Saint John Academy Summer Reading
For Rising 3rd Graders
Greetings, Parents and Students
The books, stories and poems have been carefully selected to foster an enjoyable and thoughtful reading experience. Enjoy this special time with your child. These assignments are meant to be enriching and meaningful.
Be sure to balance the assignments with lots of fun, enjoyable time outside with family and friends.
Best to you and your family,
Mrs. Karen Tessier
Assistant Headmaster
Saint John Academy
Core Elements of Summer Reading for Rising 3rd Graders
- You will need a good writing journal (of strong construction)...something that will last.
- Required reading includes Mary by Tomie DePaola and your choice of one of the following by Tomie DePaola: Francis, The Poor Man of Assisi, The Clown of God and Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland.
- From the reading list below, choose 2 to read.
- Draw a picture of something interesting from each of the two books you choose from the reading list below. First sketch the picture in pencil and then color.
- Write 1 paragraph (3-5 sentences) in your journal describing each picture (pictures may be drawn and placed inside your journal if you would like).
Under the Lilacs- Louisa May Alcott
The King’s Chessboard- David Birch
Caddie Woodlawn- Carol Ryrie Brink
The Pied Piper of Hamelin- Robert Browning
The Secret Garden- Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Little Lame Prince- Dinah Craik
The Courage of Sarah Noble- Alice Dalgliesh
Black Gold- Marguerite Henry
Born to Trot- Marguerite Henry
Brighty of the Grand Canyon- Marguerite Henry
Justin Morgan Had a Horse- Marguerite Henry
King of the Wind- Marguerite Henry
Mustang: Wild Spirit of the West- Marguerite Henry
The Jungle Book- Rudyard Kipling
Pyramid- David Macaulay
Sarah, Plain and Tall- Patricia MacLachlan
The Borrowers- Mary Norton
The Trumpet of the Swan- E.B. White
Little House in the Big Woods- Laura Ingalls Wilder
Farmer Boy- Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little House on the Prairie- Laura Ingalls Wilder
On the Banks of Plum Creek- Laura Ingalls Wilder
By the Shores of Silver Lake- Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Long Winter- Laura Ingalls Wilder
Little Town on the Prairie- Laura Ingalls Wilder
These Happy Golden Years- Laura Ingalls Wilder
Henry and Mudge series, Cynthia Rylant
Boxcar Children series, Gertrude Chandler Warner
Amelia Bedelia stories, Peggy Parish
Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Beverly Cleary
Mr. Popper's Penguins, Richard Atwater
Encyclopedia Brown, Boy Detective, Donald Sobol
Stuart Little, E.B. White
Charlotte's Web, E.B. White
- Read all four recommended poems, copy one in your journal and memorize, reciting it at home (at the dinner table or some other spontaneous moment). This will also be recited at school.
"Be Strong" by M.D. Babcock
"George Washington" by Stephen and Rosemary Benet
"Jim" by Hilaire Belloc
"The Arrow and the Song" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Aesop's Fables
- Choose three Aesop's Fables to read, no writing required.
The Fox and the Grapes
The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs
The Mice in Council
The Lion and the Mouse
The North Wind and the Sun
The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Boy and the Wolf
The Hare and the Tortoise
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
The Grasshopper and the Ants
- Read the Annunciation in the Gospel (or have it read to you): Luke 1: 5-38
- Imagine you are at the scene of the Annunciation--as a bird,or insect, or a friend quietly observing.
- Describe some moment from the Annunciation scene and tell it like a story in 1-2 paragraph(s), beginning with the mysterious and surprising moment when the Angel appears and speaks.
- Some things to think about (but not write about): What would the angel look like? Was he frightening but also comforting? Why was Mary afraid, but also calm? What risks did she have to take if she said yes? How was Mary's reaction to the strange and wonderful message different from the reaction by Zachary to the message he received?
Please examine Henry Ossawa Tanner’s Annunciation painting to help you enter into that moment. (see below)
- Suggestion, pray this joyful mystery of the rosary at least once a week. Before you pray it, pause for a few moments, be still and imagine the scene of the Annunciation as if you were there, perhaps also imagining how Mary felt at that moment.