Summer Letters

Grades 7 and 8

Print version of grades 7 and 8 summer letter

AMANI PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL

Summer Learning Packet

SY 2026–2027  ·  Incoming 7th & 8th Graders

Dear Families,

Welcome to Amani Public Charter School! Over the summer, a little reading and math practice each week goes a long way — it helps scholars keep their skills sharp and start the new year with confidence.

This packet is meant to be light and easy to fit into your summer — not a second job for you or your scholar. A few minutes a day is all it takes.

Reading

Aim for at least 20 minutes of reading a day — any book your scholar enjoys counts!

Free books & library resources

  • Mount Vernon Public Library — free library card and summer reading programs for kids and teens
  • Westchester Library System — borrow from any library in the county with one card
  • Libby — free ebooks and audiobooks with your library card, right on your phone
  • Common Sense Media Book Lists — age-appropriate book picks by grade and interest

This summer, try to:

  • Read a book of your choice — fiction or nonfiction, at or above grade level
  • Talk about what you're reading with a family member
  • Write a few sentences about your favorite part, or a letter to the author

Book recommendations

Rising 7th Grade

Rising 8th Grade

• New Kid by Jerry Craft

• Trash by Andy Mulligan

• Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey

• Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

• Slam by Walter Dean Myers

• The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez

Inside out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai

Math

Just 10 minutes a day of fact practice builds real confidence for the new school year.

Free websites for practice

  • Khan Academy — free lessons and practice at every level
  • IXL — skill practice with instant feedback
  • Prodigy — game-based math practice
  • Blooket — fun, game-show style review

Looking for something hands-on this summer? The National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in NYC offers interactive exhibits and family activities for all ages.

Before entering 7th or 8th grade, scholars should feel comfortable with multi-step word problems, fractions, ratios, and pre-algebra concepts. A little daily practice keeps those skills sharp.

Supply List

Grade 7

Grade 8

1 box colored pencils

1 box colored pencils

1 box markers

1 box markers

2 black Expo dry-erase markers

3 erasers

1 pack multicolored Expo dry-erase markers

2 black Expo dry-erase markers

5 packs pencils

1 pack multicolored Expo dry-erase markers

3 boxes tissues

5 packs pencils

1 bottle hand sanitizer

2 boxes tissues

1 container Lysol or Clorox wipes

2 bottles hand sanitizer

3 packs Post-it notes (not Super Sticky)

1 container Lysol or Clorox wipes

20 manila folders

3 packs Post-it notes (not Super Sticky)

5 wide-ruled composition notebooks (black) — labeled

20 manila folders

1 box blue pens — labeled

5 wide-ruled composition notebooks (black) — labeled

4 plastic pocket folders — labeled

1 box pens, blue or black — labeled

1 pack highlighters (5+) — labeled

1 pack highlighters (5+) — labeled

1 small pencil sharpener — labeled

1 small pencil sharpener — labeled

2 packs large index cards (4x6) — labeled

2 packs large index cards (4x6) — labeled

Thank you for partnering with us this summer. We can't wait to see you in the fall!

Jennifer Ciavirella

Principal, Amani Public Charter School

60 South Third Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550  |  (914) 668-2553  |  amanicharter.org