles when they have not used them for a two to three month period.

A better approach than homework is to have more intensive, small learning community-type summer school programs that last four to six weeks.

But the issue becomes one of accountability and reinforcement of understanding. If teachers cannot get students to turn in homework during the school year, when they see them every day, what is the likelihood that they will get them to do it, and with accuracy, when they do not see them?

I do think that there is a need to reinforce key academic concepts and skills, especially for lower achievers, who tend to be students of color, and students from poor backgrounds. A better approach than homework over the summer is the more intensive, small learning community-type summer school programs that last four to six weeks. These programs allow students to have access to teachers in a smaller learning environment for three to four hours a day. The benefits, I believe, would be far greater than more mind-numbing homework.

Homework and Achievement

Harris Cooper offers more details about the link between homework and student achievement:

Homework’s effect on achievement is best gauged by experimental studies comparing students who are purposely assigned homework with students purposely assigned no homework but who are similar in other ways. The results of such studies suggest that homework can improve students’ scores on the class tests that come at the end of a topic. In five such studies, students assigned homework in 2nd grade did better on math, 3rd and 4th graders did better on English skills and vocabulary, 5th graders on social studies, 9th through 12th graders on American history, and 12th graders on Shakespeare.

Less authoritative are 12 studies that link naturally-occurring (not manipulated) amounts of homework to achievement. On the positive side, these studies used sophisticated statistical models to control for lots of other things that might influence the homework-achievement connection. The controlled factors have included the student’s ability level and family background and the teachers’ experience. These studies have the added advantage that they are often based on national samples and use measures of achievement such as grade point averages and standardized tests. They find a similar positive link between time on homework and achievement. But most of these studies were done with high school students.

Yet other studies simply correlated homework and achievement with no attempt to control for student differences. In 35 such studies, about 77 percent found the link between homework and achievement was positive. Most interesting though, these results suggested little or no relationship between time on homework and achievement for elementary school students. These inferior studies are at odds with the more trustworthy experimental studies mentioned above. But, if we assume that the experimental studies involved relatively short assignments, they do suggest too much homework for young kids might not be a good thing. (Too much homework might also not be good for adolescents but studies show assignments can be longer before reaching the point of diminishing returns.)

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When I was fourteen years old, I was working almost 60 hours a week. This is because, on top of the 40 hours of work we did at school, our teachers each assigned us one hour of homework per night. Four classes, times five days, equals another 20 hours of work.

I was conscientious enough to do this work; most of my fellow students blew it off, of necessity. If you were going to play a sport, or an instrument, or even have a social life, you had to. I barely had time after school to go for a quick run for fifteen minutes, and to wash the dishes after supper. That’s all I did, besides schoolwork.

This was not good for me or my fellow students. For the people who didn’t do the work, it taught that you could just blow off responsibilities. For me, it taught me that if I obeyed the teachers, I couldn’t play music, or a sport, or goof off at all after school.

I say: structure school so that the necessary work can go on during school hours. And for goodness sake, leave kids alone during the summer!!

In the summer children should be running and playing and swimming and camping and learning important interpersonal skills by creating activities of their own with their friends and sometimes peers who are not so friendly. They should go to the library and read as they please, IF they please. Travel to new places. Structured activities stifle creativity and stunt natural thought processes. Looking at the sky or a bug or a leaf or just day dreaming are not uselss activities. Time to wonder is VERY good for developing minds.

Think of all the inventors in our history who must have had time to wonder, “What if…?” Maybe Edison wanted to read into the night and the light of a candle wasn’t enough. Ben Franklin must have been curious about lightning. DaVinci must have been curious about everything. Children don’t have to have ALL their time regimented in order to become well educated. What is wrong with our society that we want to take the joy out of EVERYTHING?

No. Homework should NOT be assigned during the summer. But when it is assigned during the school year, I feel that discussions of homework should focus on the quality of the work instead of on the quantity or time limits set for it. For example, if homework was not graded and used only rarely and only when it really helped turn the kids onto learning, it could be a useful tool.

Too much homework that my own kids have done in the last ten years has been bland, non-creative, non-inspired, teacher-assigned busywork. Most of it seems to be about how well kids can follow the teacher’s directions, instead of how well kids can think for themselves. Is this really the best way to prepare our kids for the 21st century?

Check out my blog: East Bay Homework Blog – //eastbayhomework.blogspot.com/ and check out the film Race To Nowhere, //www.RacetoNowhere.com

The problem with summer homework is that there is little supervision or help. The children will do the works, but they’ll forget about them soon afterwards. If we really want to get serious about summer memory loss, we should send our kids to summer schools or tutoring.

I think it is more pertinent to ask what the purpose of such assignments is. If you are trying to inculcate a reading habit amongst these youngsters, you are a far way off. Burdening them with reading assignments is never going to work. This is particularly true of specified readings. I think it would be a better approach to let them set their own targets, of course after stipulating a bare minimum. Homework help at aafter.com

My answer to this question in general is NO. I am a rising junior at Bronx Science and I am dreading it. I have homework for three different classes. About 28 essays for AP US History , English assignments plus Research assignments as well. By going to this tough school, the school year is a pain in the glutens! i was hoping i would be able to relax and unwind my mind this summer by focusing on what I plan to do in the future but doing all these things inhibits my brain functions of thinking like a normal teenager. It is so sad teens who go to this school miss out on all the joy of being a teenager. It just sucks big time, I would rather write articles for the NYT criticizing anything in the world, besides doing summer homework!

I remember my days of school in India where the students would go to 4-6 hours of private tuitions everyday to try to finish their whole syllabus for the entire year BEFORE school even started just to get an edge.

So, if the US wants their kids to compete, assignments are hardly even enough ( bare minimum if you ask me)

Or you could just go on as always and hope for the best. The immigration policies have already made it impossible for International students with advanced degrees ( like me) to get jobs. Maybe that will protect American kids in the future too.

Yes, mandate summer homework if you want to train children to be available to their “job” every day, all day, even when they’re not compensated. (The new global economy!)

If I take a vacation, I expect to be on vacation. Children should have the same expectation of their free time. If educational theorists wish to create interesting, multi-sensory experiences (i.e,. camp, travel, nature walks) into the summer for a certain group of children, go to it. But, lay off the required summer reading lists, book reports, etc. It’s absurd. Children need more play opportunities, which will help them grow and mature, and give them a necessary break.

Nancy Kalish makes it seems like if kids have hw, they can’t go outside and have fun. There are 24 hrs in a day. It’s not like you would be spending 8 hrs a day doing summer hw. There is plenty of time for both. If you set aside 2 hrs a day for summer hw, that leaves the child 22 hrs to sleep, play and eat. I don’t see how those 2 hrs of hw would hurt the child.

I have taken summer school since I was in second grade. Every summer from June till 1.5 weeks before the new school year, I was in city summer school. I took two classes, one fun and one academic from 8am – 3pm. I do not know whether I would lose my math or reading skills over the summer since I was utilizing them year around. I am not good at math. If I didn’t take summer school, I am pretty sure that I would forget math pretty quickly. The subjects you don’t enjoy, you forget the fastest and the easiest.

I do not think that a math homework packet and doing 2-3 book reports during the summer for a third grader is unreasonable. The teacher could have a list of 50 books that the child could select from.

Children in American have 2.5 months of free time. 2.5 months to do 2-3 book reports and a math packet isn’t very much. The child procrastinating is the parent’s fault. It is up to the parent to make sure that the child is on track with his or her learning and homework. If you let your child wait until the last minute to do the homework, you are causing your child undue stress.

It is not a strange a idea to have the child set 1/2 – 1 hr a day to read. Maybe instead of video games or playing with the computer, the child could read a book.

Summer hw is done in other countries as well. In Japan, every kid has summer homework.

One size doesn’t fit all. Some kids may well benefit from summer homework, but others won’t. I expect that this would work best when the student has a role to play in selecting the assignment, or at least a choice from several alternatives.

Children can run , play and swim on the weekends. School should be 12 months a year. I think how different my life would have been if it hadn’t been for that 3 months of mostly inactivity with nothing to challenge the mind but countless rounds of gin rummy, and getting into trouble with the neighbor children. There can be JOY in learning. Nowadays, there is too much JOY in drugs, alcohol and trouble from neglect . Save our children, keep them in school.

Commenters ## 1 and 2 get it.

But the dramatic idea of Richard Allington, to give students a few books of their choice — any choice — sounds just right to me. If they take the books, it’s their lookout to read them or not. And since they have them right there, and chose them for themselves, they’re likely to read at least some. Without pressure. That’s what reading should be.

In many countries with higher achievements for children in school. The summer breaks are even longer. The method to fix education in the US today is not to make kids study all the time but to fix the US education system. Children need room to grow, by doing other things. Do we want happy kids or workaholics?

Summer homework and assigning things over breaks in general is a bad idea. My senior high always gave summer assignments which I of course procastinated on, so all summer I was stuck with the guilty feeling that I should be working on school work and parents who were happy to remind me. All this did was make summer less fun and strengthen my ability to ignor the “I should be working” feeling.

Kalish is spouting complete nonsense. She is a direct threat to American competitiveness, a living example of technological regression.

My son completed first grade in both Japanese and American schools. At the end of the first grade, the two curricula were even in mathematics. Then the American first graders had 3 months of nothing. The Japanese first graders had 6 weeks with daily maintenance homework. The American kids will never catch up.

You don’t need a Duke study to identify the source of the lag between the U.S. and Japan.

My son is now finishing the summer break of 4th grade in Japan. Over the last six weeks, he has completed about one hour a day in maintenance homework for mathematics and language. He has also completed two small projects, a one-page ‘newspaper’ and an art project, just enough to keep his hand warm. The projects were selected from a list of 100+ provided by the prefecture. For this list, the prefecture gathered the cooperation of fire departments, police departments, water departments, parks and museums to provide a selection of subjects. Most of the cooperating organizations will exhibit childrens’ projects during September.

And my son still has had plenty of time for TV, Legos, games, play at the childrens’ hall and travel – and to sing the Star Wars theme song, the Indiana Jones theme song, or any other ditty that comes to mind.

The above conversation either assumes or fosters the notion that a summer vacation is a given; a necessary recharging of the batteries; a time for play and socialization. I suggest that we rethink this long-standing and almost uniquely American tradion in light of our demonstrable educational distance behind so many other countries.

Now, I am not arguing that play and socialization are unimportant, but that we consider other ways of structuring our educational system that would allow for both play and continuous learning. I am not a professional educator, although I did a great deal of techincal teaching throughout my career, but my experience tells me that segmenting learning into distinct modules of extended, intense learning followed by extended, intense periods of play is not efficient. Education, like the learning it is intended to impart, should be an integral part of life. It should, among other things, develop a strong sense of its own value because it is a part of life, not just something to be done during rigidly specified times to satisfy rigidly specified requirements. All of life is about learning, whether from books or on the playground, and is a continual process.

Our education system should be year-round, with more, shorter breaks. I would argue that the same should be true of our work environment, but let’s leave that for another time. What I think is important, even crucial, is that learning be a continuous, integrated process – as it is in real life.

If summer vacations were not so long, kids wouldn’t need the additional homework over their breaks. The number of in class days per year keeps shrinking and it’s little wonder why other countries with longer, more continuous school years outshine our educational system.

Rather than having a long, continuous stretch of summer holidays, why not have school all year round, with more smaller breaks?

Joy can still be in learning–but often isn’t, in typical school assignments. My 8th-grade grandson (in a different state) will start school today (8/31) with his summer homework done–but only because a diligent parent worked with him and made the learning sessions –well, not necessarily fun, but reasonably enjoyable.

That said, there are often summer school enrichment opportunities -or chances for fun and learning through park district, YMCA, day camp, library events and well-planned reading programs with corresponding activities (my public library invites kids in on certain days to read to therapy dogs…reluctant readers often enjoy snuggling with a friendly pooch and reading aloud to the dog…

Unfortunately, too many parents are time-stressed and work stressed – if they haven’t lost jobs because of the economy – too many grandparents (like me) are at least 1000 miles away from their grandkids, or I’d help with the summer homework to make it fun and interesting… and well-meaning, well-intentioned parents who’d like to get involved just may not have the money to do the extras like museums, vacations, music lessons or group playing-instruments, or even, if appropriate and desired, vacation Bible school.

These things come with fees–and often, lack of public transportation. If it’s a choice between food on the table, often because a parent has a part-time or second job, and registering a child for a learning activity, I do understand why the homework or enrichment doesn’t happen.

I haven’t any answers – even taking a child to a nearby public park often requires time a working parent doesn’t have. That said, sometimes agencies have programs that parents can seek out and get their kids into–reasonably. For instance, my Chicago suburb’s community college offers Kid Zone enrichment things that are learning, but fun, for what in the suburbs seems a reasonable, modest price. Art activities, field trips, science stuff, music (“bucket band”) etc. Trained college and high school students are the leaders, supervised by adults, of course – but these give kids something more constructive–and, what’s best of all – FUN – during summer vacation.

Jan Bone, Palatine IL

Sometimes I wonder if school is just a way of breaking a person’s spirit in order to prepare them for a lifetime of desk work. I was raised in the 1960s, when kids had actual lives and were not sent to Japanese style cram schools, Kaplan prep, or hothoused in any way. During my free time, I ran, learned to balance on a 1 inch wide fence, collected sea creatures and put them in a bucket, dissected plants, stared deeply at bugs, learned to share my toys, played “war” and cowboys (no Indians, we all had six guns, even the girls), made clothes for Barbie, and learned to knit from a 70+ year old woman who told me about what brooklyn was like at the turn of the 20th century. Try to get that with some professionally trained “child development” type who wants to make sure your flow of social studies, whatever passes for math, or texts with pictures of plants and bugs.

This is simply more proof that a school schedule designed around a farming culture ( that we no longer practice) is ill equipped to support us in our current culture. The amount of knowledge necessary to succeed has gotten multitudes larger while the amount of class time available has increased only marginally. Summer assignments need be an option for children who are doing academically well, but a requirement for those who are not.

Kids aren’t reading enough? I must have missed those 1 mile midnight lines for 800 page Harry Potter books. However in the Dumbest Generations Author’s defense I’m sure the older generations used their summer time much more wisely than these idiotic spoiled children by spending every summer vacation day reading Tolstoy, going to math camps and volunteering at the local hospital.

Speaking of which kids aren’t proficent in math? Well maybe that means that they aren’t smart enough to come up with “fullproof” math equations that explain how the value of worthless securites are actually AAA bonds.

The kids today are alright. They are definitely harder working and more service oriented than my generation. Went back to college recently and thought it would be a breeze but the caliber of students being produced is alot better than it was just 15 years ago.

I wonder if time spent staring at the ceiling, sorting interesting colored pebbles on the beach, reading a few low-brow books and building tree houses provides something fundamental and invaluable to a child’s development? There is no denying that skills developed during the school year become ‘rusty’ and it would seem that the brain (certainly in the case of my children) re-wires and relegates unused skills into a fog. However, the summer break is a time during which a child is truly free of the formalized process in school in order to drift freely in his or her imagination. This stated, the television (and computer) should be left off and the child sent outdoors (it is summer afterall!). Looking at the responses of the ‘professionals’ in this column, it is clear that there is no consensus.

I think homework is way overdone. I think a ton of homework is mindless busy work that de-motivates poor students and is an unnecessary drain on motivated students.

I don’t care about scientific studies. If you look carefully at how most social research is designed, it is virtually always designed to get the results the study designers are looking for. A friend of mine did his PhD dissertation at the U. of MI, back in the early seventies, a quantitative, scientifically rigorous study of research dissertations — and proved that study designs heavily influence, and usually determined, results.

People who want to prove that homework is beneficial design, unconsciously, studies that will prove what they want to prove.

I am increasingly discouraged by the steady decline in education in this country. The challenge of poor performing students cannot be met only in the classroom. The quality of children’s lives outside of school is in steady decline. Americans work many more hours than Western Europeans, meaning parents spend less and less time with kids. The economy continues to drain the middle class, requiring both parents to work longer and longer hours. Kids end up passing their one precious life, their one precious childhood in front of televisions, online, tweeting and texting.

Kids — and parents — need meaningful quality time, with themselves, with their parents.

I’d like to see a study that compared what great academic student stars do in the summer compared to the kids whose math and reading skills atrophy in the summertime. I bet that study would prove that kids with a rich quality personal/family life do lots of educational things in the summer only they think they are just having fun.

I grew up in Chicago. Every week of every summer vacation while I was growing up, my dad took his kids and some of their friends on an outing in the city. My dad was very proud of all the wonderful institutions in a great city like Chicago and he seriously considered it part of his job as a parent to expose his children to everything. The only thing my dad didn’t care to do with us was take us to art museums . . . but my mom is an artist and she covered art. We didn’t just go to the science museum once in our childhood: we went several times a year. Plus the dinosaur museum. We went to the zoos countless times each year. Parks, amusement parks, the beach, the forest preserves that ring the city.

Not that many of the other kids in my neighborhood did stuff like this with their folks but, fortunately, in our Catholic Irish ghetto, most kids joined the boy or girl scouts and went on good outings that way.

What do parents do with their kids these days? It seems to me that parents don’t often spend lots of time just hanging out with their kids.

My kid and I had fun when we weeded the garden together. My kid and I had fun driving to the lumber yard and planning her new shelves, discussing the design, the measurements, getting her to participate. When we first went camping together, just me and my young daughter, as soon as she learned to read, I would have her navigate our way from the entry to the state park to our camp site. . . that was her first lesson in map-reading. Gradually, I encouraged her to plot all our routes, when we took interstate trips in the car, let her navigate the whole thing. The first time I took her to NYC, we flew there but then rented a car and she was very proud to be able to navigate us around that city.

I began to teach her how to count in the grocery store. If she wanted to buy apples, I began by saying “we will buy as many as you can count’. The first time we had a math lesson in produce, we only bought one apple. . . but then she immediately made sure she learned how to count higher so she could buy more apples.

I began to teach her how to reach in the grocery store, too. She was always begging me to buy stuff I didn’t want to buy. but then I thought of this trick: I would show her what the letter ‘C’ looked like, point her towards the breakfast cereals and promise to buy Cheerios if she could find a box where the product began with a ‘C’. This worked well for a long time. I say it worked because I never wanted to buy commercial cereal. Cheerios, which many parents consider one of the better, more healthy ones, is still loaded with sugar and cheap unnutritious carbs. It took her a long time to distinguish all the symbols and images on cereal boxes. But she figured out strawberry jam fast. The s was easy, the red jam was easy, the jars were low and easier for her to read.

I didn’t turn every minute of time with my kid into a lesson but pretty much every minute I spent with my kid was educational. I was always trying to think of ways to get her to pay attention, to get her to think about what she saw.

Actually, I used to be an art docent and the main goal for the tour program at my old art museum was, simply, to get the children to look closely, to try to see what really was on the canvas, to get them to see and think.

I made it a point to take my kid to a museum at least once a month. I also committed to taking her to an arts performance once a month. Cities are chock-a-block full of free arts experiences. Public concerts, theater in the parks. I know the economy is tighter these days, there are less free things. . . but the world is still stuffed with free or almost free great things to do with kids. There are always parks, free to walk in. Hills to climb. Neighborhoods to walk and observe. Bird watching is free.

In the third grade, Charlotte, a little girl in my daughter’s class had a very small birthday party. She was allowed to invite two other girls. The party? The girls went butterfly hunting with Charlotte’s mother and at the end, the girls had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and apple slices. That was the whole party.

Our whole society keeps trying to turn everything into metrics, worshiping the god of data. It is almost meaningless to discuss the value of summer homework if you aren’t going to discuss how children and their parents spend their summers. Our economy, which worships corporations and not humans, does not need all its citizens to be multi-dimensional, well-developed human beings seriously pursuing happiness. Our economy wants mindless wage slaves that pretty much act like cogs in the corporate machinery. Wool-gathering does not benefit the bottom line plus it is time most parents could be putting pins in widgets at the plant. Mindless wage slaves don’t become parents who have fun hanging out with their kids and exploring the world together.

If most kids spent their summers having close, loving, fun interactions with their families, their math and reading skills would not atrophy over the summer.

Let the children have summers free. It is a time when they can learn a lot of things that are not taught in the classroom. Family and friends relationships, exploring the world a bit without having to worry about tomorrow’s book report (in other words, reading a book for its own value, not in order to get a good grade).

Walking in the woods, or in the streets. Playing with the cats and dogs. Helping the folks with household work.

The so-called experts who evaluate “success” based on test grades are out of touch with reality. In my pre-collegiate school days, 1955 to 1967, there were many fellow students who weren’t stellar in their academic achievement levels. Yet more than a few of them have gone on to have interesting, productive, and successful lives. In some cases, very successful lives. Predicting success cannot be based just on GPA and SAT scores. Success is based on much more than the numbers.

What's Next

5 Books for 5th Graders to Read Over the Summer

Piqosity has curated this selection of five engaging books for 5th graders to read over the summer break to provide a resource for upper elementary students on the search for summer reading! Avoid summer learning loss — summer reading is vital for both maintaining and improving upon the reading skills students work so hard throughout the school year to build. No matter what their reading level is, this list is sure to have something for any fifth grader!

Novels for 5th Graders

The following engaging books for 5th graders to read over the summer are from a variety of genres and all deal with different themes and subject matter. 

1. The View from the Very Best House in Town , Meera Trehan

Newly released in 2022, The View from the Very Best House in Town by Meera Trehan explores the intricacies of friendship, ableism, and a mysterious mansion. This innovative read invites you into Asha and Sam’s friendship through alternating points of view; the book takes on Asha’s perspective, Sam’s perspective, and the personified perspective of Donnybrooke — the mansion atop the highest hill in the city, fervently admired by Asha. 

These best friends are both autistic, and their respective interests and personalities complement and enrich each other. Sam’s acceptance to a prestigious middle school forms a divide between them, and his newfound (and suspicious) friendship with Asha’s nemesis intensifies their struggle. The vivid personalities of these characters (including Donnybrooke) bring this story to life, securing its spot in this collection!

“You’re not supposed to be able to see any part of Donnybrooke—the most amazing house Asha has ever set foot in—from Sam’s backyard. But from up in Sam’s cherry tree, Asha spots a speck, black against the blue sky. Donnybrooke’s creepy weather vane. It’s the only bit of Donnybrooke she doesn’t love, assuming you don’t include the people who live there,” (Trehan, Chapter 1).

2. Before We Were Free , Julia Alvarez

Students with a higher reading and maturity level interested in or searching for an introduction to politics and historical fiction will devour this read. Be aware that it contains discussion of violence and rape, and Anita describes her physical experience of puberty. That being said, Before We Were Free will inform students about life under the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, and its themes will challenge their understanding of family, politics, adulthood, and freedom. Its informative, emotional depth and compelling story landed it on this list of books for 5th graders to read over the summer.

“Mrs. Brown leads Carla up the side of the classroom. I follow, afraid I’ll burst into tears if I catch anyone’s eye. I look up at the portrait of our Benefactor, El Jefe, which hangs above the classroom, his eyes watching over us. To his left hangs George Washington in his white wig, looking off into the distance. Perhaps he is homesick for his own country?” (Alvarez, Chapter 1).

3. Nightmares! , Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

Written by Kirsten Miller and actor Jason Segel, this cartoony, horror-filled experience is thematically abundant — readers will tackle ideas like grief, fear, mental illness, and devoted friendship. This first book in the Nightmares! trilogy is a mysterious, adventure-packed ride that even reluctant readers will be wary of putting down.

“I wouldn’t make fun of someone’s nightmares until you’ve slept a night in his pajamas,” (Segel and Miller).

4. Brown Girl Dreaming , Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson’s retelling of her youth living in, in her words, “A country caught / Between Black and White,” (Woodson, “february 12, 1963”) is vivid and enthralling for readers of all ages, and its style of poetry is accessible to all. Fifth graders will relate to the way the dreams, fears, sadnesses, and joys of starting to grow up are captured in these verses, all while learning from the differences between their lives and Woodson’s.

“It’s easier to make up stories / than it is to write them down. When I speak, / the words come pouring out of me. The story / wakes up and walks all over the room. Sits in a chair, / crosses one leg over the other, says, / Let me introduce myself . Then just starts going on and on,” (Woodson, “writing #1”).

5. The Secret Garden , Frances Hodgson Burnett

Mary’s story will resonate with fifth graders of various reading levels. She discovers the beauty in nature and power of independent thought, both of which involve life lessons fifth graders will take away. The Secret Garden is featured along with several other fifth grade level reads in our ELA course for 5th grade!

“She walked away, slowly thinking. She had begun to like the garden just as she had begun to like the robin and Dickon and Martha’s mother. She was beginning to like Martha, too. This seemed a good many people to like—when you were not used to liking,” (Burnett, chapter 7).

Improve Reading Comprehension with Piqosity

We hope you’ve enjoyed perusing our collection of books for 5th graders to read over the summer! It’s nearly mid-July, but students still have plenty of time left in the break for two or more of these reads. 

We provided this collection as a resource to propel fifth graders on their journey of reading. Whether you or your student is looking to strengthen their ELA knowledge to improve reading and writing skills for the fall, avoid test-taking anxiety , or simply build upon what was learned in the spring, Piqosity is here to help, too!

We offer affordable online courses that you or your child can take from the comfort and safety of their own home. Depending on your needs, our courses can be used for enrichment, remediation, or test prep. We offer the following ELA & test prep courses:

• Online 5th grade English  
• Online 6th grade English
• Online 7th grade English
• Online 8th grade English
• Online 9th grade English (coming soon!)
• Online 11th grade English
• Online SAT test prep
• Online ACT test prep
• Online ISEE test prep

Each ELA course comes with lessons covering all topics of ELA education, along with several units of reading passages, including nonfiction, short stories, and at least one full-length novel, paired with reading comprehension questions and answer explanations for each question. 

Our test prep courses each have several practice tests and tutorials that cover both ELA and Math content. Further, we provide the following extensive vocabulary flash card lists for all ISEE levels, perfect for test prep or vocabulary-building of any kind:

• ISEE Lower Level Vocabulary
• ISEE Middle Level Vocabulary
• ISEE Upper Level Vocabulary

We are constantly adding new courses and material! It’s free to register with Piqosity , and all of our full courses are reasonably and competitively priced.

Piqosity wishes you the best of luck on your vocabulary-building journey and hope this collection of books has helped and inspired you!

More Educational Resources by Piqosity: 

• 10 Books to Improve Vocabulary Acquisition
• Tried and True Tips for Virtual Learning  
• The Pros and Cons of Online After-School Programs
• Reduce Foreign Language Anxiety for Test Taking
• Time Management Skills for Students that Work

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Top Summer Reading List for 5th Grade

With summer just around the corner, many of us are starting to think of book lists for our students to help them avoid the summer slide . But what should our 5th graders be reading this summer?

We’ve chosen to highlight books that celebrate diversity and inclusivity, explore relevant social issues, and tackle the challenges that middle schoolers may face in their lives. While we would love for our students to read all the books on this list, we recommend letting students choose a few that pique their interest. Why? Because book choice is key to student agency and motivation.

Now, let’s get to the 5th-grade summer reading recommendations!

1. Measuring Up, Lily LaMotte & Ann Xu

Twelve-year-old Cici has just made a major life change – her family has moved to Seattle from Taiwan.  The only thing she wants more than to fit into her new life is to celebrate her grandmother’s 70th birthday. Since Cici’s grandmother is still in Taiwan, she hatches a plan to surprise her parents by winning the grand prize in a kids’ cooking contest to help pay for her grandmother’s ticket!

Cici navigates the blending of her Taiwanese culture and her new American identity with heart and bravery and author Lila LaMotte explores the minority experience as well as theme of identity, racial insensitivity and dealing with microaggressions. Artfully written, this book lends itself to being the jumping off point to discuss deeper issues like racism, anti-Asian sentiments, and inclusion. 

2. You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P.! by Alex Gino

Social justice is an increasingly relevant topic, and You Don’t Know Everything, Jilly P.! is an excellent introduction for 5th-grade students. Tackling big issues like deaf culture and white privilege, this book takes students on Jilly’s journey of discovering she doesn’t know everything, and how to learn from her mistakes to do better. This is definitely a book that will spark discussions on a variety of pertinent issues in a way that is relevant and relatable for students.

3. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This #1 New York Times Best Seller follows the story of 10-year old August Pullman, a normal boy in every way, except for his facial anomalies. As “Auggie” enters 5th grade in a mainstream school for the first time, he faces some of the same challenges that any 5th grader would face – making friends, fitting in, and being themselves. 5th graders are sure to see themselves reflected in the characters in this moving, engaging and heartwarming book. Bonus – The book has been adapted into a movie that students can enjoy alongside the book.

4. Old Enough to Save the Planet by Loll Kirby (Author), and Adelina Lirius (Illustrator)

Inspire your 5th graders to get involved in saving the Earth with this beautifully illustrated book. Featuring the stories of 12 young activists from around the world from New York to Australia, this non-fiction book highlights how even kids can do their part to address the climate crisis. The gorgeous illustrations are a lovely addition and will surely captivate even reluctant readers. 

5. This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work by Tiffany Jewell

Another great social justice book for middle school readers, This Book is Anti-Racist is sure to inspire the acitvist in our students. Presented in an accessible manner that meets students at their level, this book explores identity, history, taking action and responding to racism, and working in solidarity with others in four sections. Activities included at the end of each chapter also encourage students to get involved in doing anti-racist work – this is not a book for students who want to sit back and do nothing!

6. Siha Tooskin Knows the Strength of His Hair by Charlene & Wilson Bearhead

Starting at a new school is always hard – even more so when your new classmates don’t know much about your culture, values and history. In this captivating story, students learn more about Nakota culture through 11-year-old Siha Tooskin as he deals with challenges in fitting in at his new school. Bonus – If your students enjoyed this, they will surely love reading about more of Siha Tooskin’s adventures in the rest of the series.

7. Rainbow Revolutionaries: Fifty LGBTQ+ People Who Made History by Sarah Prager

Representation matters, and it is important to introduce our students to diversity and inclusion even in the books they read. In this groundbreaking publication, author Sarah Prager shines the spotlight on fifty people from the LGBTQ+ community who have made a difference in history. It is a great introduction to the accomplishments and achievements of LGBTQ+ people, and a way to help young readers understand more about their contributions to our community.

8. Community in Crisis, Read to Lead

We’re cheating (just a little) with this recommendation, but if your students are struggling to even pick up a book during summer, Community in Crisis could change their mind about reading. Designed to meet anchor standards and supports Lexile range for 5th grade, Community in Crisis is the second series on the Read to Lead game-based learning platform. By working through each game in the series, students read the equivalent of 5,000 words, and interact with a diverse array of characters. Game-based learning is also a great way to drive student interest, and motivation. Sign up for a free account and get your students started with their summer reading program.

Summer is the perfect time for students to explore a wide array of books, and being exposed to diverse books in middle school will help them expand their worldviews and open their minds. We hope that these multicultural books for kids that feature incredibly diverse viewpoints will inspire and engage them to keep reading during summer.

Know of a great book for 5th graders? We’d love to hear from you!

About Read to Lead

Read to Lead uses the power of game-based learning to empower middle school students to build literacy, life, and career skills. Teachers can sign up for a free account to get started!

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Read To Lead Is Out Sick: Here Are Some Great Substitute Programs

You may have heard that we’re closing our doors on December 31, 2022. We know we are leaving big shoes to fill in 2023. Where else can you find a program that builds literacy, life, career, and SEL skills, with engaging online learning games and comes complete with all the lesson plans, wrap-around curricula, project-based learning, and real-time data reports? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! As educators, we look out for each other - so we won’t leave you in the lurch. We’ve curated a list of our favorite resources you can tap into in the coming year. Check them out!

Review Games To Make Test Prep Fun

Testing prep time can feel like a chore and a real drag - not just to middle schoolers, but to teachers too! Why not switch it up? Turn test prep into a time that students enjoy while reviewing important topics and concepts by bringing an element of fun into your classroom! 

Top Books to Promote Anti-Bullying

October is Bullying Prevention Month and as such we wanted to share a few reading resources to help students feel seen no matter what they’re going through. 

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2024 Summer Games Reading Comprehension Passage and Questions 5th and 6th Grade

Description

2024 Summer Olympic games reading passage and comprehension questions for 5th and 6th grade includes information about the summer games and famous sites to see in Paris.

Packet includes

• Reading passage and comprehension questions
• Paragraph lines to assist students in locating some answers in the reading passage. (1 page passage)
• 7 reading comprehension questions
• Bonus ELA page categorizing proper nouns as person, place, or thing based on the reading passage.
• Answer keys

Assignment is perfect for 5th and 6th grade.

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Summer of STREAM Camp 2024 plans announced

Mar. 23—RIPLEY COUNTY — Genesis Pathways to Success, an initiative of the Ripley County Community Foundation, has announced that A Summer of STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) is returning this summer to bring the world of learning alive with excitement! Designed for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Southeastern Indiana, this program offers an array of STREAM-related camps during June and July.

From the depths of science to the heights of creativity, A Summer of STREAM strives to ignite passion and fuel curiosity with hands-on learning opportunities for students in Southeastern Indiana.

This year, 28 camps and activities will be available through A Summer of STREAM. From Photography in Nature Camp, where students view nature through a camera lens; DIY Woodworking Camp, where young carpenters craft their own masterpieces; and The Science Behind Cooking Camp, where budding chefs explore the fascinating chemistry of culinary arts, A Summer of STREAM has a camp for every student. A full list of our camp offerings and descriptions can be found online at www.genesisp2s.org/asummerofstream .

"We are thrilled to be offering more camps and activities than ever before this summer. With each camp and activity carefully crafted to inspire curiosity and foster essential skills, I am confident that this summer will be an amazing adventure for students. A Summer of STREAM provides an opportunity for students to develop vital soft skills such as adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking, and leadership," Genesis: Pathways to Success Director Clarice Patterson said. "None of this would be possible without our dedicated team of educators, volunteers, and sponsors whose commitment brings magic to every moment in our camps."

Registration for A Summer of STREAM opens at noon Monday, April 1, online at www.genesisp2s.org/asummerofstream . A limited number of spaces are available for each camp, and registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is open to all students in Southeastern Indiana.

Payment for camp is due at the time of registration and is being accepted online, over the phone, or via check. A limited number of camperships are also available per camp. A campership is available to assist parents/guardians who cannot afford to pay for the cost of a camp. A campership can be requested during the registration process.

Organizations who have helped make A Summer of STREAM possible include Baxter International Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation, First Financial Foundation, Indiana Department of Education, Ripley County Community Foundation, Tri Kappa (Delta Rho Kappa Kappa Kappa Chapter), Tyson Foundation and Versailles Lions Club.

To learn more about this year's summer camps or if you have any questions, contact Patterson by emailing [email protected] , calling 812-933-1098, or stopping by the office at 13 E. George Street, Suite B, Batesville.

About Genesis

Genesis: Pathways to Success is an initiative of the Ripley County Community Foundation that serves as a perpetual resource to support, expand, and enhance educational and economic opportunities for local communities. Genesis expands and enhances educational and economic opportunities that result in thriving communities.

Furthermore, Genesis is focused on developing critical workforce skills for students in Ripley County through innovative and creative STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, & Mathematics) activities that encourage students to apply curious minds and critical-thinking skills to real-world opportunities.

For additional information, visit www.genesisp2s.org .

— Information provided — Information provided

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