Reading Counts Revised, February 2015
Requirements for 2014-2015
8th Grade Honors English Classes
Each marking period you will be required to read TWO Reading Counts books at the 5.5 READING LEVEL OR HIGHER. Books at a level below 5.5 will not meet this requirement. Books must be a minimum of 25,000 words in length.
You are responsible for verifying that the reading level and word count are appropriate. Do not wait until after you have completed the book to check. CONFIRM THIS INFORMATION IN THE LIBRARY OR WITH YOUR TEACHER.
You will be required to pass a computerized Reading Counts quiz for each book with a grade of 70% or higher.
Your goal is to read one million words for the year.
Reports for the completed quizzes will be pulled approximately one week before the end of each marking period.
Third Marking Period Deadline: February 27 for first book; Monday, March 23 for second book
Fourth Marking Period Deadline: TBT, Monday, June 1
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BONUS POINTS ARE AVAILABLE!
You may earn 10 bonus points each quarter by reaching the following goals:
Reading 750, 000 words by the end of marking period #3;
Reading 1,000, 000 words by the end of marking period #4.
READING COUNTS IS NOT AN OPTIONAL ACTIVITY. INDEPENDENT READING IS A REQUIREMENT IN 8TH GRADE HONORS ENGLISH. FAILURE TO COMPLETE INDEPENDENT READING CAN AND WILL RESULT IN FAILURE FOR THE MARKING PERIOD!
______Understands the expectations and guidelines for Reading Counts.
______
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BOOK COVER PROJECT
Please complete the following project for your first book due February 27.
  1. _____/10 Create a book cover that reflects a theme from your book. This book cover must be original and neatly done. Printing out the book cover from the internet is not acceptable. You will be graded on color and neatness as well.
  1. The inside of the book cover must contain the following:
-_____/10An explanation of the theme you have chosen for the book cover. What in the story supports that theme?This should be a well-developed paragraph.
-_____/10A brief summary of the plot of the book. Don’t give away the ending!
-_____/10A detailed description of the main character.
-_____/5 A book review. This cannot be “I liked the book because it had a lot of action.” Be specific about what you liked/disliked. A detailed paragraph is required.
  1. ____/5 The outside back cover must have the following:
-Your name and class period
-Title and author
-Fiction or nonfiction and Genre
Total points ______/50
Please note, due to the number of “sloppy” final assignments I have received lately, work that is torn, stained, appears to have been crinkled into a ball, has been carelessly ripped from a notebook, or is in any other way not final copy quality, will be returned, ungraded. Please turn in acceptable work.