Free Reading Mrs. Barone

Free Reading Mrs. Barone

RULES FOR USING FREE READING TIME

This should be the last section of your journal. Separate it from your daily journal section.

1.  Students must read, or write in their independent reading journals for the entire period. – READ! Only students past the reading requirement may use Free Reading time to write.

2.  You cannot do homework or read any material for another course. Free Reading is not a study hall. There is no sleeping! It is much easier to stay awake if your head is not down on the desk.

3.  You must read a book. (No magazines or newspapers where pictures compete with words.) If you forget your independent reading book, find something else to read before you walk in the room. If you come to class without a book, not only will you lose 10 points from your homework grade but also you will be wasting valuable time.

4.  You must have a book in your possession when the bell rings. This is your main responsibility involved in coming to class. Students who finish a book during the workshop should bring another book. You may use your agenda to sign out but you will lose 5 points.

5.  You may not talk or disturb others.

6.  There are no lav. or water passes to disturb me or other readers unless it is an emergency.

7.  Reading must also be done at home, during a study hall, and anywhere else you have a few minutes. You should always bring your IR book to class because you never know when there might be a few extra minutes to read.

Learn to love good stories and make reading a habit!

2 pages of reading journals are due 3 times per quarter. (1st 1/3, middle, and end)

(1 and 1/2 pages for freshman)

You may write in your journals during Free Reading but I would prefer if you read during class time. Instead, jot down some ideas for writing as you are reading.

5pts à Walk in the room with a book

5pts à Reading for the entire period

(If you have to go to your locker you get ½ credit- your homework is to come to class with your book)

Independent Reading (IR) Journals

Proper title NEEDED on ALL IR journals:

Title of book (underlined)

Author

Pages you are writing about

Start with a brief SUMMARY: ½ page

You need to write a summary about what is going on in the book. About one paragraph that is at least 5 sentences long. Explain who the characters are, where the story takes place, and a brief explanation of what is going on no longer than 1/2 a page.

Then- respond, react and give me your thoughts and feelings about what you are reading. If you write a full-page plot summary you will only receive ½ credit. This is a MENU -feel free to pick and choose:

1.  RESPONDING AS A HUMAN BEING:

·  Does this book speak to you personally in some way?

·  Can you identify with the feelings or situations of a character?

·  Tell me one part you really liked, why was it so great?

·  Is there something you cannot stand? Explain.

2.  DO SOME RESEARCH:

Research something in the book or author that interests you. Then write about it:

·  What did you find out?

·  Do you agree with the research?

·  What are your thoughts about the research?

·  Make sure to include where you got the info.

3.  MAKE CONNECTIONS:

·  What in this novel compares or contrasts to something in another book you have read or a movie?

·  What is the other book?

·  What is similar? How? Why?

·  What is different? How? Why?

4.  PUT THE WORK INTO CONTEXT:

·  Why is this novel the way it is?

·  What do you suppose the writer was trying to do when he/she wrote this book?

·  What things about society and the world does the author address?

·  How?

5.  BE CREATIVE: may only use this ONCE per quarter. Write a poem/song/story or draw a picture or a cartoon that has to do with this novel (1 page picture, half page writing)

·  Explain the significance of your piece

·  Must be “good” enough if I am allowing a picture to compete with words.

6.  KEEP THE DICUSSION GOING: If you have something to say about this novel but can’t express yourself in class, now is your chance. Say whatever you want about the novel. You need to write:

·  How you feel?

·  Explain why?

7.  MAKE PREDICTIONS: Based on what you already know:

·  Predict what you think will happen as the story continues

·  Tell why you think this will happen

8.  DIRECT QUOTATIONS: Copy a significant quote from your novel

·  Make sure you copy the quote exactly as it is written, use quotation marks, and list the page number where it appeared in your novel.

·  Explain the quotation in terms of your novel

·  Explain why this quote is significant or how it relates to the novel as a whole, or in other words, why did you choose it?

Remember: In these journals, pretend we are having a “chat” about your novel, TALK TO ME, tell me how you feel about it but make sure you back up your statements with specific examples from the novel. A few direct quotes wouldn’t hurt!