Summer Assignments

Each library provides summer reading lists and resources for students in all grades with carefully selected titles for recreational reading as well as curricular reading, if appropriate. Required summer reading lists for Middle and Upper School students are accompanied by links to guiding questions, study guides or detailed assignments.

Summer assignments include math work for rising students in grades 4-12. These assignments aim to keep young minds from growing rusty over the summer months. Completing the work found in each grade or course-specific packet ensures that students will hit the ground running when school meets again.

Upper School students will find assignments for some science, humanities and world language courses as well.

Please refer to the Division the student will be entering in 2023-2024.

First School
Key-Wee - Kindergarten

Resources
Books to Enjoy Over the Summer

Resources

Books to Enjoy Over the Summer

Seeking inspiring titles to share with your child? Key's librarian has put together a wonderful list of books.

Go to the Manse Library cloud. Click on "Catalog" (top left) then on "Resource Lists" (on left). Scroll down and you will see a "First School Suggested Reading" list link.

The Manse Library is closed over the summer; however the books should be available through your local library. Local library cards provide access to a world of both print and electronic resources. Here is a link to the Maryland Public Library Directory to search out your local library organized by county. From there, you can search how to apply for a library card online.

Lower School
Grades 1-4

Summer Math Packets

Rising fourth grade students will receive a hard copy of the required summer math packet in the mail. Completed packets should be brought in the first day of School and given to the student’s homeroom teachers.

If you don't receive the packet by June 21 or need a copy of it, contact Jermaine Hawkins in the Lower School Office.

There is no required summer math packet for rising first, second or third grade students. The Lower School math coordinator Ellie Young does have review materials available for families who want summer math work for their child; these math packets are reinforcement in nature. Contact Ellie Young if you would like a math review packet sent to you.

Let's See What You Read this Summer!

Let's see what you ready this summer!

Create a READ poster and bring it in the first week of school. Show what books you read this summer, where you did some reading, who you read with…the possibilities are endless. If you like, you can use #KeyReads and post your READ poster on social media! Posters will be displayed in the Manse when we return.

Check out these examples.

Resources

Interested in raising a family of readers? Check out this book.

Recommended Reading:

Summer reading selections from the Association for Library Service to Children:

For returning families with rising 1st-4th graders with Raz-Kids accounts:

All returning rising 1st through 4th graders have Key accounts on Raz-Kids where they can access reading at their specific reading level. Although this is a classroom resource during the school year, it is available year round for students to use online or on their device with the Kids A-Z app. This account will be available to New-to-Key families once school starts.

Books to Enjoy Over the Summer

Key's librarian has put some wonderful book lists together.

Go to the Manse Library cloud. Click on "Catalog" (top left) then on "Resource Lists" (on left). Scroll down to the Summer Reading Lists for these categories: Chapter Books, Graphic Novels, Non-Fiction, and Picture Books.

The Manse Library is closed over the summer; however the books should be available through your local library. Here is a link to the Maryland Public Library Directory to search out your local library organized by county. From there, you can search how to apply for a library card online.

Middle School
Grades 5-8

Please refer to the grade the student will be entering in 2023-2024.

5th Grade Summer Math & Reading

Summer Math Work

Rising fifth grade students will receive a hard copy of their summer math packet in the mail. The completed packet should be brought in the first day of school and given to their fifth grade math teacher.

Contact Heather Nye in the Middle Office if you don't receive your packet by June 26 or need another copy of this packet.

Required Reading

During the summer we continue to be a community of readers: relaxing with new stories and uncovering treasures. You must read at least THREE books over the summer. Complete the one required reading below and the reading response and read at least two other books of your choice. Record all your books in the Summer Reading Log.

The Summer Reading Log and the Reading Response sheet will be included in the math packet being sent to you. You may also, of course, download the information from here.

1. Wonder*
Author: R.J. Palacio
ISBN: 9780375869020 (hardcover)
* You are asked to read ONLY the original book, and not the "Julian Chapter" or any other “chapters” that have appeared since the book was first published. Reading Response for Wonder

2. Read two additional books of your choosing

On the first day of school, please bring:

Your copy of Wonder and the completed Wonder Reading Response.
Your Summer Reading Log

Having trouble deciding what to read?

Reading lists compiled from the suggestions of your teachers, librarians and peers are available on the Middle School's Ford K. Brown (FKB) Library website. Go to Key School’s FKB/Upper School Libraries webpage. Click on "Catalog" at the top left, then click the "Resource Lists" in the left column. You will see a variety of recommended titles

The Ford K. Brown Library is closed over the summer; however the books should be available through your local library. Here is a link to the Maryland Public Library Directory to search out your local library organized by county. From there, you can search how to apply for a library card online.

Other ideas...

Don’t forget to list your readings (novels, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, etc.) in your log. Get together with friends, form book clubs, and email each other about your favorite characters. Enjoy the summer community of reading.

Questions?

For questions about the required reading, contact Middle School Humanities Head Jane Zanger.

6th Grade Summer Math & Reading

Summer Math

View the Middle School Summer Math Assignments page for students going into 6th-8th grades.

Required Reading

During the summer we continue to be a community of readers: relaxing with new stories and uncovering treasures. You must read at least FOUR books over the summer. Complete the two required readings below and the reading response for A Place at the Table, and read at least two other books of your choice. Record all your books in the Summer Reading Log.

1. One biography of your choosing

Be prepared to bring in an artifact that represents an interest, success or notable achievement of your biography subject when instructed by your teacher. This will be used for the Biography Artifact Investigation in class during the first week of school.

2. A Place at the Table

A Place at the Table
By: Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
ISBN: 9780358116684

Complete this Reading Response for A Place at the Table.

3. Read two additional books of your choosing

On the first day of school, please bring:

Your copy of the biography you chose.
Your copy of A Place at the Table AND the completed Reading Response.
Your Summer Reading Log.

Having trouble deciding what to read?

Reading lists compiled from the suggestions of your teachers, librarians and peers are available on the Middle School's Ford K. Brown (FKB) Library website. Go to Key School’s FKB/Upper School Libraries webpage. Click on "Catalog" at the top left, then click the "Resource Lists" in the left column. You will see a variety of recommended titles

The Ford K. Brown Library is closed over the summer; however the books should be available through your local library. Here is a link to the Maryland Public Library Directory to search out your local library organized by county. From there, you can search how to apply for a library card online.

Other ideas...

Don’t forget to list your readings (novels, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, etc.) in your log. Get together with friends, form book clubs, and email each other about your favorite characters. Enjoy the summer community of reading.

Questions?

For questions about the required reading, contact Middle School Humanities Head Jane Zanger.

7th Grade Summer Math & Reading

Summer Math

View the Middle School Summer Math Assignments page for students going into 6th-8th grades.

Required Reading

During the summer we continue to be a community of readers: relaxing with new stories and uncovering treasures. You must read at least FOUR books over the summer. Complete the required reading of The Giver and the reading response, one of the three books listed below AND read at least two other books of your choice. Record all your books in the Summer Reading Log.

1. The Giver

By: Lois Lowry
ISBN: 9780544336261 (January 2014)
Reading Response for The Giver

2. Read ONE of the three books listed below:

Life as We Knew It (Book 1 in the series)
By: Susan Beth Pfeffer
ISBN: 9780152061548
The Outsiders
By: S. E. Hinton
ISBN: 9780142407332 or 9780143039853
They Called Us Enemy
By: George Takei
ISBN: 9781603094504

3. Read two additional books of your choice.

On the first day of school, please bring:

Your copy of The Giver and the completed The Giver Reading Response
Your copy of either Life As We Knew It, The Outsiders or They Called Us Enemy
Your Summer Reading Log

Having trouble deciding what to read?

Reading lists compiled from the suggestions of your teachers, librarians and peers are available on the Middle School's Ford K. Brown (FKB) Library website. Go to Key School’s FKB/Upper School Libraries webpage. Click on "Catalog" at the top left, then click the "Resource Lists" in the left column. You will see a variety of recommended titles

The Ford K. Brown Library is closed over the summer; however the books should be available through your local library. Here is a link to the Maryland Public Library Directory to search out your local library organized by county. From there, you can search how to apply for a library card online.

Other ideas...

Don’t forget to list your readings (novels, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, etc.) in your log. Get together with friends, form book clubs, and email each other about your favorite characters. Enjoy the summer community of reading.

Questions?

For questions about the required reading, contact Middle School Humanities Head Jane Zanger.

8th Grade Summer Math & Reading

Summer Math

View the Middle School Summer Math Assignments page for students going into 6th-8th grades.

Required Reading

During the summer we continue to be a community of readers: relaxing with new stories and uncovering treasures. You must read at least FOUR books over the summer. Complete the two required readings below and the reading response for each book, and read at least two other books of your choice. Record all your books in the Summer Reading Log.

Required books for all eighth graders:

1. Animal Farm
By: George Orwell
ISBN: 9780451526342
Reading Response for Animal Farm

2. Read ONE of the three books listed below:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
By: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
ISBN: 9781442408937
Maus I
By: Art Spiegelman
ISBN: 9780394747231
Piecing Me Together
By: Renée Watson
ISBN: 9781681191072

Reading Response for your book choice

3. Read at least two additional books of your choice

On the first day of school, please bring:

Your copy of Animal Farm and the completed Animal Farm Reading Response.
Your copy of either Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Maus I or Piecing Me Together and the completed book of choice Reading Response.
Your Summer Reading Log

Having trouble deciding what to read?

Reading lists compiled from the suggestions of your teachers, librarians and peers are available on the Middle School's Ford K. Brown (FKB) Library website. Go to Key School’s FKB/Upper School Libraries webpage. Click on "Catalog" at the top left, then click the "Resource Lists" in the left column. You will see a variety of recommended titles

The Ford K. Brown Library is closed over the summer; however the books should be available through your local library. Here is a link to the Maryland Public Library Directory to search out your local library organized by county. From there, you can search how to apply for a library card online.

Other ideas...

Don’t forget to list your readings (novels, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers, etc.) in your log. Get together with friends, form book clubs, and email each other about your favorite characters. Enjoy the summer community of reading.

Questions?

For questions about the required reading, contact Middle School Humanities Head Jane Zanger.

Upper School
Grades 9-12

Please refer to the courses the student will be taking in 2023-2024.

Humanities Required Reading & Assignments

If your course is not listed, there is no summer work required.

Ancient Civilizations

9th Grade

Welcome to Ancient Civilizations! Below, you will find two stories, which will include a few questions to answer. The first story, The Lady or the Tiger?, raises questions about human nature and motivation; themes we will wrestle with all year long. The second is an excerpt from the Popol Vuh, a Meso-American creation story which can reveal much about the values and worldview of a civilization. Read carefully, but most importantly, enjoy!

Modern Civilizations

10th Grade

Silence
By: Shūsaku Endō
ISBN: 9781250082244
Guiding questions

American Civilization

11th Grade

The Underground Railroad
By: Colson Whitehead
ISBN: 9780385542364
Guiding questions

Comparative Literature

12th Grade

Everything I Never Told You
By: Celeste Ng
ISBN: 9780143127550
Guiding questions

World Language Required Reading & Assignments

Math Assignments

Science Assignments

If your course is not listed, there is no summer work required.

Advanced Biology

Complete activities 1-15 in BIOZONE AP Biology.

Students should pick up the textbook from Alyssa MacMeekin before the end of the school year. Newly enrolled students may contact Brian Michaels or Cindi Asquith in the Upper School office to arrange a time to pick up the textbook.

This textbook is the only book needed and will be used throughout the school year. To provide the lowest cost textbook, Key has purchased them for $37.95 per book. This amount will be charged to families’ FACTS accounts.

Advanced Chemistry

Chemistry
By: Zumdahl & Zumdahl
8th Edition, AP Edition, Revised 2012
ISBN: 9781111577346

Please read Chapters 1-3 and complete the following problems by the first day of school.

Chapter 1: 39,47,55,59,87,89,91
Chapter 2: 51,53,55,57,59,63,65,71,75
Chapter 3: 33,37,43,47,53,57,65,67,69,75

Books to Enjoy over the Summer

To supplement required summer readings, Key’s librarian has selected books that are highly appropriate for each grade’s curriculum. View the list!

The Upper School library is closed over the summer; however the books should be available through your local library. Here is a link to the Maryland Public Library Directory to search out your local library organized by county. From there, you can search how to apply for a library card online.