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All students should read independently, during free moments in class,
at night, on long drives or even in the bathroom. It is a habit that is
encouraged quite a bit on the team. Students are required to put in a
half hour of free reading time each day. They should always be reading
a novel of their choosing in addition to whatever they are reading for
class. Often, the novel they are reading on their own will be the subject
of their reader response journal.
A reader response journal is a record of thoughts provoked by reading.
Each student will keep a journal and hand it in every other week, unless
otherwise noted. The kids should talk about the characters of their book,
the plot, the relationship between characters, and predictions, among
other things. There should be two pages (one side equals a page) of journal
entries to be graded on the due date. Journals are worth up to 50 points
and are graded on depth of thought.
As a standing English assignment, students should read a book each night
for a half-hour. Sometimes, when students finish assignments in class,
they will pull out their books and read quietly. Students should read
as much good material as possible. If students find good material to read,
their lives will be enriched and their learning will increase. For these
reasons, students are encouraged to read constantly and think about what
they are reading.
To help students focus on their reading, they will keep Reader Response
Journals. Every two weeks, they will hand in their journals, with two
pages written about their books. All students should write the title of
the book they are reading at the top of the first page of their journal.
The comments students write should have some depth to them. They should
discuss the characters, plot, themes, details of the story, interaction
between characters, and traits that they find likeable or detestable.
An example of a GOOD reader response journal:
Book: Fahrenheit 451
I thought that Montag should have quit being a fireman but now I think
that is not the reason for his unhappiness. I hope he listens well to
the professor because I think the professor knows what’s going on.
I don’t like Beatty. He tries to get everybody to do the same thing
he does and feel the way he feels and he doesn’t realize what he
is saying is wrong and he isn’t educated enough to know what’s
happening. I think Mildred is a grown up child who takes what is given
but doesn’t do anything extra. I think Mildred is one of the little
vegetables the government would like. I think Ray Bradbury’s book
but I hope the world in the future is totally different.
An example of a LACKING reader response journal:
Book: Island of the Blue Dolphin
I’ve been reading Island of the Blue Dolphin and I think it’s
really terrible how Karana gets stranded on the island with her brother
getting killed.
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