Dear Lower School Parents,

Students in Lower School entering grades 1 through 5 are asked to read for enjoyment throughout the summer. On our website, you will find a list of suggested titles and authors that are age appropriate. Please keep in mind that children in any grade may be on a different reading level than their grade level. An easy test to determine the appropriateness of a book for your child is referred to as the "Five Finger Rule." Ask your child to read one page aloud and if more than five words are missed, the book is too hard. Your child will not benefit from reading a book that is too challenging. The act of reading will quickly become a chore rather than a discovery, and the frustration experienced will not help build skills, but rather impede their development in both reading and writing. A student's writing should be at the same level as their ability to read or decode words. It goes hand-in-hand.

Decoding words is an essential part of reading, but so is comprehension. More often than not, a child's level differs in these two areas; comprehension is usually higher. Therefore, it is also important for you to read aloud to your child. Find a topic that interests both of you or share one of your favorite childhood stories. Take advantage of traveling time to listen to an audio book appropriate for the whole family. Treasure this time with your children!

On some grade reading lists the teachers have listed books that should not be read over the summer because they will be read during the school year. If a novel is read in advance, your child misses out on the experience of learning from and with their peers in a group setting. Taking risks by making predictions about a story's plot, brainstorming about new vocabulary words, listening to others' points of view about a character's motives, and debating an author's intent are but a few of the opportunities teachers provide students during reading group discussion.

Besides the Upland website, reading lists will be forwarded to The Chester County Book Company, Borders, Toys & Tales, Barnes & Noble, the Hockessin Library and the Chester County Library network.

Have a pleasant summer and happy reading!

Sincerely,
Mary C. Ledger
Head of Lower School

this page last updated: 17-May-2010