Welcome Back to School

Congratulations!  You found my teaching blog.  We will use this blog throughout the year for educational purposes.  Your first task is to leave me a comment so that I know you found me.

Check out ideas for books you should read during your free time.

Congratulations to all of my students who completed the Summer Reading Challenge!  I'll get you your certificates this week.  If you have left the school, you should email me your new address.

Reading Lists for 5th Grade

Some of your parents have been asking for a book list for 5th graders.  Check out this list.  The link to it will be posted on the side of this blog for the remainder of this school year.

4th and 5th Grade Book Lists

I hope everyone is enjoying their first day of vacation.  I want to encourage everybody to read as much as possible during your time off.  Several parents asked me to post book lists for students.  Check out these lists or branch out on your own.

San Jose Public Library -- 4th grade -- 5th grade
Great Schools book lists -- 4th grade -- 5th grade
Barnes and Noble book list ages 9 to 12
Try this list of classics.

Whatever you decide to read, challenge yourself and enjoy!  (Don't forget to turn off the TV.)

How is your Summer Reading Challenge going?

How many books have you read this summer?  If you haven't signed up yet, it's not too late.  Just leave me a comment on this post and then update me when you finish books this summer.

Do you need some good ideas?  Here are some of my favorite books that I think every kid should read at least once:

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
The BFG by Roald Dahl
White Fang by Jack London
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

If you have any other suggestions, please leave them as a comment on this post. 

(Check out your Summer Reading Challenge status here.  See what others have shared on previous Summer Reading Challenge posts.)

Announcing the SUMMER READING CHALLENGE!!!

I challenge all of my current, former, and future students to read at least 5 good chapter books this summer.  Are you wondering what you should read?
5th grade summer reading list
5th grade book list -- San Jose Public Library
6th grade summer reading list
6th grade book list -- San Jose Public Library

Leave me a comment so that I know what you are reading.  I might even recommend your book on this website.

As you are completing this challenge, let me know by leaving comments.  I will keep track of the number of books you have read on this link.  If you complete (or better yet, eclipse this challenge) I will try to get you recognized by the principal in the fall.  Happy reading!!!