20 Book Challenge

20 Book Challenge Directions

Goal

The purpose of the 20-book challenge is to help structure reading at home. My goal is to get students reading “good fit” books for about 30 minutes a night. A good fit book is a book your student will enjoy reading on their own, that will still challenge them as a reader. A good measure is to have them read a page out loud, if they are making 2-3 mistakes per page this could be a good fit for your student. I am asking that for books to qualify for the challenge they should be chapter books (including graphic novels). If you have another book you would like me to consider, please have your child ask before turning in a report. The most important thing is that your child is reading, so I am more than happy to be flexible on the kind of book.

Pacing Guidelines

Quarter 1 – 5 books read by October 14th

Quarter 2 – 5 books read by December 16th

Quarter 3 – 5 books read by March 3rd

Quarter 4 – 5 Books read by May 12th 

We will hold a celebration at the end of the year for all students who complete all 20 books by May 12th.

Grades

The 20-book challenge will be a portion of your students reading effort grades. 5 book reports will be due each quarter, in order to stay on pace for the challenge:

5 books =100% effort 

4 books = 80% effort 

3 books = 60% effort 

2 books = 40% effort 

1 book = 20% effort

Book Calendars

Families will be given a choice between two different book calendars. Easy Mode Calendar does not require students to try out different genres. This may be a good choice for students emerging as readers. Hard Mode Calendar requires students to be introduced to a variety of genres. This is a great way to introduce fluent readers to a variety of topics and challenging vocabulary.

This choice is one way to differentiate to help meet your child’s needs. A challenge for one child may not be a challenge for another child. Once you picked which calendar you want to use, cross the other one out and send me a note telling me which one you choose.

No matter what choice is made, students should keep the 20 Book Challenge Calendar in their stay-home folder. Students will write in the title of the book and date they turned in the report on their calendar. Parents can initial in the corner of the box. By initialing the calendar, you are signing off that you feel this was a “good fit” book for your student.

Book Reports

Upon completing a book, students must complete a book report. I will have copies of a basic template students may use for book reports. The templates are designed to be used as a guideline and students may write a book report without using the templates. Book reports should be at least 2 paragraphs in length. If a project is not accepted due to being incomplete, I will return it to the student to make corrections. This is oen the case when students do not complete the report with enough information. All book reports that are accepted will be kept in class and filed.

The Process

Here is what this should look like for the students. 

1) Finish a book

2) Write a book report and turn in

3) Write the title of the book in the calendar with the date of completion

4) Have parent initial calendar

5) Read another book

Any Questions?

If at any time you or your child have questions about a book or the challenge, please don’t hesitate to ask.