Independent Reading

Independent Reading / 100 Point Grade

Mr. Fromme's English students are expected to read independently (i.e., books other than those being covered in class) throughout the year. There is a set minimum for each student each nine-week grading period of 500 pages. Students can select any piece of NONFICTION they like (as long as it is not wildly below the reading level appropriate for them) for this assignment. Please note, though, that historical fiction is not nonfiction and should not be selected for independent reading. Students will receive a grade (100 points) based on their progress in independent reading during the nine weeks. While they are required to read at least 500 pages, students are encouraged to challenge themselves to read even more (as much as possible). Students are required to log their independent reading using their online portfolio for English class, where each student should create and maintain a page titled "Independent Reading." 

To receive credit for a book, the student must first complete the book and then provide the following information (in his or her own words--i.e., not copied and pasted from any other source) in his or her Independent Reading web page:

1. The title of the book

2. The author of the book

3. The total number of pages in the book

4. A summary of what the book is about.

5. An assessment of whether the book is good or not (i.e., what the student liked or didn't like about it)

6. An idea of a specific person to whom the book should be recommended (along with some explanation as to why that recommendation should be made)

To meet their reading requirement of 500 pages, students must read at least 8 pages per day on average (a very reachable goal). Be sure to make time to stay on top of your independent reading throughout the nine weeks. Independent reading books can come from the school library, the public library, a home library, or a bookstore; and the books should be of a reading level that is appropriate for the student's reading ability.

Note that this assignment resets every nine weeks. Pages read in one nine-weeks grading period do not carry over to the next. 

Looking for recommendations? Check out this list of books available in the HHS library collection and this list of titles available as ebooks via Sora. And although this assignment typically requires reading nonfiction, students can read (and count) any of the works from this list that they’d like.