Summer Reading & Math

Lower School Summer Family Bible Memorization Challenge

Our greatest desire is to partner with parents as you foster the spiritual formation in your own family. At Legacy, we stand on this truth; We hide God’s Word in our heart that we might not sin against Him. 

We would like to offer a Bible Memory challenge to all families this summer. If your family is interested, please work together to write Matthew 5:3-16 scripture on your heart by memory.  If the challenge is completed, your child will communicate this amazing news to their teacher as school starts in the Fall.

Matthew 5:3-16 (ESV)

3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 

4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

13 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep an open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Let’s Keep Growing and Stretching our Children!

Summer Reading enhances vocabulary, stretches the mind, strengthens reading skills, builds meaningful conversations, promotes the joy of reading and elevates the importance of lifelong learning. Our goal for summer reading is to connect families together and have quality conversations about books. When families model a consistent time for reading aloud, it helps move the child’s attitude towards a positive view of reading books.

Reading Recommendation for Family Read Alouds 

Lower School will be reading The Lemonade War  by Jacqueline Davies this summer.  It is available to purchase HERE or HERE.  Mrs. Constantinescu plans to read Chapter 1 during morning announcements to begin the reading.  

Guiding Questions to Strengthen Comprehension:

• Why was the lemonade stand started by the characters?
• What lesson did the characters learn about one another and themselves in the book?
• What was the most important lesson that was learned from the lemonade stand experience?
• What traits are helpful when starting a business?
• What did the characters learn about serving one another?
• Why do you think the author selected this title for the book?
• What does God reveal to us when we use the opportunities that He gives us?

As an extension read aloud, your family might be interested in the following book as well, Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid by Mikaila Ulmer to learn about a young entrepreneur who took an opportunity and courage to achieve a dream.  You may purchase the book HERE or HERE.

Guiding Questions to Strengthen Comprehension:

• What led Mikaila to want to learn more about bees?
• What traits did Mikaila show when she started her own business as a young girl?
• What ways did Mikaila show courage in her journey through starting a business?
• What lessons do you think that she is most proud of?
• What does God’s word tell us about courage?
• What are ways that you and your family members show courage?

Family Creativity Challenge- Ephesians 2:10

Thinking outside the box with a growth mindset …See His Creation as a place filled with “opportunities” to be creative, strategic problem solvers and ways to stretch ideas by using the imagination that God gave you. Your child will be given an “opportunity” box over the summer to house ideas or thoughts that lead to problem solving. As a family seek out ideas to serve and be problem solvers. Be sure to jot down your ideas and place them in the box. Think outside the box and stretch creativity to make an impact!

Possible Opportunities:

• Seek out a problem in your home or community to solve
• Host a small business (lemonade stand, car wash, etc)
• Teach your pet a new trick
• Make flyers to invite your neighbor to church

MATH ENRICHMENT

Summer Math enrichment enhances confidence with foundational concepts and equips children to be stronger problem solvers as they stretch their mathematical minds. Research shows that practice with fact fluency and math skills is critical to math performance and achievement at all levels.

Meaningful Ways to Enrich Math Skills

• Practice math fact fluency  (Grades 1-2: addition, subtraction; Grades 3-4: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)
• Build number sense by skip counting, finding number patterns, comparing numbers, and playing family games that involve numbers
• Practice solving operation sentences (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) using white boards and fun tools at home
• Practice solving math concepts in word problem form
• Practice telling time when looking at routines and schedules
• Practice fractions by inviting your child to help you cook
• Practice skills with coins/money by discussing the value of the coins/dollars while shopping together as well as being good stewards of our blessings
• Build geometry sense by looking at God’s Creation and finding geometric patterns

MATH RECOMMENDATIONS

The Middle School Math Department recommends continued engagement with math practice over the summer to strengthen and retain math skills. There is no specific requirement for math practice over the summer, but we recommend IXL and Khan Academy as quality resources that can be used to support math retention and skill development through their online platforms. We have seen tremendous growth for those that use these programs during the summer months. 

Most of your students already have a school IXL account that will remain active over the summer. If they are not aware of their account credentials or do not have an account already set up, please reach out to kelly.carter@legacyca.com to request account information. Khan Academy is a free resource with accounts that can be created and tied to a parent/guardian email account. Both IXL and Khan Academy have programs and activities geared towards readiness for the upcoming grade level. Links to access these resources are listed below: 

Khan Academy: Summer Get Ready Courses

IXL: Summer Skill Boost Skill Plans

Reading RECOMMENDATIONS

The desire we have for our students is simple: for them to fall in love with reading. We see continued reading as essential in both the development and advancement of our students. Studies show that daily reading offers students several benefits. It improves concentration and memory, critical thinking, vocabulary and language skills, and written expression. Because reading comprehension is a cross-curricular skill, it also yields higher achievement in all school subjects and helps students better deal with increasing demands of schoolwork as they continue their education. Finally, students who read regularly develop empathy for others, learn about the world beyond themselves, become life-long learners, and have a productive way to deal with stress. 

To help students develop these important skills, the LCA English Department encourages students to read at least two books of their choosing over their summer break. Below are summer reading recommendations that have been selected based on their value and connection to the texts and themes in the upcoming year, but students are not restricted to choosing books only from this list.

Parents, we ask that you help your child with his or her reading goals by encouraging them in their reading as well as sharing books that you have read or would like to read, letting them see you reading for pleasure, or choosing a book you can read and discuss together as a family. Creating a family reading culture will positively impact your child’s learning, deepen family relationships, and forge impactful memories. We also encourage you to be aware of the reading choices your student is making to ensure they coincide with your family values. Plugged In, Redeemed Reader, and Common Sense Media are digital resources that include a plot summary, content evaluation considerations, overall reviews, and valuable discussion topics that we recommend to support you and your student in choosing and engaging with new books. 

We hope you and your student both enjoy a great summer of reading!

5th Grade Recommendations

1. The Cooper Kid Series by Frank Peretti

6th Grade Recommendations

1. Wonder by RJ Palacio 
2. The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

5th & 6th Grade Spanish Immersion Recommendations: The Chronicles of Narnia series

1. El caballo y el muchacho
2. La travesía del viajero del alba
3. La silla de plata
4. El sobrino del mago
5. El príncipe Caspian
6. La última batalla

7th Grade Recommendations

1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
2. White Fang by Jack London

8th Grade Recommendations

1. Little Women by Louis May Alcott OR Little Men by Louis May Alcott
2. The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan