Summer Homework & Supply Lists
- Content
| Please review the summer homework and supply lists for your child's age level. If you have questions, please contact your child's classroom teacher. See you this fall! |
Toddler
2023-24 Toddler Supply List
Dear Toddler Families,
Below is a list of items you will need to bring to school on or before August 29. Please be sure to label all belongings with your child’s first name and last initial. We will store them safely in the classroom and update you when your child’s supplies need to be replenished.
All our best,
The Toddler Teaching Team
Supply List
- Extra clothing - Two or three complete changes of clothes that include seasonally appropriate shirts and pants, socks, underwear, and a light sweater or sweatshirt in case they feel cold. (Please send in additional pairs of pants and underwear for students learning how to use the toilet.)
- Rain boots - For playing outside in the rain or exploring the creek.
- A toddler-sized bookbag and a lunch box - The goal is that your child will be able to carry these items independently.
- One package of diapers
- One package of wipes
- One washable cloth rest mat and one non-permeable bag - Rest mats and bags can be purchased through WMS by clicking here and completing the form. Rest mats and bags purchased together are $40 and additional bags are $5.
- Sunscreen, bug repellant, diaper cream, etc., if necessary - A Medication Administration Record (MAR) will need to be completed for these types of items.
Primary (3-6)
2023-24 Primary (3-6) Supply List
Dear Primary Families,
Below is a list of items that your child should bring to class on the first day of school. The links included are suggestions of products we think might be the easiest for your children to manage. Please note that because your child’s classroom is a multi-age classroom, this request is split into three categories. In some cases, examples are provided. Please be sure to label belongings with your child’s first name and last initial.
All our best,
The Primary Team
- Supplies for ALL Primary Students
- Supplies for Preschool-Age Students Only (Non-Kindergartners)
- Supplies for Kindergartners Only
Supplies for ALL Primary Students
- One small backpack - small enough to fit inside a locker (approx. 6 inches wide and 11 inches deep) or cubby, but large enough to hold a folder, lunchbox, water bottle and small miscellaneous items. Please keep in mind that some backpacks are difficult for children to use if they are too large for their bodies. Backpacks should comfortably fit a child according to their size. Here is a helpful sizing guide for children’s backpacks.
- One lunchbox small enough to fit inside a locker or cubby (maximum width 10 inches and depth 5 inches) - Example
- One set of reusable eating utensils in their lunchbox every day
- One reusable water bottle brought every day - Please make sure that your child is able to open and close their water bottle independently. Water bottles that provide a covered straw with a lid are the best options - Example
- Two complete sets of change of clothing including underwear, pants/shorts, shirt, socks, hat, a sweater or sweatshirt and an extra pair of shoes (Velcro or slip-on preferred) to keep at school
- One pair of rubber boots for the playground and for walks through the woods (to be kept at school)
Supplies for Preschool-Age Students Only (Non-Kindergartners)
Supplies for Kindergartners Only
Lower Elementary (6-9)
2023-24 Lower Elementary Supply List & Summer Homework
(For students entering first through third grades)
Summer Box Project
Your child should collect artifacts that represent their summertime experiences. Returning students may clean out and reuse their previous “summer box” or find a shoebox/other small cardboard box to hold their vacation artifacts. Feel free to have them decorate the outside of their boxes.
In September, the children will share their “summer boxes” with the class. This is a wonderful way for the children and teachers to get to know one another, an important part of our beginning of the year identity work. Your child will be offered the opportunity to take a moment and present about what is important and meaningful to them, and just as importantly, the rest of the group learns how to listen courteously and ask thoughtful questions to learn more. These early conversations often help forge connections and new friendships as our new community is created.
Ideally, this is work the children would do over the course of the summer, rather than in one day. All of the items should fit neatly in the box. Your child should be able to describe what makes each item special to them.
Here is a list of possible items your child might collect to get you started:
- Special rocks, shells or pressed flowers
- Family photographs
- Brochures or maps from a trip
- A special craft they made
- Journal entry
- List of stories/books they have read during the summer
- Poetry or stories they write over the summer
In August, you child's teacher will let you know when your child may bring the box back to school. If you have questions, you may either call the school and leave a message at (302) 475-0555 or email your child’s teacher. Thank you for your support of this summertime project.
Summer Reading
Math Review
All incoming 6-9 students will benefit from continuing to practice addition and subtraction. Incoming third-years may also practice multiplication facts. Math facts can be practiced online, as a game, with flashcards, workbooks or however you prefer.
The Summer Math Skills Sharpener series is a good screen free option for multi-skill math practice. This can be ordered online at www.summerskills.com. The book publishers recommend that parents/guardians purchase workbooks at the grade level the student just completed. If your child encounters a math problem or skill they do not know, please skip it.
Supply List
- Four folders with bottom pockets
- Plastic clipboard with flat clip (found on Amazon or something similar)
- Classroom sketchbook (reuse last year’s if possible)
- Additional sketchbook for Art class (reuse last year’s if possible)
- One small backpack (lockers are 6 inches wide by 11 inches deep)
Outdoor Learning:
- A complete change of clothing (including underwear, pants, shirt and socks)
- Extra sweater or sweatshirt to be left at school
- Poncho or raincoat to be left at school
- Mud boots or outdoor shoes for the playground
Lunch:
- Reusable lunch box
- Reusable water bottle
- Reusable silverware (available on Amazon)
Upper Elementary (9-12)
2023-24 Summer Homework & Supply List
(For students entering fourth through sixth grades)
We hope your break is off to a great start! Summer is an excellent time to play and explore the world around you while also taking time to relax and rejuvenate. Keeping reading and math as part of your routine will help reinforce what you learned this past year and prepare you for next year.
Please contact Lauralee Derksen with any questions.
Summer Reading
All students are required to read and be prepared to discuss:
The Story of SALT by Mark Kurlansky
Based on Mark Kurlansky's critically acclaimed bestseller Salt: A World History, this picture book explores every aspect of salt: The many ways it's gathered from the earth and sea; how ancient emperors in China, Egypt, and Rome used it to keep their subjects happy; why salt was key to the Age of Exploration; what salt meant to the American Revolution; and even how the search for salt eventually led to oil. Along the way, you'll meet a Celtic miner frozen in salt, learn how to make ketchup, and even experience salt's finest hour: Gandhi's famous Salt March.
The Story of Salt will be a jumping off point for cultural lessons and discussions.
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Winner of the Newberry Medal, acclaimed and award-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly’s Hello, Universe is a funny and poignant neighborhood story about unexpected friendships.
Told from four intertwining points of view—two boys and two girls—the novel celebrates bravery, being different, and finding your inner bayani (hero). “Readers will be instantly engrossed in this relatable neighborhood adventure and its eclectic cast of misfits.”—Booklist
In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kind hearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball.
Three Additional Books / Book Talk
In addition to The Story of SALT and Hello, Universe, everyone must read three books from a variety of genres and choose one book to present at the start of the school year. Books will be presented through book talks. The criteria is included in this packet. Books may be purchased or borrowed from the local library. We encourage reading in any capacity, whether students read alone, with parents or siblings, with an audiobook, or have books read to them.Book Talk Criteria
Read three books from different genres. Possible genres include:
- Autobiography
- Biography
- Classic
- Fantasy
- Historical fiction
- Memoir
- Mystery/Suspense
- Mythology
- Poetry anthology / collection
- Informational
- Realistic fiction
- Science fiction
- Short-story collection
- Sports novel
- Adventure
- Title
- Author
- Genre
- Main characters
- Basic plot including the main problem and the most interesting parts - DO NOT ruin the ending!
Be prepared to present your books at the start of the year. You will choose ONE book to present in front of the class, but should have index cards for all three. Your presentation should be 1-2 minutes, share the information from the index card, and include why you loved or didn’t love the book. It is helpful to have the book available for others to see, if possible.
Practicing Math Facts
Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/join
WMS Room 9 - Get Ready for 4th-6th grade
Class code: C94UEWC8
Ways to Practice Your Math Facts
- Make and use flash cards to practice math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).
- Play a game of War. You will need two decks of cards. Remove the face cards. When two cards are put down in play, the first one to compute (add, subtract, or multiply) them correctly takes the cards.
- Use dice. Roll and compute your answer.
- Make an addition, subtraction, multiplication or division chart with all the fact families.
- Play Math Baseball or other math fact games here.
- Use dominoes to practice. You can use real ones or make them from paper. Each time a domino is placed down, compute.
- Create 20 or more number cards with one number (1-10) on each card. Create 20 more cards with an equation sign ( + - x ) on each card. Place cards in two piles face down, one pile of number cards and one pile of equation sign cards. One sign card is flipped over. Each player chooses a number card off the top of the deck and players see who can figure out the problem first.
- Estimate the cost of filling the gas tank in the car. Check your estimate against the actual cost the next time you go with your parents to get gas.
- Use Google Maps to go to a familiar location. Check the mileage and figure out how much gas was used to get there and what the cost of the trip is.
- Estimate the cost of your family’s weekly groceries. Compare it to the actual cost.
- Make a list of your daily activities and the amount of time you spend on each one. Include things such as playing outside, reading, sleeping, eating, watching TV, using a device (computer, iPad, etc.), etc. There are 24 hours in each day. Make a graph or pie chart that shows how you spend your time.
- Log the amount of time it takes to make dinner and how much time it takes to eat it. Which takes longer?
- Measure your height now and again in August. How much did you grow this summer?
- It is said that we need to drink 8 glasses of water each day, each with 8 ounces of water in them. How much water do you drink each day? What amount of other liquids do you drink? Make a table and include everything you drink.
- Choose a day and figure out exactly how old you are - years, months, weeks, and days. If you want to challenge yourself, figure it out by minutes as well. You will have to ask your parents what time you were born.
- Make a list of the food you eat for a day each week. Write down what fraction of the food you eat each week are grains, vegetables, fruit, protein, and sweets. Do you have a healthy diet?
- Figure out the tip the next time you go to a restaurant. If you don’t know how to do this, ask your parents for a quick way to determine 10% of the bill (without using a calculator) and double that number to find a 20% tip.
- If you go on a vacation this summer, weigh your empty suitcase and weigh it once it has been packed. How much did all of your vacation gear weigh?
- Write down the time the sun sets each day for a week. Write down how that changed from Sunday to Saturday of one week.
- Write down your schedule for a summer day. Compare that to your schedule for a school day. Be sure to include times for each activity, including eating meals.
- Send a postcard to someone over the summer? Buy a postcard stamp. Investigate the cost of a postcard stamp over time. How much was it when you were born? How much was it when your parent/s were born? How much was it when your grandparents were born? What do you notice?
- Which costs more per ounce, your favorite cereal, ice cream, or beverage?
- Write down everyone’s full name who lives in your house. How many vowels are there? How many consonants are there? Write that in fractions and, if you know how, in decimals. Example: Lauralee Derksen→ 7 vowels, 8 consonants. 7/15 vowels; 8/15 consonants OR .47 vowels and .53 consonants
Supply List
- Binder, Case-it, or Trapper Keeper
- One composition book, graph ruled, for math (for fourth-graders and new students; only if needed for returning fifth- and sixth-graders)
- Two two-pocket folders
- Pencils for personal use (labeled with your child’s name)
- Post-its
- Headphones (Students will have individual Chromebooks and shared iPads.)
- Complete set of extra clothes
- An extra sweatshirt or jacket, depending on the season
- Seasonal boots (to be left at school)
- Water bottle (daily)
Please note that backpacks need to fit in lockers. The dimensions of our lockers are 59 inches high x 9 ¾ inches wide x 10 inches deep.
Birthday Celebrations: We are also collecting money for the birthday coordinator. $8 is needed for birthday celebrations that are held throughout the year. Please pay this in cash in an envelope labeled “Birthdays” so money can be given directly to the birthday coordinator.
Middle School
2023-24 Middle School Summer Homework & Supply List
(For students entering seventh and eighth grades)
If you have questions, please contact your child’s teacher for further information.
Room 10 teacher: Emma Mulrine
Supply List
- Five three-hole punched folders - one each in blue, green, yellow and red, plus one in any color
- One spiral-bound notebook with three-sections (any color)
- One blue notebook for math
- One notebook and one folder for Spanish (any color)
- Pens and pencils
- Earbuds or headphones (students will be assigned Chromebooks and iPads)
- Pack of dry erase markers (whichever size your child prefers)
- Complete set of extra clothes
- Boots (to be left at school)
Summer Reading
1. Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
2. A personal choice novel. If you need suggestions for your choice novel, Emma has included a list of some of her favorite books and books that she is planning to read this summer.
Please see below for the assignment directions for both novels.
"Look Both Ways" Directions
Complete a 3-2-1 reflection.
This can be done in writing or on the computer (if you think you might misplace your work, you can always email it to Emma or drop the written copy off at the school!). We will meet to discuss the book in the fall.
3: Choose three takeaways from the novel (e.g., something you learned, an idea from the novel, a connection you made, whether you liked the novel or not, etc.)
2: Choose two characters or stories that spoke to you, and why
1: Identify one question you may still have about the book or that you could bring to a discussion
Look Both Ways, by Jason Reynolds
This story was going to begin like all the best stories. With a school bus falling from the sky. But no one saw it happen. They were all too busy—
Talking about boogers.
Stealing pocket change.
Skateboarding.
Wiping out.
Braving up.
Executing complicated handshakes.
Planning an escape.
Making jokes.
Lotioning up.
Finding comfort.
But mostly, too busy walking home.
Jason Reynolds conjures 10 tales (one per block) about what happens after the dismissal bell rings, and brilliantly weaves them into one wickedly funny, piercingly poignant look at the detours we face on the walk home, and in life.
Personal Choice Novel Directions
Books Emma loves:
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - The hilarious journey of Arthur Dent and his friend Ford Prefect, who escape from Earth seconds before it is demolished and travel to a variety of galactic civilizations while gathering information for a hitchhiker’s guidebook. Read the entire trilogy!
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi - Seventeen-year-old Zélie, her older brother Tzain, and rogue princess Amari fight to restore magic to the land and activate a new generation of magi, but they are ruthlessly pursued by the crown prince, who believes the return of magic will mean the end of the monarchy.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - The March sisters come of age in Concord during the Civil War.
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson - Sold as a slave to an influential New York Tory family, 13-year-old Isabel spies for the patriot side during the American Revolution in a desperate hope to gain freedom for herself and her 5-year-old sister.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Katniss, a resourceful 16-year-old, narrates her own exciting and chilling story in a futuristic world where the country is divided into 12 districts — from the Über wealthy to the barely surviving. She is among the 24 teenagers pitched against each other in the annual battle-to-the-death TV reality show: The Hunger Games. All the actions, including the gruesome deaths and surprising twists of events, are caught on camera.
Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer - Twelve-year-old Artemis is a millionaire, a genius-and above all, a criminal mastermind. But Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of the bedtime stories — they're dangerous!
Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse - Amsterdam, 1943 - Hanneke spends her days procuring and delivering sought-after black market goods to paying customers, her nights hiding the true nature of her work from her concerned parents, and every waking moment mourning her boyfriend, who was killed on the Dutch front lines when the Germans invaded. She likes to think of her illegal work as a small act of rebellion.
On a routine delivery, a client asks Hanneke for help. Expecting to hear that Mrs. Janssen wants meat or kerosene, Hanneke is shocked by the older woman's frantic plea to find a person—a Jewish teenager Mrs. Janssen had been hiding, who has vanished without a trace from a secret room. Hanneke initially wants nothing to do with such dangerous work, but is ultimately drawn into a web of mysteries and stunning revelations that lead her into the heart of the resistance, open her eyes to the horrors of the Nazi war machine, and compel her to take desperate action.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - Starr goes to an elite school as one of very few black students in a posh neighborhood while lives in a neighborhood where gunfire and sirens are frequently heard and gang feuds are commonplace. When her childhood best friend Khalil is shot dead by a policeman in front of Starr, her life is forever altered.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith - This is the delightful and moving story of the hardships, sorrows and happiness of Francie, a poor girl living in Brooklyn at the turn of the century.
Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings by Margarita Engle - In this poetic memoir, Margarita Engle, a girl from two worlds: Cuba and Los Angeles, California. When a revolution breaks out in Cuba. Margarita’s worlds collide in the worst possible ways. How can the two countries she loves hate each other so much? And will she ever get to visit her beautiful island again?
Books Emma plans to read this summer:
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia - Seventh-grader Tristan Strong accidentally creates a hole into the Midpass, a world where ancient African gods clash with gods of African-American Legend. He must race to find Anansi, the Weaver, and repair the rip before the iron monsters wreaking havoc in the Midpass consume their world and ours.
The Storm Runner by J. C. Cervantes - A lonely boy in New Mexico has a physical disability that makes middle school feel even more like everyone is watching him. But as he soon learns, his physical differences are merely the first clue to a family history that connects him to the Maya gods — and puts him in mortal danger
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill - For as long as anyone remembers, a newborn from the town of Protectorate is brought to the forest and left for the evil witch. Luna is such a baby — but her fate turns out quite differently. Not only is she lovingly brought up by the witch, she is also extremely magical. When she can finally control her magic, Luna has the chance to change the fate of the town.
Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly - In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball. They aren’t friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms.
Scythe by Neal Shusterman - When the Thunderhead (the maga computer) proves to be the truly unbiased and flawless ruler of the entire world and medical and technology advancement make immortality a reality for all humans, governments are abolished and no one is naturally dying — except when they are “culled” by the Scythes: a highly revered group of experts that designate and execute those unfortunate individuals. This is both to keep the population under control and to remind the world of the value of life. When Citra and Rowan are chosen to be apprentice Scythes to the same man, they realize how complex, dangerous, and corrupt the Scythedom could be.
Summer Math Work
https://www.khanacademy.org/join
Class Code: 8NE6FQTU