Summer Reading and Supplemental Work

With more than three months off for summer break, it is important to offer opportunities for your child to periodically review basic skills taught in the previous grade level. Here you will find helpful recommendations for summer enrichment.

Required Reading LIST

Rising 4th Grade

A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

Rising 5th Grade

Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times by Susan Wise Bauer

Rising 6th Grade

Story of the World Volume 2: The Middle Ages by Susan Wise Bauer

Rising 7th Grade

Story of the World Volume 3: The Early Modern Times by Susan Wise Bauer

RISING 8th GRADE

Story of the World Volume 4: The Modern Age by Susan Wise Bauer

RISING 9TH

Girls read: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Boys read: Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester†

† See also the Emmy Award winning A&E series Horatio Hornblower, starring Ioan Gruffudd

RISING 10TH

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

RISING 11th

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

RISING 12th GRADE

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

Summer Reading Challenge

Parnassus Preparatory Academy is pleased to announce the Summer Reading Challenge! This program provides a great way to encourage students to read throughout the summer. By helping your child foster a love for reading, you are helping them acquire language skills, develop critical thinking skills, and stimulate their imaginations. These foundational skills are some of the major components needed to be an accomplished reader later on in life as well as an eloquent writer and speaker.

Latin Summer Review

Success in a cumulative subject, like Latin, requires constant review. Most students forget quite a bit over the summer, so it is important to review with your Latin flashcards this summer. We have included a suggested schedule for flashcard review and also tips on how to review.

Summer Math Speed Drills

Spread these drills out over the summer to stay fresh on math facts. Record your times and scores on the top sheet provided, and give it to your teacher during the first week of class.

Rising 1 Summer Speed Drills | (KEY)

Rising 2 Summer Speed Drills | (KEY)

Rising 3 Summer Speed Drills | (KEY)

Rising 4 Summer Speed Drills (KEY included)

Rising 5 Summer Speed Drills (KEY included)

Rising 6 Summer Speed Drills (KEY included)

Rising 7/8 Summer Speed Drills (KEY included)

Penmanship

We recommend three days per week of summer penmanship practice.

To solidify the letter and number skills learned in kindergarten, rising first graders should use the Summer Manuscript workbook to reinforce mastery and ensure a smooth transition into first grade.

Students who have completed New American Cursive 1 should continue practicing cursive three days per week using the Summer Cursive workbook to maintain and strengthen their skills.

Older students are also encouraged to practice penmanship three days per week. This can be done using one of Memoria Press’ extra practice books or through meaningful writing, such as journaling or writing letters to teachers, classmates, or family members.

Students will begin third grade writing entirely in cursive. For new students who have not yet learned cursive, we recommend completing a New American Cursive Penmanship book over the summer.

Please encourage your student to write regularly and consistently over the summer, while focusing on the “3 P’s” — Proper posture, Pencil grip, and Paper position — and the “3 S’s” — Size, Slant, and Spacing.