School Life

Summer Work 2020

To view PBDA’s Summer 2020 work for your child – including summer reading, math, history and SSAT prep – please select the below tab that corresponds with the grade your child will be entering this Fall.

For all math workbooks, these serve as a review so please purchase the level of the grade just completed (Rising 4th Grade should purchase the 3rd Grade book, Rising 5th Grade should purchase the 4th Grade book, etc.)

Summer Work by Grade (’20’-21)

Rising 2nd Grade

Summer Reading: Students entering 2nd Grade are asked to read two books and complete a reading response activity for each book. Suggested activities and book recommendations for students entering Grade 2 can be found here.

Summer Math: Students will also complete a math workbook. Please order the Summer Math Skills Sharpener 1st Grade workbook. Completed assignments should be given to your child’s teachers during the first week of school.

Rising 3rd Grade

Summer Reading: Students entering 3rd Grade are asked to read two books and complete a reading response activity for each book. Suggested activities and book recommendations for students entering Grade 3 can be found here.

Summer Math: Students will also complete a math workbook. Please order the Summer Math Skills Sharpener 2nd Grade workbook. Completed assignments should be given to your child’s teachers during the first week of school.

Rising 4th Grade
Summer Reading: Students entering 4th Grade should explore all of the options in finding books that excite their interests and passions for reading. Students will read at least two books.  Selected books should be on or above grade level. After reading, students have one of two options:
Option 1: Write a one-page personal reflection (a sketch may be included). Personal reflection guidelines:
  • What about the book kept you reading?
  • Would you recommend this book? Why or why not
  • Is the plot exciting and unpredictable?
  • Is the book part of a series?
  • Did the story make you laugh while you were reading? Why?

Option 2: Write a book report using the PBDA approved Book Report format.

Summer Math: Math 4: Summer Math Skills Sharpener 3rd Grade

Rising 5th Grade
Summer Reading: Students entering 5th Grade should explore all of the options in finding books that excite their interests and passions for reading. Students will read at least two books.  Selected books should be on or above grade level. After reading, students have one of two options:
Option 1: Write a one-page personal reflection (a sketch may be included). Personal reflection guidelines:
  • What about the book kept you reading?
  • Would you recommend this book? Why or why not
  • Is the plot exciting and unpredictable?
  • Is the book part of a series?
  • Did the story make you laugh while you were reading? Why?

Option 2: Write a book report using the PBDA approved Book Report format.

Summer Math: Please click the below link for your student’s corresponding class.

Rising 6th Grade

Summer Reading: Here at PBDA, we are lifelong readers, and our goal is to foster a love of reading in all our students. Students entering grades 6-9 are asked to take the following pledge to guide their summer reading:

  • Read a book about a character who doesn’t look like me or live like me.
  • Read a book about a topic I don’t know much about.
  • Read a book in a format (or genre) that I don’t normally read for fun.

Visit a library, bookstore, or online bookseller and find book titles that interest you and meet these challenges. Read at least two books. Each selection should meet at least one of the above criteria. In September, we will share what we have read over the summer and respond through writing assignments in English class.

Summer History: Students entering Grade 6 are to read one of the following assigned books over the summer. Follow up/assessment of the book will be discussed in September in each of the history classes.  The required history selection is in addition to any selections for English.

  • The Children’s Homer, Padraic Colum
  • The Golden Gobltet, Eloise Jarvis McGraw

Summer Math: Please click the below link for your student’s corresponding class.

Rising 7th Grade

Summer Reading: Here at PBDA, we are lifelong readers, and our goal is to foster a love of reading in all our students. Students entering grades 6-9 are asked to take the following pledge to guide their summer reading:

  • Read a book about a character who doesn’t look like me or live like me.
  • Read a book about a topic I don’t know much about.
  • Read a book in a format (or genre) that I don’t normally read for fun.

Visit a library, bookstore, or online bookseller and find book titles that interest you and meet these challenges. Read at least two books. Each selection should meet at least one of the above criteria. In September, we will share what we have read over the summer and respond through writing assignments in English class.

Summer History: Students entering Grade 7 are to read Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson over the summer. Follow up/assessment of the book will be discussed in September in each of the history classes. The required history selection is in addition to any selections for English.

SSAT Summer Prep: All rising 7th grade students will purchase an SSAT review book. Students will read all instructional material regarding math and complete all math problems and practice tests in the book. Students will check answers with the answer keys provided in the book.

SSAT English: Students are encouraged to read the sections on test-taking strategies in the SSAT Verbal portion of the book: analogies, vocabulary, and reading strategies. Aim to complete at least one practice drill in each section. Students will have opportunities to complete additional practice and review strategies during class time in the fall.

Rising 8th Grade

Summer Reading: Here at PBDA, we are lifelong readers, and our goal is to foster a love of reading in all our students. Students entering grades 6-9 are asked to take the following pledge to guide their summer reading:

  • Read a book about a character who doesn’t look like me or live like me.
  • Read a book about a topic I don’t know much about.
  • Read a book in a format (or genre) that I don’t normally read for fun.

Visit a library, bookstore, or online bookseller and find book titles that interest you and meet these challenges. Read at least two books. Each selection should meet at least one of the above criteria. In September, we will share what we have read over the summer and respond through writing assignments in English class.

Summer History: Students entering Grade 8 are to read The Help by Kathryn Stockett over the summer. Follow up/assessment of the book will be discussed in September in each of the history classes. The required history selection is in addition to any selections for English.

SSAT Summer Prep: All rising 8th grade students will purchase an SSAT review book. Students will read all instructional material regarding math and complete all math problems and practice tests in the book. Students will check answers with the answer keys provided in the book.

SSAT English: Students are encouraged to read the sections on test-taking strategies in the SSAT Verbal portion of the book: analogies, vocabulary, and reading strategies. Aim to complete at least one practice drill in each section. Students will have opportunities to complete additional practice and review strategies during class time in the fall.

Rising 9th Grade

Summer Reading: Here at PBDA, we are lifelong readers, and our goal is to foster a love of reading in all our students. Students entering grades 6-9 are asked to take the following pledge to guide their summer reading:

  • Read a book about a character who doesn’t look like me or live like me.
  • Read a book about a topic I don’t know much about.
  • Read a book in a format (or genre) that I don’t normally read for fun.

Visit a library, bookstore, or online bookseller and find book titles that interest you and meet these challenges. Read at least two books. Each selection should meet at least one of the above criteria. In September, we will share what we have read over the summer and respond through writing assignments in English class.

Summer History: Students entering Grade 9 must read The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. Follow up/assessment of the book will be discussed in September in each of the history classes. The required history selection is in addition to any selections for English.

Summer Math: Students enrolled in the below classes will purchase the corresponding workbook.

SSAT Summer Prep: All rising 9th grade students enrolled in Algebra I will purchase an SSAT review book. Students will read all instructional material regarding math and complete all math problems and practice tests in the book. Students will check answers with the answer keys provided in the book.