Yale Reading Requirements

Every quarter, every student will:

  • Read for at least twenty minutes every evening, in addition to the SSR time provided in class.
  • Record all independent reading in Home Reading Log (HRL) daily, have log signed by parent daily, and turn in log every Friday.
  • Pass Accelerated Reader tests with 80% or higher score for AR books, and complete the non-AR form for non-AR books.
  • Prepare and present one book talkpresentation in front of the class.

Reading Grade:

  • 40% = meeting your AR goal
  • 40% = Home Reading log
  • 20% = Book presentation

Book Talks

  • The purpose of your book discussion is to convince the class that yours is a good book to read (or not to read). You should create excitement, enthusiasm, and curiosity among your classmates, particularly if it is a “must read” book.
  • Student must be finished with the book when giving the discussion.
  • Every quarter, each student will present a talk about one of the independent reading books that he/she has read. The presentation methods will change each quarter. Students are responsible for signing up for their Book Talk dates. Once you have completed a book, I strongly recommend that you sign up immediately- the dates will fill quickly. (The calendar is on a clipboard posted by my desk.) Due to time constraints, I cannot allow more than two Book Talks per day. If a student waits until the last minute to sign up, he/she may not get the opportunity to do a talk if the remaining dates are already filled.

Book Talk Presentations:

Each presentation should be a minimum of five minutes in length. Please do not exceed ten minutes-practice it to ensure that you stay within the time constraints. Remember, choose one of the two choices each semester.

Quarter 1: “Book in a Bag”- Place five items in a paper/plastic bag which have significance to the story. You will take out the items separately and discuss their importance.

OR

Quarter 1: “Significant Character” – Choose a significant character from the novel. Select an appropriate costume and any artifacts that represent the character. Present the story to the class from that character’s perspective.

Quarter 2: “Welcome to Hollywood” –Create a movie poster for the novel. Be sure to include the title and its author. Provide graphics that help “tell the story.” Discuss the importance of the graphics to the class as you are discussing the book. One graphic must be representative of the book’s theme.

OR

Quarter 2: “Multimedia” – Your presentation must be compatible with the school network. Select images and music that help tell the plot and the theme of the novel.

Please conclude each of the above presentations with a brief review of the book. Rate the book on a scale of 1 through 10 (ten being one of the best books that you have ever read) and discuss why you gave it that rating. Be specific; don’t just tell us he/she is your favorite author. Why???

Quarters 3/4 format to be decided by the class with teacher guidance.