Independent Reading
Independent Reading
Independent reading is a part of the 8th grade curriculum. Reading reduces stress, increases vocabulary, increases knowledge of the world around a person, increases a person’s memory, and creates critical thinking skills.
All students will:
Be responsible for reading at least one book from fantasy, realistic fiction, mystery, historical fiction, science fiction, non-fiction, biography, or autobiography.
Be responsible for selecting books that are appropriate for his/her reading level and interest.
Be responsible for creating book commercial and presenting on due date.
Be responsible for maintaining reading log and personal vocabulary list of new or interesting words, page number in the book, and correct definition of the word as used in your book.
Grades will be entered at mid-quarter, then replaced with an end of quarter final grade. This provides students and parents to identify independent reading progress.
Mid quarter grade will be figured by half of the end of the quarter grade. Ex. 500 pages = 4, 400 = 3, 300 = 2, 200 = 1.
INDEPENDENT READING Grading
1,000 pages read + reading log, vocabulary log, and project = 4
800-999 pages read + reading log, vocabulary log, and project= 3
600-799 pages read +reading log, vocabulary log, and project = 2
400-599 pages read + reading log, vocabulary log, and project= 1
Sign and return to Mrs. Perry.
*************************ThankYou********************************
Student and Parent/Guardian reply:
We have read and discussed all information regarding Independent Reading requirements.
____________________________________Student Signature
Print________________________________Parent/Guardian signature
Sign________________________________
Goal: Parent/student agree on number of pages to be read per quarter.
Quarter goal: ______________pages
PROJECT DIRECTIONS/ IDEAS
Due dates:
October 10th, 11th, 14th, and 15th
December 12th, 13th, 16th, 17th
March 5th, 6th, 9th, 10th
May 21, 22, 26th 27th
Book Commercial
You will give a 4-5 minute book talk to your peers. The purpose of this presentation is to “sell” your book of choice to the audience. After your book talk, everyone should want to read your book!
Create the following:
Google Slides
Poster
Video
Any other idea must be teacher approved
You pick your passion - connect the book to your passion. Love sports - cover a Tshirt with quotes that reflect the theme of your book. Love to bake - make a cake
to reflect the theme of your book.
3. Connect it to the standard
Your “Book Commercial” must include the following:
1. Introduction of your book
An interesting statement or question to grab the audience’s attention.
Title, Author, Genre
Picture of the book cover (may use the actual book, a printed
Image, drawing, etc.
2. Story Map - must be displayed in pictures and words
Summary statement
Two quotes that are meaningful to you about the book. Explain why they are
meaningful
Include main characters, setting, and main problem
No solution - No spoilers!
3. Additional information
Provide additional information so you audience can better
understand your recommendation. Choose at least ONE of the following
I. Favorite scene - Something that you thought was moving, suspenseful,
funny, or exciting.
ii. Favorite Character - Describe your favorite character using quotes,
thoughts, or some of their actions from the story.
iii. Author’s purpose - Why do you think the author wrote the book? What’s the
theme.
Reading Targets:
Learning Targets:
RL8.1 I can cite information from the text.
RL8.2 I can determine the theme or central idea by understanding how
characters respond to problems.
RL8.2 I can summarize the text.
RL8.5 I can analyze a character's point of view.
RL8.10 I can read literature written at an 8th grade level
W8.2 I can write to inform others.
W8.4 I can produce organized information for the appropriate purpose.
W8.6 I can use technology to present information.
L 8.1 I can use correct grammar when speaking.
L 8.2 I can use correct spelling for presentations.
SL8.5 I can use multimedia to add interest and clarification.
SL8.6 I can speak appropriately for different audiences.
Book Presentation
*Favorite Scene - Something that was moving, suspenseful, funny or exciting
Favorite Character - Describe your favorite character using quotes
Author’s Purpose - Why do you think the author wrote the book? What is the theme or message
Reading Log
Select a book to read. Record the title, author, total page numbers, genre code, and date completed.
Types of Books
Fantasy Biography or Autobiograpy
Science Fiction Mystery
Realistic Fiction Historical Fiction
E = easy JR = Just right C = challenging
Personal Vocabulary List
Why should kids read?
1. Kids who read often and widely get better at it. This is pretty much just common sense. After all, practice makes perfect in almost everything we humans do and reading is no different.
2. Reading exercises our brains. Reading is a much more complex task for the human brain than, say, watching TV is. Reading strengthens brain connections and actually builds new connections.
3. Reading improves concentration. Again, this is a bit of a no-brainer. Children have to sit still and quietly so they can focus on the story when they’re reading. If they read regularly as they grow up, they develop the ability to do this for longer and longer periods.
4. Reading teaches children about the world around them. Through reading, they learn about people, places and events outside their own experience. They are exposed to ways of life, ideas and beliefs about the world which may be different from those which surround them. This learning is important for its own sake however it also builds a store of background knowledge which helps younger children learn to read confidently and well.
5. Reading improves a child’s vocabulary, leads to more highly-developed language skills and improves the child's ability to write well. This is because children learn new words as they read but also because they unconsciously absorb information as they read about things like how to structure sentences and how to use words and language effectively.
6. Reading develops a child’s imagination. This is because when we read our brains translate the descriptions we read of people, places and things into pictures. When we’re engaged in a story, we’re also imagining how the characters are feeling. We use our own experiences to imagine how we would feel in the same situation.
7. Reading helps kids develop empathy. This is something I’ve only recently realised but it makes sense. As my fifteen-year-old son said to me when we were discussing it, ‘Of course it does because you’re identifying with the character in the story so you’re feeling what he’s feeling.’
8. Because reading does all the things I've mentioned above, children who read do better at school. And they don’t just do better at subjects like reading, English and history. They do better at all subjects and they do better all the way through school.
9. Reading is a great form of entertainment! A paperback book doesn't take up much space so you can take it anywhere and you’ll never be lonely or bored if you have a book in your bag. You can read while waiting in a queue, while waiting for a friend who’s running late or during a flight delay at an airport.
10. Reading relaxes the body and calms the mind. This is an important point because these days we seem to have forgotten how to relax and especially how to be silent.
The constant movement, flashing lights and noise which bombard our senses when we’re watching TV, looking at a computer or playing an electronic game are actually quite stressful for our brains. When we read, we read in silence and the black print on a white page is much less stressful for our eyes and brains.
from http://www.best-books-for-kids.com/benefits-of-reading.html
Guys Read a web-based literacy program for boys founded by author and First National Ambassador of Young People’s Literature Jon Scieszka.