Why do we have to do these? What's the point?
Reading at home is a daily responsibility for all students. The BES expectation for at-home reading is 20 minutes (or more) per night. The RR journal is an essential part of your reading because it is a two-way dialogue between you and I about the book(s) you are reading at home. It allows me to see what kind of books and characters you enjoy and is a way of holding you accountable for reading at home.
How will the RR journal help me with my reading?
Again, it allows me to see what you are reading, make recommendations, and discuss your book with you. Doing open-ended questions like this shows me how well you are comprehending what you are reading, thinking about characters' problems and traits, and much more!
This seems like it might also help with my writing.
Totally. Practice never hurt anyone.
Can I type my RR?
Yes, you can! Complete it in a Google Doc and share it with me, or copy/paste into an email. I will reply with feedback.
What is the scoring format?
While most open-ended questions on SBAC and in unit tests are scored on a 0-1-2 scale, I have added a score point of 3 for students who choose to go "above and beyond." The expectation is that all students will score a 2 each time. There will be an opportunity for make-up points at the end of each term for students requiring more practice. Please review your response using the rubric before turning it in to ensure that it is your best work!
How long should my entry be?
It's more about quality than quantity, but the general guideline is that a "2" response is about half a page, and a "3" is at least a full page in length.
How can I keep track of my scores?
You can use the score sheet I provided that you glued/taped into the inside back cover of your journal.
Can I have another copy of the questions?
Yes. Click here. (source: TpT- Fourth and Ten Educational Resources)
Can I choose the same question over and over again?
I'm not going to say no, but I am also not encouraging it. Try to pick a variety of questions.
I prefer reading non-fiction books.
Yeah? Did you notice the equal number of fiction and non-fiction questions on the question sheet? Seriously, totally fine and you are encouraged to read non-fiction books at home!
I'm working on a Literature Circle book, Book Report, Book Club, or other project that requires me to read a certain book. Can I just use that book for my RR that week?
YES!
I'm really getting hassled about this, Mr. Barrieau. Can my parent/guardian see a sample of a good reading response?
You mean besides one of yours? Refer them to the sample on the rubric page linked below.