Reading Journal   Instructions

 

Books:              You choose your own books.  You are to have a book in your possession at all times.  If you don’t like the book, abandon it and choose another.  Feel free to read a newspaper but no magazine articles will be accepted as reading log time.

 

Reading:           I believe that we learn to read and write by reading.  Therefore, I expect you to read for a minimum of a half hour each night, four nights per week. 

 

Journal:           You will need a three prong folder with pockets for keeping your reading logs and journals.  Log and Journal forms will be provided for you.  You may be asked to turn in your entire folder OR you may be required to turn in certain sheets.  So, always be prepared by keeping your journals and logs up-to-date.

 

Log entries:      Please keep a log of when and what you read.  It might look like this:

                                    9/12/06     Redwall     pp. 34-50

                                    9/14/06     Redwall     pp. 51-64

                                    9/15/06     The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe     pp. 2-40

                        A parent signature is required for each week. (noted on the form)

                       

                        Twice a week you will write a letter to me in your journal reflecting on what you’ve read.  You do not have to write your letter on a night you read.  Include the date, greeting, and closing.  (See example on back.)

 

                        Do not write a summary!  What you write in your letter should be what you want to remember as a reader and writer.  Written entries are your thoughts, reactions, interpretations, and questions to what you are reading, what you are writing, and what you are observing in the world around you.  Your comments may also be in response to the author’s process as a writer, and your process as a reader, writer, and learner.  Entries should be a minimum of 6-8 well-developed, “advanced” sentences.  Effort counts for everything!  Do NOT turn in entries less than the minimum requirement.  NO CREDIT will be given!

 

If you are unsure what to write about, think about the following:

Quote or point out:      

Quote a part of the reading that you think is an example of good writing.  What did you like about the quote?  What makes you feel this is good writing?  Why do you want to save it?

Experiences or Memories:        

How does this book make you think or feel?  Does this book remind you of anything?  What

comes to mind?  What kind of ideas does this book give you for writing?

Reactions:   

                  Do you love/hate/can’t stop reading this book?  What makes you feel that way?  What reaction do you have to your own writing, the writing of your peers, the world around you?

Questions:

                              What confuses you?  What don’t you understand?  Why did the author do something a particular way?  What would you have done if you were the writer?  What questions do you have about your own writing? What questions do you have about observations of the world around you?

Evaluations:

                   How does this book compare to others you have read?  What makes it an effective or ineffective piece of writing?

_________________________________________________________________

Sample Letter:

                                                                                                                                    9/12/07

Dear Mrs. Campbell,

     I just finished reading the ending of FEVER.  Wow!  I was so shocked when Matilda began to run the coffeehouse on her own. She endured so much throughout her life. I would have given up on the coffeehouse.  I think I would probably have felt relieved to have survived the fever.  The most touching part of this book was when Mattie’s grandfather died.  She must have felt responsible as well as just sad that he had died. My great-grandfather passed away this past summer and I saw many folks around to help everyone deal with the sadness.  Mattie was alone.  I feel very badly for her.  I believe Nell will bring her a lot of happy times.  The child and the responsibilities of running the coffeehouse will keep her very busy!

                                                                                                            Your student-              

                                                                                                            Agatha Abopplemania

__________________________________________________________________

 

Grading:  Logs will be collected and graded every two weeks.  It’s your job to remember when your journal is due!  The following schedule is to help you get started!

 

Group 1:        Last Names A-E

 

Group 2:        Last Names F-Z

Friday, September 14th (2 letters)

Friday, September 21st (4 letters)

Friday, September 28th (4 new letters)

Friday, October 5th (4 new letters)

Friday, October 12th (4 new letters)

Etc.

Friday, October 19th (4 new letters)

Etc.

 

adapted from Seeking Diversity: Language Arts with Adolescents  by Linda Rief

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please detach and return this slip.

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I am aware that my son or daughter, ____________________________, is required to keep a Reading Journal in which he or she records his or her responses to independent reading at home. I also recognize that it is necessary for an adult to sign the reading log each week in order to verify that the reading is being done.

 

____________________________________________                    ______________________

                                               Parent’s Signature                                                                 Date