Independent Reading Project

You must read 8 books independently by the end of the school year. Each written response will be due the last Friday of each month.

á       The books that you choose to read must span at least three different genres.

á       The books that you choose must be written by at least three different authors.

 

As you read, record observations, ideas, and conclusions based on the written response you will be doing for that book.  Record your thinking and observations on post-it notes placed in the book.

Once you have finished reading a book, you will record a written response.  For some of the books that you read, you will have an assigned written response topic from this list.  For other books that you read, you may choose from the list below, which response to write.  

 

The heading for each written response should follow the form noted below.

Student Name                                          Date

Title of Book, Author of Book                         # of Book Read
                             

                        Written Response # ___

 

Once you have finished writing a response to a book, file the response in your individual folder in class.  Enter the information for the book read on the 'Independent Reading Log'.  This should have already been filed in your individual folder, in class.

 

 

 

Written Response #1: Aha

á       Describe an "Aha" moment.  This is a moment that you have while you are reading that feels like a bright light went on, and you suddenly realize something you hadn't realized before.  This realization could be about the world, people in general, yourself, your family, your friends.  The story makes you think in a way you never have before.

 

Written Response #2:  Shared experience or emotion.

á       Describe an experience or emotion that you share with a character at a particular moment in the story.  How does this shared experience help you to understand the character and how s/he is acting? If you do not relate to a character, explain why. Be very specific. For example, explain a different choice you would make and why. 

 

Written Response #3: Quote

á       Discover a significant passage in the story and respond to it.  What does it mean to you?  Why is it significant?  Why did you choose that particular passage?

 

Written Response #4: CharacterÕs point of view.

á       Write a monologue or diary entry from a characterÕs point of view. Choose a powerful moment from the story, and as if you were that character write a diary entry of monologue that reflects what that character might be thinking or feeling at that point in the story. Refer to our conditions of point of view.

 

Written Response #5: CharacterÕs Choice.

á       We all make choices in life that determine our futures.  Choose a moment in the story where a character makes a significant choice about his or her life.  Do you think he or she made the right decision? Why or why not?  What do you think this course of action will lead to?  Predict what would happen if the character had chosen a different option.

 

Written Response #6: Conflicts and Solutions

á       Stories consist of conflicts and solutions. Choose three conflicts that take place in the story and give the solutions. Is there one that you wish had been handled differently?

 

Written Response #7: Setting

á       What impact does the setting (time and place) have on the way the story unfolds?

 

Written Response #8: Theme

á       Identify what is (to you) the most important theme of the story.  What do you think that the author hopes you remember about the human spirit?

 

Written Response #9: Email Partner

á       Partner up with someone who is reading the same book. Divide the book into four parts. When you have read the first quarter, write an email to your partner about your questions, thoughts, observations, revelations, etc. Your partner is to respond to the email. Do the same for the next three sections of the book. When you finish, print out your emails and responses. Each partner is to have four letters and four responses.