Friday, June 21, 2013

Summer Reading Programs

Dear Third Graders,
Have you been enjoying your summer?  Have you been reading some great books?  Summer is my favorite time of year to read.  I tote my book with me everywhere and read whenever I get a spare moment.  I also love to find a shady spot outside and wile away the afternoon with a great book.  Have you signed up for the summer reading program at the library yet?  My boys have been working their way through the Richland Summer Reading program packet and have already picked out their first prizes!  I have been reading some great books that I can't wait to introduce you to in class.  If you need some suggestions to get you reading, my son Carl has been devouring the Dragon Slayers Academy series by Kate McMullan.  These are very quick reads, appealing to boys, about a boy who goes to school to learn how to be a dragon slayer.  There are at least 15 books in the series so if you're the type of reader who really loves getting to know characters and hates it when a book ends, this is a great series for you.  A book I just finished that I think girls in particular would love is Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary.  Ramona is very excited to be starting third grade, but big changes are happening in her family.  Ramona's dad has gone back to school, Ramona's sister Beezus is going to junior high, and Ramona has to be taken care of after school by a neighbor who makes her play nicely with the most bossy 4 year old ever.  Ramona is a very lovable character, and I found myself laughing at the situations she gets herself into.  

Even though summer has just started, I'm looking forward to getting back into our classroom in a few weeks and getting everything ready for us to go back to school.  In between now and then, the boys and I will be going to Hawaii to visit my parents, and Mr. G and I will be traveling to California for a little vacation.  I can't wait to meet you all during home visits in August.  In the meantime, enjoy your summer and don't forget to READ!  :)

Love,
Mrs. G