INDEPENDENT READING PROMPTS
First Grading Period
Directions: While at the Independent Reading Center you must address the prompts below. You will have two class sessions to complete each of the writing responses. At the top of the response you must include the date, the name of the author and the book you are reading.
Week 1:
MAIN IDEA
Write a one-paragraph summary about what you have read so far. Remember to include: Somebody (main characters) Wanted (goal) But (problem) So (attempted solutions to the problem).
Week 2:
Think of a symbol that represents the main idea of the story that you are reading. Now explain why you chose that symbol to describe the main idea.
Week 3:
FACTS AND DETAILS
List at least three facts or details from the story that supports the main idea.
Week 4:
Describe you favorite part of the story. Use at least three facts or details to support your opinion.
Week 5:
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Think about a major event that occurred in the story. Explain what caused this event to happen. What were the effects on the characters?
Week 6:
Make a timeline briefly describing in order the major events that have taken place.
Week 7:
COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Compare yourself to the main character of the story. How are you alike and different from this character?
Week 8:
Compare the book you are reading now to another book you have read. How are they alike? How are they different?
END OF THE GRADING PERIOD ACTIVITY
Week nine:
Design a book cover for the book you are reading. Write a brief and exciting summary that would make others want to read this book. Share it with a classmate.
INDEPENDENT READING PROMPTS
Second Grading Period
Directions: While at the Independent Reading Center you must address the prompts below. You will have two class sessions to complete each of the writing responses. At the top of the response you must include the date, the name of the author and the book you are reading.
Week 1:
PLOT DEVELOPMENT/ POINT OF VIEW
Think about and describe the person who is telling the story. Give three examples from the book to support your answer.
Week 2:
Write five words to describe your favorite character. Give examples for each word. Draw a picture of your character if you would like.
Week 3:
CONTEXT CLUES
Choose 5 words from the story. Write down the sentence that contains the word. Circle the word and underline the clues that help you understand the meaning of the word.
Week 4:
Find 5 words that contain prefixes and/or suffixes. Write down the prefix and/or suffixes meaning and how this changes the definition of the word. For example: Unfamiliar, un-not, not known.
Week 5:
CONSTRUCTS MEANING FROM A VARIETY OF TEXTS
Think about a situation from the book you are reading that is similar to a situation you have experienced. Now explain why these situations are related.
Week 6:
Think about a book you have read that had an impact on your life. What lesson did you learn from the book?
Week 7:
IDENTIFIES THE AUTHOR’S PURPOSE AND POINT OF VIEW IN A VARIETY OF TEXTS
Use the trick for author’s purpose: P-persuade I-inform E-entertain S-share an experience. Decide what the author’s purpose was in writing this story and explain the purpose.
Week 8:
If you had the chance to meet the author of the book what questions would you ask?
Write down at least 8 questions to ask the author.
Week 9:
END OF THE GRADING PERIOD ACTIVITY
Choose one book you have read and make a map of the setting. Label the important areas.
INDEPENDENT READING PROMPTS
Third Grading Period
Directions: While at the Independent Reading Center you must address the prompts below. You will have two class sessions to complete each of the writing responses. At the top of the response you must include the date, the name of the author and the book you are reading.
Week 1:
DIFFERENTIATES FACT AND OPINION
Write down 5 facts from the story. Now change these facts into opinions.
Week 2:
Think about one of the characters from your story and how they feel about certain things. Now write a letter to that character to convince them to change their mind.
Week 3:
Describe the most exciting part of the book you are reading. Draw a picture of what you wrote about.
Week 4:
Write a one-paragraph summary about the book you are reading
Week 5:
Write a new title for the book you are reading. Explain why you chose this new title.
Week 6:
Write a new ending to the book you have just finished or for the last chapter you have read.
Week 7:
Write a twenty-word description of the book you are reading. Use exactly twenty words.
Week 8:
Think about a movie that is similar to a book that you have read. Explain why the book and the movie are alike.
Week 9:
END OF THE GRADING PERIOD ACTIVITY
Design a bookmark about your favorite book. Remember to include the story elements, such as characters, setting, problem and resolution.
INDEPENDENT READING PROMPTS
Fourth Grading Period
Directions: While at the Independent Reading Center you must address the prompts below. You will have two class sessions to complete each of the writing responses. At the top of the response you must include the date, the name of the author and the book you are reading.
Week 1:
Write a summary about a book you have read. Remember to include: who, what, why, when and how in your summary.
Week 2:
Pretend the main character of your book is stranded on an island in the South Pacific. What 3 luxury items would they take and why would they pick those 3 items?
Week 3:
Develop a mathematics word problem using the characters and information from the story.
Week 4:
Write a poem about a story that you have read.
Week 5:
Take the role of one of the characters in your book. Write 3 diary enteries as that character and explain how you feel about certain situations taking place in the story.
Week 6:
Think about a character in your book that is very different than you. Describe the differences between you and that character.
Week 7:
Answer the following question starters. This book made me…
wish that… hope that… feel that… wonder about… realize that… feel that…
see that… decide that…
Week 8:
Make a list of 10 facts from the story. Put stars next to the ones that are new information you just learned.
Week 9:
END OF THE GRADING PERIOD ACTIVITY
Draw a series of scenes from the book you are reading. Make sure the scenes are in order. Write a brief description of each scene. Share with a classmate.