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Summer Reading
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In the spirit of Harvard developmental psychologist, Howard Gardner, Summer Reading at St. Paul School seeks to engage all styles of learners!
Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences celebrates the fact that we all learn in many different ways. When students are given the opportunity to learn and create using the avenues that come naturally to them, they will thrive and grow to love learning in all of its forms.
Multiple Intelligence theory identifies 8 distinct intelligences. These are: visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist, linguistic, and logical-mathematical.
Using these intelligences as a guide, we have developed a menu of choices (below) that each student can use to pick a project that will demonstrate internalization and mastery of a summer reading book.
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reading options
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Summer reading assignment
Here’s how it all works:
- Students select and read 3 books from their teacher’s master list. Lists are developed by the grade cluster teams.
- Using their favorite of the 3 books, students will choose 1 project to complete from our Summer Reading Assignment Choice Menu (below). These options represent each of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.
- The students are required to bring their project to school according to each teacher’s assigned due date. Each child gets a chance to present his/her project to the rest of the class.
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SUMMER READING Assignment CHOICE MENU
- Visual-Spatial
- Bodily-Kinesthetic
- Musical
- Interpersonal
- Intrapersonal
- Naturalist
- Linguistic
- Logical-Mathematical
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- Create a map of the places that the story takes place. Add as much detail as you can!
- Draw a comic strip retelling an important part of the book. Mount the comic strip onto a poster board for display.
- Make a video about your book advertising why others should read it. Be creative!
- Paint a picture that represents what you liked best about the story.
- Make some puppets that represent the characters in your book. Provide a description of each character on an index card for each puppet.
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- Create a model of one of the most important places in the story.
- Design and build a mobile showing the important themes in the story.
- Cook a recipe from the part of the world where your book takes place. Make sure to write the recipe down along with a brief description about how it connects to the book.
- Make a detailed diorama showing the setting of your book. Add a paragraph or two on a separate paper explaining what you have shown.
- Teach the class dance steps to a dance that comes from the area of the world where your book takes place. You could even wear a costume from that area while you perform the dance!
- Create a model of one of the most important places in the story.
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- Perform a piece of music that reminds you of something from the story. Be prepared to tell the class why you chose this music and how it connects with the story.
- Write a rap song about the story’s main ideas.
- Put together a playlist for the book. Choose at least 1 song for each section of the story. Be prepared to play a sample from each song and explain to the class what the connection is with your book’s events.
- If your book is historical, research music from that time period and create a playlist to share with the class.
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- Interview someone else who has read this book. Develop questions about characters, plot, themes, and other areas that may interest you.
- Write a script for a short play that can tell others the main points of your book and get them interested in reading it, too!
- Plan a party for the characters in your book. Make an invitation, design a menu, make sample decorations, put together a playlist of music, and write up a schedule of events!
- Write and film a commercial that will get others to want to read the book.
- Teach a short lesson to the class on how to do something that is important in your book. (Examples: knitting, survival skills, speak a different language, tying nautical knots, caring for a pet)
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- Keep a journal of your own as you read the book. Describe how you are feeling, what you are thinking, and any surprises you find!
- Make a scrapbook about the story as if you were one of the characters trying to keep the memories of what happened.
- Compare and contrast two of the characters in the story. You can show this information on a poster, in an essay, or an art project.
- Write a personal essay about something that the book made you think about. It should be at least 2 pages.
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- Label and classify any plants and animals that would be found where your story takes place. Create a poster showing these things.
- If possible, take a field trip to a place that is similar to where your story is set. Take pictures and create a photo album.
- Design and grow a window box garden of plants or vegetables that make you think about something important from your book. You can take pictures of this project throughout the summer and make a scrapbook or poster of the photos to share with the class.
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- Write a journal from the point of view of your favorite character. Include at least 10 entries in the journal.
- Develop a crossword puzzle about the story.
- Design and make a newspaper telling about your book’s events. Include articles, pictures, and fictional interviews!
- Write a letter to one of the characters in the story telling him/her why you agree or disagree with a choice that they made. Letters should be well developed and a full page in length (length is for grades 3-8). Be prepared to read this letter aloud to the class.
- Create a book of poems about the book. Make at least 5 poems and put them together in book form for display.
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- Make a timeline of events for the book from beginning to end.
- Design a game to show others what the book is about.
- Create a flow chart of events from beginning to end with a description of each part.
- Make word puzzles or word searches for your class to complete. Include lots of information about your book’s setting, plot, and characters.