June 2017 Dear Incoming 4 th Graders, I am so excited to be working with you for the next school year. I know we are going to have a great time getting to know each other and learning many new things. In order to keep our minds sharp and ready for an eventful school year, you will be completing a summer reading assignment. Reading is a lifelong skill that needs to be nurtured and practiced regularly. What better way to do this than to enjoy a few great books during summer vacation! This summer you will be reading two fun classics, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl and Mr. Popper s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater. For each book you will complete an assignment that includes general information about each novel and vocabulary. Once we return to school in August, you will create a diorama depicting your favorite scene from James and the Giant Peach. We will also spend the first few weeks of 4 th grade studying penguins and complete a project in class relating to Mr. Popper s Penguins. In conjunction with reading this novel, you are asked to perform some basic research on penguins. You may use books or the Internet. You are also encouraged to visit the library and/or penguin exhibit at Sea World to gather your research. Your Reading assignment and Emperor Penguin research are due on the first day of school, Tuesday, August 22. I look forward to meeting all of you in August. I wish you and your families a restful and well-read summer. Sincerely, Mrs. Paquette
Name: James and the Giant Peach By Roald Dahl (You must answer in complete sentences.) Main Characters: Story Setting: Main Events: Story Conclusion: Did you like this book? Why or why not?
James and the Giant Peach Vocabulary Find each word as you read. The chapter where each word is located has been included. Record the page number and write the definition that best fits the story. If you run out of room on this page, write the word and remaining definition on the back of this sheet. Word Page # Dictionary Definition that best fits this story vast Ch. 1 dainty Ch. 2 luminous Ch. 3 seething (seethe) insidiously (insidious) Ch. 8 Ch. 14 pandemonium Ch. 19 clambered (clamber) teeming (teem) Ch. 23 Ch. 23 ` rambunctious Ch. 24 gape Ch. 37
Mr. Popper s Penguins By Richard and Florence Atwater (You must answer in complete sentences.) Main Characters: Story Setting: Main Events: Story Conclusion: Did you like this book? Why or why not?
Mr. Popper s Penguins Vocabulary Find each word as you read. The chapter where each word is located has been included. Record the page number and write the definition that best fits the story. If you run out of room on this page, write the word and remaining definition on the back of this sheet. Word Page # Dictionary Definition that best fits this story meekly Ch. 3 (meek) debris Ch. 3 solemnly (solemn) indignantly (indignant) Ch. 4 Ch. 5 rookery Ch. 7 bystander Ch. 8 lather Ch. 9 droll Ch. 12 shrill Ch. 17 haggard Ch. 20
Emperor Penguin Research Physical Characteristics What do Emperor Penguins look like? Do Emperor Penguins have any special features to help them survive in their climate? Habitat: Describe the environment in which the Emperor Penguins live. Weather: Their Home: Do Emperor Penguins have any predators?
Diet What do Emperor Penguins eat? How do Emperor Penguins find or catch their food? Life Cycle Emperor Penguins hatch from eggs. Who cares for the egg? What stages do Emperor Penguins go through from birth to adult? What happens once the penguin chick hatches? Some websites to consider: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/emperor-penguin/ - emperor-penguingroup-snow.jpg http://www.animalfactguide.com/animal-facts/emperor-penguin/ http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/penguins/facts.htm