Name: _____________________________ Fourth Grade Teacher: ________________________Bridge the Gap

Summer Activity WorkbookFourth Grade

Dear Families,

The PTO is very pleased to be able to offer our “Bridge the Gap” workbook to every child at Parr’s Ridge and Mt. Airy Elementary Schools. It has been designed by the Mt. Airy Elementary teachers to help your child prepare for the types of activities and learning experiences that Fourth Grade will present. Additional parent resources have also been provided at the end of this packet.

Research shows that most students lose about two months’ worth of skills during the summer months. You can help stop this from happening! Attached to this letter are review activities for June, July, and August. For each week there are five math and five language arts questions, problems, or activities for your child to do at home that will help to review the concepts covered during the school year. These concepts will be built upon as your child enters the next grade level. It is suggested by your child’s teacher that your child works each day to review and talk about the concepts with a family member. Encourage your child to explain to you what they know and to show their thinking by using words, numbers, and pictures.

This year the ELA texts, questions, resources, and links to websites will be shared in the electronic Bridge the Gap document. This document will be e-mailed to you. Please feel free to print out the texts, questions, and resources as needed. You could also have your child read the texts and questions on the computer and write his/her answers on a separate sheet of paper. If you are ever unable to access a computer to complete Friday’s activity, you may read for twenty minutes instead.

Please initial each block on the Bridge the Gap chart as your child completes each task. Your initials will indicate that your child not only did the task, but that you also talked about it together and/or looked at their work to see that they solved it correctly. Your child is encouraged to return the chart to his or her new teacher by the second week of school with all of the activities initialed. All students that turn in his/her completed Bridge the Gap chart will receive special recognition.

We would like to mention that this activity, like many others at Parr's Ridge and Mt. Airy Elementary, is completely sponsored by YOUR PTO. Enjoy this activity workbook, and we hope your child will be excited about a new school year.

Thank you,

Your MAES-Parr’s PTO

Fourth Grade Social Studies Units: Geography

Maryland’s Past Maryland’s Present

Fourth Grade Science Units: Adaptations

Physical Science Water quality

Practice your skills using the following websites:Math: Continue to practice math facts and other math skills

o https://firstinmath.com Your child will enter their User ID and password from the 2016-17 school year to login.

Typing: o https://www.typingclub.com/ o https://www.symbaloo.com/embed/typing60 ?

Reading, grammar, phonics through ConnectED:o https://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do Your child’s username and password are BOTH your

child’s active directory login followed by a cc. For example, if your child’s login is EMB1234, his/her ConnectED username AND password will be emb1234cc.

o How-to guides for accessing ConnectED: https://www.carrollk12.org/instruction/curriculum/elementary/ila/students/Pages/Reading.aspx

o Notes: o ConnectED access will continue until August 15th.

o After clicking on the picture of the student book, access leveled readers and games by clicking on “Resources.”

Work Work (Phonics, High Frequency Words, Spelling, Vocabulary, and Grammar) o https://www.carrollk12.org/instruction/curriculum/elementary/ila/students/Pages/

WordWork.aspx Recommended Reading Lists

o http://kids.carr.org/learning/readinglist.asp o https://www.carrollk12.org/instruction/curriculum/elementary/ila/parents/Pages/

HowToHelpYourReader.aspx

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week1

Creative writing: Write a story about what it would be like to live in this house.

Read This is Not My Cat. Answer the questions by referring back to the text.

Reread This is Not My Cat. Answer the following question:Is Princess likely to disappear again? Explain why or why not, using evidence from the text.

Write a paragraph about how the story would have been different if Aggie would not have found her cat. Be sure to include an introduction, 3 details and a conclusion. Use the High Frequency word list to help with spelling.

Time to practice your keyboarding skills!!!!

Choose a website to practice typing.

Typing club

Other games

A rectangular room is 7 feet by 21 feet. What is the perimeter measurement of the room?

Swim team practice starts at 9:15 am and lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes. What time does practice end?

There were 674 people at the sand castle contest this year, which was 129 fewer than last year. How many people were at the contest last year?

Draw a picture to represent and solve:

40 x 7 = _____

Your family orders a pizza cut into 6 equal slices. Write the unit fraction that represents one of the slices.

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week2

Create a list of 5 words for each part of speech listed below:

Nouns:

Verbs:

Read The Noisiest Cat. Answer the questions by referring back to the text.

Reread The Noisiest Cat. Answer the following question:Think about Melissa’s actions towards Roger. What would you have done in this situation?

Write a paragraph about how the story would have been different if Melissa would not have let Roger back in.

Log onto ConnectEd. Select a book to read for enjoyment and play a game.

Compare using >, <, or =.

3 x 8 ____ 6 + 19

What number does “n” represent?

n x 8 = 40

Draw an array to find the product of 6 x 9.

Draw two different quadrilaterals. How are they the same and different?

What is the standard form of this number?

4,000 + 60 + 9

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week3

Creative writing: Write a paragraph describing how you would feel if you were riding this

roller coaster.

Reread This is Not My Cat and The Noisiest Cat. Make a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the two stories.

Practice spelling sight words.

Practice finding closed syllable words and vowel consonant e words in both texts you read this week.Make a list of the words you found.

Log onto a word work game on the computer. Spend some time on working on phonics, high frequency word, spelling, grammar, and/or vocabulary.

What multiplication sentences can be solved using this array?

* * * * * * ** * * * * * ** * * * * * *

Is this equation true or false?

1,114 = 476 + 538

If it is false, provide a correct sum.

Write as many multiplication and division sentences as you can for 7, 5 and 35. Each number can only be used once.

There were 3,495 people that went to see the fireworks display. Write this number in expanded form.

Round 123 to the nearest ten. Draw a number line to explain your thinking.

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week4

Creative Writing:Imagine you are hiking through the Amazon Rainforest. What would you see there? Write a descriptive paragraph telling about your adventure.

Read Trouble in the Amazon. Answer the questions referring back to the text for your answers.

Reread Trouble in the Amazon. Answer the following question:What is one important way in which the Amazon rainforest helps people?

Read this sentence from the text:Each year, farmers and loggers cut down rain forest trees to make room for farms, homes, and roads.What does the word loggers mean?

Time to practice your keyboarding skills!!!!

Choose a website to practice typing.

Typing club

Other games

There are 28 people waiting to ride on the Twirly Tea Cup. If each car holds 4 people, how many cars would be filled?

What multiplication expressions have a product of 18?

When is your birthday?

____________________Figure out how many more days until your

NEXT birthday!

Compare using >, <, or =.

10 5------------------ ------------------

8 8

Prove your thinking with a model.

Find the missing addend:

25 + _____ = 57

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week5

Creative writing: Imagine you just found

this zipper on the sidewalk and you decide to open it. Where would it lead you? Tell a story

about your adventure.

Read Coral Reef Goes Digital. Answer the questions referring back to the text for your answers.

Reread Coral Reef Goes Digital. Answer the following question: Summarize how scientists are trying to save coral reefs.

How do the text features in this article help the reader understand the information in the text?

Log onto ConnectEd. Select a book to read for enjoyment and play a game.

Write down the multiplication facts for 4’s and 8’s. What pattern do you notice with the products?

Amy baked 4 batches of cookies. Each batch had 18 cookies. She took 18 cookies to school. How many cookies did Amy leave home?

How many quadrilaterals are in the figure below?

Subtract:

970 – 452 = _____

If a rectangle has an area of 12 sq. in. what could be the measurement of the sides?

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week6

Creative writing:How did this truck end up in the tree? Write a creative story telling what happened.

Reread Trouble in the Amazon and Coral Reef goes Digital. Create a T chart to show the similarities of what coral reefs and the Amazon rainforest have in common.

Practice spelling sight words

Practice finding open syllable words and final consonant le words in both texts you read this week.Make a list of the words you found.

Log onto a word work game on the computer. Spend some time on working on phonics, high frequency word, spelling, grammar, and/or vocabulary.

What is the value of the n?

85 – n = 60

Divide.24 ÷ 8 = _____

21 ÷ 3 = _____

16 ÷ 4 = _____

36 ÷ 9 = _____

Find the sum.

327 + 493 = ____

Draw a number line to prove:

1 4------------------ ------------------

2 8

Which symbol makes this number sentence true? >, <, or =

18 3 ____ 2 x 3=

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week7

Creative writing: Imagine you are on vacation and

decided to explore the coral reefs. What would you see?

Write a descriptive paragraph telling about

adventure.

Read Fleeing Goma: Eruption in the Congo. Answer the questions by referring back to the text.

Reread Fleeing Goma: Eruption in the Congo. Answer the following question:One of the survivors described Goma as a “ghost town.” What does that mean? Explain using text evidence.

How did the volcano’s eruption affect people in Goma? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Time to practice your keyboarding skills!!!!

Choose a website to practice typing.

Typing club

Other games

Estimate the length of an object to the nearest half-inch. Measure the actual length to the nearest half-inch.

What fraction represents the unshaded part?

Sunset Beach is 542 miles away. The Crabb family drove 176 miles before stopping for gas. How many more miles before they get to the beach?

4 x (2 x 5) = (2 x 4) x 5

Explain to a family member how you know if this equation is true or false.

Michele played tennis for 45 minutes. Marcy played from 2:20 – 3:10 pm. Who played tennis longer?

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week8

Creative writing: What happened to cause the girl to fall through the ceiling? Write a

story to tell what happened.

Read Eruption. Answer the questions by referring back to the text.

Reread Eruption. Answer the following question:What did officials do to make sure people would not be in danger from a large eruption? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Reread Eruption. Answer the following question: Based on the passage, why might it be important to track the activities of volcanoes over long periods of time? Use information from the text to support your answer.

Log onto ConnectEd. Select a book to read for enjoyment and play a game.

Cindy has painted one side of a square picture frame. What fraction represents the amount of the frame that still needs to be painted?

Multiply.6 x 3 = _____

4 x 7 = _____

8 x 6 = _____

5 x 9 = _____

Draw a model to

represent .

Circle all the equations that are TRUE.

a. 3 x 4 = 6 x 3b. 24 ÷ 4 = 30 ÷ 5 c. 35 + 40 = 58 - 32 d. 200 – 198 = 1 x 2

What might be the measurements of the sides of a rectangular game table with a perimeter of 14 ft?

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week 9

Creative writing:Write a paragraph from the dog’s perspective explaining why you made this mess.

Reread Fleeing Goma: Eruption in the Congo and Eruption. Answer the following question:If the Colima volcano erupts, would the eruption be likely to affect people in Colima? Explain why or why not using evidence from both articles.

Practice spelling sight words

Practice finding r-controlled words and vowel teams in both texts you read this week.Make a list of the words you found.

Log onto a word work game on the computer. Spend some time on working on phonics, high frequency word, spelling, grammar, and/or vocabulary.

Write a division story problem using the numbers 6, 4, and 24. Share your story problem with a friend or family member.

Your family bought a sub sandwich and cut it into 8 equal parts. Three pieces were not eaten. Write the fraction that represents how much of the sub was eaten.

Practice your multiplication facts.

Use flash cards, a game, or First in Math.

Select all of the numbers that can be rounded to 700 when rounded to the nearest hundred.

a. 614 b. 673c. 711d. 684

Haley hula-hooped for 30 minutes. She stopped at 1:55 pm. What time did she start?

Fourth Grade Bridge the Gap

Week 10

Creative writing:Why is the cat taking a bubble bath in the sink? Write a creative story about the cat.

Read the poem, No Flying Allowed. Think of another appropriate title for this poem.

Read the poem, What to Feed a Dragon. What is the author’s purpose for writing this poem?

Read the poem, Say Cheese! What is the author’s opinion of having his picture taken?

Make sure that your full name and Fifth Grade teacher’s name are on the first page.Time to practice your keyboarding skills!!!!

Choose a website to practice typing.

Typing club

Other games

The school ordered 8 boxes of new books. There are 40 books in each box. How many books were ordered?

A square patio has an area of 36 square feet. What is the length of each side?

Compare:

and Explain your reasoning to a family member or friend using what you know about unit fractions.

What multiplication number sentence could be used to solve

3 + 3 + 3 + 3?

Tuesday is the 1st day of school! If you go to bed at 8:30 pm on Monday night and sleep for 10 ½ hours. What time will you wake up for school?

Sight WordsPractice spelling Fry words 1-500.

Spell the words using a variety of materials, such as sand trays, wiki sticks, pipe cleaners, felt, magnetic letters.

Spell the words using skywriting or shaping their bodies to form each letter. Spell multiple times with different colored pens to create rainbow words. Jump rope, punch, dribble a ball, etc. to each letter of the word. Tap out each letter with your fingers or with your hand on your arm. Write your words in ABC order or create a sentence for each. Spell out loud or whisper spell many times.

Fry Words 1-150List 1 List 2 List 3 List 4 List 5 List 6

theof

andatoinis

youthat

ithe

wasforonareas

withhis

theyI

at

oronehadby

wordsbutnot

whatall

werewe

whenyourcansaidthereusean

eachwhichshe

willup

otheraboutout

manythenthemthese

sosomeher

wouldmakelikehimintotimehaslooktwo

numberno

waycould

peoplemy

thanfirst

waterbeencalledwhooilsit

nowfindlongdowndaydidget

overnew

soundtakeonlylittleworkknowplaceyearsliveme

backgivemostveryafter

thingsourjust

name

saygreatwherehelp

throughmuchbefore

linerighttoo

meansoldany

sametellboy

followcamewantshowalso

bethishavefrom

dohowtheir

if

morewrite

gosee

comemademaypart

goodsentence

manthink

aroundformthreesmall

Fry Words 151-300List 7 List 8 List 9 List 10 List 11 List 12

setputenddoes

anotherwelllargemustbig

evensuch

becauseturnherewhyask

wentmenreadneedland

differenthome

usmove

trykindhand

pictureagain

changeoff

playspellair

awayanimalhousepointpageletter

motheranswerfoundstudystill

learnshould

Americaworld

higheverynearaddfood

betweenown

belowcountry

plantlast

schoolfatherkeeptree

neverstartcity

eartheyeslight

thoughtheadunderstory

sawleft

don’tfew

whilealongmightclose

somethingseemnexthardopen

examplebegin

lifealwaysthosebothpaper

togethergot

groupoftenrun

importantuntil

childrensidefeetcarmilenightwalkwhitesea

begangrowtookriverfourcarrystateoncebookhearstop

withoutsecond

late

missidea

enougheatface

watchfar

Indianreal

almostlet

abovegirl

sometimesmountains

cutyoungtalksoonlist

songbeingleavefamily

it’sFry Words 301-500

List 13 List 14 List 15 List 16 List 17 List 18

body knew top measure five farm

music since ship remember step pulled

color ever across early morning draw

stand piece today waves passed voice

sun told during reached vowel seen

questions usually short listen true cold

fish didn’t better wind hundred cried

area friends best rock against plan

mark easy however space pattern notice

dog heard low cover numeral south

horse order hours fast table sing

birds red black several north war

problem door products hold slowly ground

complete sure happened himself money fall

room become whole toward map king

town I’ll unit figure certain field

travel wood fire upon done English

road half ten fly gave box

finally wait correct oh quickly person

became shown minutes strong verb stars

front feel fact inches street decided

contain course surface produce building ocean

class note nothing rest carefully scientists

Week 1 Text This Is Not My Cat from ReadWorks.org

W.M. Akers

She sat in front of the window, curled into a ball, feverishly licking herself. She was brown, black, grey, and orange—all the colors a cat can be swirled into a crazy patchwork. She looked like she had been the sole witness in the explosion of a paint store.

“You are a very lovely cat,” Aggie said. “I wish I knew what you were doing here.”The cat looked up and meowed, as if to say she was asking herself just the same question.

Aggie had come home from school that day, same as always. She had fixed herself a plate of graham crackers and peanut butter, same as always. She had sat down on the couch to watch afternoon TV with the cat, same as always. Only one thing was different: this was the wrong cat. Aggie’s beloved cat Princess was jet black and on the heavy side. This interloper had an air of the jungle about her. She was muscular, smaller than Princess, and apparentlymuch more fit.

“What did you do to my cat?!” asked Aggie, her mouth full of graham crackers. “How did you get in here? We don’t have a cat door. We didn’t leave any windows open. Did you teleport in through the glass? Or have you always been living in the house, and you just now decided to show yourself? Do you have an evil plan?!”

Although it appeared to consider her words carefully, the cat said nothing. Aggie turned off the TV in disgust. She was going to have to deal with this herself.

Taking the cat in the crook of her arm, she carried it outside. The cat wriggled in her arms, but Aggie held her tightly. “I’ve already lost one cat today. I’m not losing another one.”

She peered under bushes, behind the garbage cans, and in the secret corners inside the garage. Princess was nowhere to be seen. As she grew desperate, she even looked in the mailbox. The longer the search went on fruitlessly, the more the strange cat twisted in her arms. Finally, she started to hiss and claw.

“Fine! You want to come down, you come down.” Aggie set the cat down carefully. It did not run away. “That’s right. You stay close.”

As Aggie walked, the cat walked beside her, showing no inclination to run. A few times it crept off silently to nose into a patch of overgrown grass or bushes, apparently helping in the search for Princess. They found no sign of the vanished kitty. “I guess I should try to figure out who owns you,” Aggie said. She knocked on her neighbor’s door, and Mrs. Munson opened it. She was a crag faced woman whose constant scowling made her look older than she really was.‐

“What do you want?” asked Mrs. Munson, suspicious as always.“My cat Princess is missing, and—”“Do you think I’m stupid? You have a cat right there.”“I know, but this isn’t my cat. You see—”“So now you want two cats? That seems awfully greedy.”“Actually, I wanted to ask if this was your cat.”“I hate cats!”“Do you know who she belongs to? Or have you seen any other cats wandering the—”“No! Unlike you, I have more important things to do than think about cats. Good bye!”‐

When Mrs. Munson slammed the door in Aggie’s face, the strange cat rubbed her head against Aggie’s ankle in sympathy. The next neighbors were less angry, but no more helpful. No one had seen Princess, and they had no idea whose cat this was. And even though nobody was quite as mean as Mrs. Munson, they all gave the distinct impression they did not care about Aggie’s problem.

“You lose a cat, you find a cat,” said Mr. Tanner. “You break even. What’s the problem?”“But…I want my cat!”Mr. Tanner shrugged and closed his door. Aggie and the strange cat padded to the edge of his front lawn to sit on

the curb and sulk. It was getting dark now, and Aggie’s parents would be home soon. She had two mysteries on her hands—where this cat came from and where her cat went—and felt in her bones that if she let the sun go down without solving them, she never would. Beside her, the strange cat crouched and began to purr. There was something in the bushes.

“Princess?” Aggie called. The bushes rustled louder.The strange cat lowered her stomach to the ground and pulled herself through the grass like a soldier might.

Without meaning to, Aggie mimicked her, crouching as low as she could without falling over. They crept forward together as the bushes rustled louder and louder. Aggie leaned forward, one palm in the dirt, and tore the bushes open. The cat pounced, startling the shadowy creature hiding inside.

“Princess?!” asked Aggie, as the animal turned and ran away. She was about to go after it when a glimmer of light from a passing car illuminated it briefly. “Unless Princess was dressed up for Halloween, that was a raccoon. That’s my mom’s car. Let’s go home and see whether or not we can explain this mess.”

Aggie hefted the cat and trudged home. She opened the door and cried a forlorn, “Hey, Mom.”“Hey, sweetheart,” said Mom. “What’s going on?”“I’ve got some news about the cat.” Aggie walked into the living room, making eye contact with her mother and

preparing to deliver the bad news, but her mouth couldn’t form words. There was Princess sitting right beside Mom on the couch, same as always.

“The cat, sweetheart?”“We, uh… the strange cat entered from outside. We have two of them now.”Mom looked as surprised to see the new cat as Aggie was to see the old. As the two cats met each other, Aggie

stared at Princess, dying to know where she had been. Princess looked at her, black eyes shining and yawned, as if to say that she would never tell.

Week 1 Questions This Is Not My Cat from ReadWorks.orgW.M. Akers

1. What is the name of the missing cat in the story?a. Aggieb. Princess

c. Mrs. Munsond. Mr. Tanner

2. The problem in the story is that Aggie’s cat is missing. How is this problem solved?a. Mrs. Munson slams her door in Aggie’s face.b. Mr. Tanner tells Aggie that she has broken even.c. Aggie discovers a raccoon hiding in some bushes in her neighborhood.d. The cat reappears after Aggie goes out to look for it.

3. Read these sentences from the story: “I’ve got some news about the cat.’ Aggie walked into the living room, making eye contact with her mother and preparing to deliver the bad news, but her mouth couldn’t form words. There was Princess sitting right beside Mom on the couch, same as always.”What can be concluded from these sentences?

a. Aggie has lost her ability to speak because of a toothache.b. Aggie thinks her mom will be able to help her find Princess.c. Aggie is surprised to see Princess.d. Aggie is surprised to see her mom.

4. What is the opinion that Aggie’s neighbors have about her problem?a. They think her problem is extremely important.b. They do not think her problem is very important. c. They do not think her problem will ever be solved.d. They think her problem will resolve itself on its own.

5. What is the theme of the story?a. How mysterious cats can be b. How sneaky raccoons can bec. How delicious graham crackers ared. How helpful neighbors are

Week 2 Text The Noisiest Cat from Readworks.org

W.M. Akers

Melissa had a cat that loved her too much. The cat was named Roger. He was an older cat, about 10 years old, Melissa guessed. She knew because her parents told her they got Roger not long after Melissa was born. When she was

little, Roger was little, too. They would run and play and fall down together. Now that she was bigger, Roger was big, too. Very big. Possibly, she thought proudly, he was the fattest cat in town. But more importantly, he was the sweetest.

When Melissa watched TV, Roger sat on her lap. When she did her homework, he sat on her paper. When she ate, he ate, too. Everywhere Melissa went, Roger followed.

“That cat loves you so much,” Melissa’s mother would say. “He doesn’t know what to do without you!”Most of the time, this was great. Other girls had dolls. Other girls had stuffed animals. Other girls had guinea pigs

and hamsters and hermit crabs—pets that were usually in cages or tanks. But Melissa didn’t need any of that. She had a big fat kitty that followed her everywhere.

Yes, it was all pretty great—until Melissa tried to go to sleep.At night, Roger would sit outside her door perched like a hen on an egg. All night long, Roger would wait for

Melissa to wake up. At first, he would wait quietly. But after a few hours, he would start to get impatient. Every night, at around one in the morning, Roger would start to yowl.

If you do not have a cat, you do not know what an awful noise a yowl can be. Cats make lots of nice noises—like purring and meowing and sneezing—but a yowl is not nice at all. It starts deep inside their throat and moves up slowly, getting louder all the time. “Heeeeeee yowl!” Roger would say, over and over again. It sounded like he was being ‐stepped on. It sounded like he was in pain. And it woke Melissa up every time. Her eyes would pop open. Her stomach would twist up. She would lie there for hours, listening to Roger’s awful cry. No human is strong enough to sleep through a yowling cat.

“Mom!” Melissa would say the next day. “Roger was yowling again last night. He kept me up for hours!”“Oh sweetie,” Mom would say. “He just can’t stand to be without you. He loves you too much. Why don’t you just

open your door and let him in?”Melissa tried this once. When Roger started yowling, she stomped across her room and opened the door. He

bounded in. She lay back down, and tried to go to sleep. She couldn’t. It isn’t easy to sleep when a cat is walking on your head. She moved Roger, but he came back. She hid her head under her blanket, but he just poked her over and over again with his paw. When he started to yowl again, Melissa got fed up. She jerked the blanket off her head and stood up.

“Oh no you don’t!” she said. “No yowling in here!” She put Roger out into the hall where he started his song again.“Mom!” she said the next day. “Roger kept me up all night! First he walked on my head and then he kept yowling!”“Oh dear,” said Mom. “I guess he just loves you too much. I have an idea. Take this spray bottle to bed with you.

When he starts making noise, just give him a little squirt. Cats hate water. He’ll run right away.”That night, Roger started yowling on time, at 1 a.m. sharp. Melissa was waiting for him. She gave him three quick

squirts with the bottle, and he ran away. “Mmm,” she said. “Now I can get some sleep.”

But five minutes later, the cat was back—yowling away! Over and over she squirted him, and over and over he came back.

“What a piece of junk!” she said, and threw the bottle into the trash. Outside, Roger yowled some more.“Fine!” she shouted. “You win!”She opened the door, and Roger bounded inside. Soon he was sound asleep, cuddled on top of her head. Melissa

didn’t care. She would rather have a cat for a hat, she decided, than a cat that wouldn’t be quiet.

Week 2 Questions The Noisiest Cat from Readworks.org

W.M. Akers

1. Who is Roger?a. a catb. Melissa’s brotherc. a dogd. a hamster

2. What main problem does Melissa face in the story?a. Her cat is the fattest cat in town.b. Melissa’s cat does not like to play with her.c. Her cat yowls at night and wakes her up.d. Melissa wishes she had a guinea pig instead of a cat.

3. Roger does not like it when Melissa is asleep. What information from the passage supports this conclusion?a. When Melissa watches TV, Roger sits on her lap.b. Every night, Roger waits outside Melissa’s bedroom door and yowls.c. A yowl is an awful noise that cats make deep in their throats.d. Roger falls asleep on Melissa’s head at the end of the story.

4. How does Melissa feel about Roger?a. She loves that Roger follows her everywhere and loves when he yowls at night.b. She loves that Roger follows her everywhere and does not care when he yowls at night.c. She is annoyed when Roger follows her everywhere and when he yowls at night. d. She loves that Roger follows her everywhere, but is annoyed when he yowls at night.

5. What is the main idea of this story?a. Cats do not make very good pets because they are too noisy.b. If your cat is naughty, you should squirt it with a spray bottle.c. Cats can be great pets, but sometimes they do annoying things.d. Cats never sleep, so they don’t want their owners to sleep either.

Week 4 text Trouble in the Amazon From ReadWorks.org

Why is this rain forest shrinking so quickly?Bright-colored birds fly through the air. Monkeys leap from tree to tree. Jaguars creep on the ground below. Those are just a few of the thousands of animals that live in the Amazon rain forest.

The Amazon in South America is the largest tropical rain forest in the world. A tropical rain forest is a thick forest in a warm region with heavy rainfall.

People are destroying the Amazon. Each year, farmers and loggers1 cut down rain forest trees to make room for farms, homes, and roads. Scientists have recently discovered that the Amazon is shrinking twice as quickly as they once thought.

Cause for ConcernThe Amazon rain forest is one of the richest areas of the world in animal and plant diversity, or variety. Many of the foods, spices, and medicines people need come from the Amazon.

The Amazon rain forest also helps recycle Earth’s air. The trees give off oxygen for people to breathe. Trees also clean the air by taking in carbon dioxide. Too much carbon dioxide in the air is harmful to humans.

Fixing the ProblemStopping people from destroying the rain forest is not an easy task. "Almost 2 million people make the forest their home," scientist Jim Bowyer told Weekly Reader. "All these people need land for farming and wood for heat and cooking. They are looking for a way to survive. Solutions need to involve the very people who destroy the forest."

Did You Know? Rain forest trees stay green all year long. The tallest trees may grow up to 200 feet! When leaves and branches fall, they break down and release nutrients2 into the soil.

Week 4 questions: Trouble in the Amazon From ReadWorks.org

1. The main idea of this passage is thata. jaguars live in the Amazon.b. loggers are cutting down the trees in the Amazon.c. the Amazon is important, but it is being destroyed.d. people get medicine from the Amazon.

2. A detail from the passage is thata. brightly colored birds live in the Amazon.b. trees grow up to 200 feet.c. 2 million people live in the Amazon.d. all of the above.

3. Read this sentence from the text: “Scientists have recently discovered that the Amazon is shrinking twice as quickly as they once thought.”Who or what does “they” refer to?

a. treesb. monkeysc. scientistsd. loggers

4. Another detail from the passage isa. elephants are living in the Amazon.b. the Amazon is very dry.c. the Amazon recycles the Earth's air.d. people need a lot of carbon dioxide.

Week 5 text: Coral Reef Goes Digital From

ReadWorks.org Can computers help save this endangered habitat?

Live from Australia, it’s the Great Barrier Reef! Scientists are using special sensors, known as digital skins, to monitor changes in this underwater treasure.

The sensors are devices that record changes in the ocean and send up-to-the minute information to computers. Until now, scientists were able to monitor changes only after they had occurred. Scientists hope the new information will help them learn how to better care for coral reefs.

Reef RescueCoral reefs around the world are in trouble. Fishing nets and ships damage the reefs and break off sections of them. Natural disasters and pollution are also doing harm. At the same time, warmer sea temperatures cause the coral to die.

Although coral may look like a plant, it is actually made up of tiny sea animals called polyps. As polyps die, they leave behind hard shells. Other polyps grow on top of the shells. Over many years, the polyps form coral reefs.

Coral reefs play a very important role in ocean life. They supply food and shelter to thousands of different types of ocean creatures living in and around the reefs. People also depend on coral reefs for jobs, food, and medicine to treat diseases.

"Coral reefs are incredibly threatened," Rick MacPherson of California’s Coral Reef Alliance told Weekly Reader. "They require, now more than ever, that people pay attention and work toward protecting them."

Week 5 questions: Coral Reef Goes Digital From ReadWorks.org

1. According to the passage, the following are true about coral reefs EXCEPT:A they are made of tiny sea animalsB they play an important role in ocean lifeC they are made of tiny sea plantsD they are in trouble

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef in the world. It stretches 1,250 miles

along the northeast coast of Australia.

Although coral may look like a plant, it is actually made up of tiny sea animals called

polyps.

2. Read these two sentences from the passage:“Fishing nets and ships damage the reefs and break off sections of them.”“Coral reefs are incredibly threatened."How do these two sentences relate to each other?

A The first gives a cause of the second.B They describe two steps in a process.C The second sentence describes the first sentence.D The two sentences contrast two events.

3. Which of the following conclusions about the special sensors is supported by the passage?

A Until now, scientists had up-to-the-minute information about changes in the reefs.B Scientists have been reluctant to use these sensors because of the damage they cause.C Sensors in the reefs will provide information about changes as they occur.D Damage to the coral reefs is primarily caused by natural disasters.

4. Read this sentence from the passage: “Scientists are using special sensors, known as digital skins, To monitor changes in this underwater treasure.” Based on the text, the word monitor means

A to care forB to examineC to make upD to reverse

5. What is the main idea of this passage?A Not enough is being done to save coral reefs from the dangers of fishing, natural disasters, and pollution.B Sensors that monitor changes in reefs will help scientists learn how to better care for reefs.C Coral reefs form as polyps grow on top of the hard shells of other dead polyps.D Coral reefs are a crucial part of ocean life as they supply food and shelter to thousands of creatures.

Week 7 text: Fleeing Goma: Eruption in the Congo From ReadWorks.org

The volcano roared to life, sending lava and smoke high into the air. "First I thought it was thunder when the volcano started to spit the boiling lava. The town was covered with smoke, and we could hardly breathe," said one survivor.

The volcano erupted2 in January 2002 near the city of Goma. Goma is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country in Africa. Lava poured through the city, burning everything in its path.

As the lava and fires spread, people ran with whatever possessions they could carry. Many people fled into the neighboring country of Rwanda. Some children became separated from their families during the panic.

Fire and Loss

At least 40 people are believed to have died in the eruption. About 50 others died later when hot lava caused a fuel tank to explode. The lava also spilled into nearby Lake Kivu, poisoning the waters with deadly gases.

Once the volcano stopped erupting, many people returned to the city. Others stayed away, fearing that the volcano would erupt again at any moment.

Many who returned to the city described Goma as a ghost town. "Goma is finished. We have nothing here...and no chance of rebuilding," said one survivor. Government officials say that about 10,000 families lost their homes because of the eruption.

Relief for Goma

The United Nations and the International Red Cross sent medical supplies, food, water, and clothing to Goma. They also sent tents, blankets, cots, and building materials.

Emergency workers helped lost children unite with their families.

Democratic Republic of the Congo and Goma on the globe

The map shows the area around the city of Goma.

Week 7 questions Fleeing Goma: Eruption in the Congo From ReadWorks.org

1. When a survivor said he thought he was hearing thunder, he meanta. Goma has many thunderstorms, so a thunderstorm was coming.b. the survivor heard a loud noise.c. the erupting volcano sounded a lot like thunder.d. the volcano erupted during a thunderstorm.

2. The survivor used the word “spit” to describe the lavaa. running down the sides of the volcano.b. burning people.c. quickly shooting up in small amounts.d. melting homes.

3. The water of Lake Kivu is now poisoned becausea. a fuel tank exploded.b. the lava spilled into the water.c. about 40 people died from the eruption.d. people threw their garbage in the water.

4. Mount Nyiragongo is _________ of Rwanda.a. northeastb. northwestc. southeastd. southwest

Week 8 text Eruption! From ReadWorks.org

Mexico's "Volcano of Fire" roars back to life. When will the next big explosion occur?

The Colima (koh-LEE-mah) Volcano in Mexico has roared to life again. The 12,500-foot volcano is also called the "Volcano of Fire." Over the past few centuries, it has had several major eruptions.

The Volcano of Fire is Mexico's most active volcano. It has erupted many times over the years. What scientists are most worried about is the next big eruption. The volcano has had huge eruptions about every hundred years. In the 20th century, there was one that took place in 1913.

Scientists study the pattern of activity and compare it to data taken from the major eruption of 1913. Volcano experts can use their studies to predict a time period when there might be a large, explosive eruption.

Living Near the Volcano

The volcano is 20 miles north of the city of Colima. To make sure no one is in danger, officials created a safety zone around the volcano. People aren't allowed in that area.

Scientists use special equipment to track changes within the volcano. "We're looking for clues of another large, explosive eruption," says Luhr. "That way, we can be prepared."

How a Volcano Works Volcanoes are openings called vents on the surface of Earth. Volcanoes can be active (currently erupting or erupted not long ago), dormant (not currently active but likely to erupt someday), or extinct (unlikely to erupt

again). Magma is hot, melted rock beneath the surface of the Earth. When magma erupts onto the surface of the Earth, it is called lava. Magma collects in chambers beneath Earth's surface. After pressure from gases in the magma builds up, the magma erupts out of volcanoes. Volcanoes let out gases, ash, steam, and lava.

The Colima Volcano

Week 8 questions Eruption! From ReadWorks.org

1. The problem for scientists was finding when Colima would have its next big eruption and how they could keep people safe. What is the solution to this problem, as described in the passage?

A Scientists have estimated when the volcano will erupt, and they have notified the officials of Colima.B Officials created a safety zone around the volcano.C Scientists use special equipment to determine when the volcano will erupt.D A safety zone that includes Colima has been created, and no one is allowed in that area.

2. Scientists can predict the next eruption of a volcano based on its history of eruptions. What information from the text supports this conclusion?

A Scientists study the pattern of activity and compare it to data taken from the major eruption of 1913. Volcano experts can use their studies to predict a time period when there might be a large, explosive eruption.B What scientists are most worried about is the next big eruption. The volcano has had huge eruptions about every hundred years.C The volcano is 20 miles north of the city of Colima. To make sure no one is in danger, officials created a safety zone around the volcano.D Magma collects in chambers beneath Earth's surface. After pressure from gases in the magma builds up, the magma erupts out of volcanoes.

3. Read these sentences from the passage: “Magma collects in chambers beneath Earth's surface. After pressure from gases in the magma builds up, the magma erupts out of volcanoes. Volcanoes let out gases, ash, steam, and lava.”Based on the text, what does the word “pressure” refer to?

A the release of gases from the chambers in the Earth’s surfaceB the force of gases in the magmaC the eruption of gases from the volcanoD the mixture of gases in the magma that collects in the chambers

4. This passage is mainly aboutA the safety measures taken in preparation for the Colima Volcano’s next eruptionB the dangers facing the people of Colima who live near the “Volcano of Fire”C the next big eruption of the Colima Volcano that scientists are expectingD the way a volcanic eruption starts after a period of being dormant

Week 10 poem No Flying Allowed From superteacherworksheets.com

by Liana Mahoney

Today I had to fly to school because I missed the bus.I landed in the schoolyard and my teacher made a fuss.She said that “Flying’s NOT allowed!” I asked, “Is that a rule?”She nodded ‘YES’ emphatically. “NO FLYING ALLOWED AT SCHOOL!”Soon all my friends were begging me to teach them how to fly.First Sarah flew, then Seth flew, too – and both, with just one try!The sky was full of flying kids ignoring all the rules.They flapped their arms and soared like birds above the little school.My teacher had a change of heart, and flew up in the air.She laughed with glee, yelled, “Look at me!” and turned and flipped up there!What happened then’s a legend. (My friends think I’m so cool!)I had to tell my teacher, “NO FLYING ALLOWED AT SCHOOL!”

Week 10 poem What to Feed a Dragon From superteacherworksheets.com

by Kimber KrochmalI have a new pet dragon.He followed me from a dream.But I can’t tell my mom,It would only make her scream.I tried to feed him fried rice,But he didn’t like the spice.So I tried to feed him applesauce,But he said it made his eyes cross.I tried to feed him gingerbread,But he said it only hurt his head.So I tried to feed him peanut butter,But it got stuck and made him stutter.I tried to feed him watermelon pie,But that, he said, he wouldn’t try.So I tried to feed him sprinkle cake,But he said that would keep him awake.I tried to feed him last night’s dessert,But he said it made his stomach hurt.So I tried to feed him some fish,But he really didn’t like that dish.Then I tried to feed him cheese,That’s when he said “more please.”Now my mom is wondering why,We can’t keep cheese in the house.I heard her last night telling Dad,She thinks we have a mouse.

Week 10 poem Say Cheese! From superteacherworksheets.com

by Ruth DonnellyI love to use Mom’s camera.Can I, Mom? Oh, please?I want a picture of these bugs.That butterfly! Those bees!I took a hundred photographsOf monkeys at the zoo,And thirty of my mother--She smiled for one or two.I got some snapshots of my friends,Ella, Jack, and Will.And now I’m taking one of YOU--Ready, now? Hold still!Yes, I love taking photographs,It really is a breeze--‘Cause when I take the pictures,I don’t have to say cheese!

Look for these Notice and Note signposts when reading your self-selected books this summer. The recommended book lists at the top of this packet have ideas for new, exciting books to read! Be sure to stop and talk about the key questions once you notice a signpost.