3rd Grade Summer Reading
Required Reading:
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida,
and all the good things that happen to her because of her big, ugly dog Winn-Dixie.
**As a class, we will discuss the book and a test will be administered.
Options in Summer Reading (Please Select Two):
1. How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
Billy accepts the challenge to eat fifteen worms in fifteen days when his friend bets fifty
dollars that he cannot do it.
2. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
In this loving story of a motherless family, a tall, plain woman comes to stay with them.
3. Chalk Box Kid by Clyde Robert Bulla
Nine-year-old Gregory's house does not have room for a garden, so he creates one in a
surprising place.
4. My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett
When Elmer Elevator hears about the plight of an overworked and under-appreciated
flying baby dragon, he packs his knapsack with supplies and stows away on a ship
headed for Wild Island. Nothing will stop Elmer from rescuing the dragon!
5. Just a Dream by Chris Van Allsburg
When he has a dream about a future Earth devastated by pollution, Walter begins to
understand the importance of taking care of the environment.
6. Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger by Louis Sachar
After Wayside School is reopened, the classroom on the thirtieth floor experiences a
series of unusual substitute teachers.
7. Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner
Little Willy hopes to pay the back taxes on his grandfather's farm with the purse from a
dogsled race he enters.
8. Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say
A Japanese American man recounts his grandfather's journey to America, which he later
also undertakes, and the feelings of being torn by a love for two different countries.
9. Mirette on the High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully
Mirette learns to become a tightrope walker and also discovers a valuable lesson about
courage and faith from her instructor.
10. Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker
When sorting through difficulties in her friendship with her neighbor Margaret, eightyear-old Clementine gains several unique hairstyles while also helping her father in his
efforts to banish pigeons from the front of their apartment building.
**Students will be expected to complete one project for each book chosen to read over
the summer. Check out the grid below to choose your project and please remember you
may not choose the same project for both books. Students will be expected to share
projects and recap the story read for the class in a presentation that is 1-2 minutes in
length.
Written Book Report
Board Game
Shoe Box Diorama
A. Write the title of the book
on the top line and underline it.
Skip a line and write the
author under the title.
B. Skip a line. Write a summary
paragraph about the book. Be
sure your paragraph has a main
idea.
C. Write additional paragraphs
about the main events that
happen in the book, in the
order that they happened.
Include details that support
your topic sentences.
D. Write a paragraph about
your reaction to the book. The
paragraph should be written so
the book sounds interesting
enough for someone else to
read.
E. Make a cover page for your
report. It should include the
A. Create a board game using
the characters and setting
from the story you read.
B. Use buttons or other small
items for the markers.
C. Use a spinner or dice for the
number of spaces the pieces
move.
D. Draw the board on
heavy/thick paper. Make the
pieces move through places or
events from the story.
E. You may need to make up
question and answer cards to
go with the game.
F. Include a set of rules, the
game board, and the game
pieces in a baggie. Be sure your
name and the name of the
game are on the board and on
the baggie.
G. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
A. Trace the bottom of a shoe
box on a plain piece of paper.
Cut out the shape. Make sure it
fits into the bottom of the
shoe box. Draw and color the
background or setting of the
scene on this paper. Glue it in
the shoe box.
B. Draw, color, and cut out
characters. (Hint: You can
attach L-shaped strips of
heavy paper to the back of
each character to help them,
or any other props you would
like to add to your scene, then
glue each character to the
bottom of the box.)
C. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
title, author, your name, the
date, and an illustration.
F. This report can be written
or typed.
G. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
Lights, Camera, Action!
Hanging Mobile
Book Jacket
A. Choose an event from your
book that would be fun and
interesting to act out. If more
than one character appears in
the scene, you may have
classmates who have or have
not read the same book take
the other parts (only during
the presentation; these
student(s) will not be working
on this project with you.).
B. Dress up and use props to
act out the action of the story.
Practice several times so that
you know what to do. You may
use cards to help you
remember your parts. If you
need other classmates that
help you during your
presentation, have cards for
them to use and read from.
C. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
A. On a sheet of paper,
brainstorm a list of the most
important (1.) characters in
your book, (2.) the settings,
and (3.) any special objects
that were part of the story.
B. After listing all the possible
characters, settings, and
objects you can think of,
decide which ones best
represent your book. Choose 57 to illustrate, drawing both
the front and back views. Your
items should be colored on
both sides. Make them medium
size, not too small and not too
large... just right.
C. Hang the items from pieces
of yarn or string on a hanger.
D. Add a card with the book
title, author and your name.
E. Once you have tied the
pieces to the mobile and have
each piece balanced, place a
drop of glue on the string so it
doesn't slip on the hanger.
F. Carry your mobile to school
in a trash bag or other large
bag. Paper clip the card parts
together so they don't tangle.
We will hang it when you get to
class.
G. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
A. For this project use a 12' X
18" piece of construction
paper.
B. Fold the paper in half. Then
fold each end of the paper in 3
1/2 inches to make the inside
flaps of the book jacket.
C. On the front cover, write
the title and the author of
your book. Draw and color a
picture that is appropriate for
your book. Book Jacket by:
_______________
D. On the front inside flap,
write a summary of the story
in your own words. Include
what kind of book this is, who
the main characters are, the
setting, and the main events of
the story.
E. On the back inside flap,
write a short paragraph about
the author. You should include
where the author lives, the
author's interests, and other
good books written by this
author.
F. On the back cover, write a
short blurb that will catch a
reader's attention.
G. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
TV Commercial
Stereo Style
It’s All About Me
A. Decide what the best thing
is about your book.
B. Write a commercial
promoting your book. Be sure
to tell why this book is such a
good selection, but don't give
away the ending. The
commercial should not last
more than a minute.
C. Turn in your script with the
title of the book, the author,
and your name on it.
D. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
A Choose to either summarize
the entire book or one event
from the book.
B. Choose a music genre: rap,
opera, rock, country, etc.
C. Turn in your lyrics with the
title of the book, the author,
and your name on it. You are
encouraged to perform your
song for the class.
D. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
A. Gather 7 to 10 items that
the main character might put
in a "Me Bag".
B. Before you put the items in
a bag, decorate the bag with
the title of the book, the
author's name, and your name.
Draw pictures or designs that
relate to the story.
C. Introduce the main
character of the book to the
class by explaining why that
character would choose each
of the items in the bag.
D. Be prepared to give an oral
summary of the book. Be
familiar with the characters,
setting, problem and solution.
Book One Project Due Date: Friday, August 21
Book Two Project Due Date: Friday, August 28
Note about projects: Step by step directions are provided with the intent of assisting you,
however, please feel comfortable to allow your child to express his/her creativity with
these projects.