Independent Reading Expectations

Why should you/your child read? 

Studies have consistently shown that independent reading improves fluency, comprehension, writing, and vocabulary.

If a student reads 20 - 30 minutes a day (including reading in class and study hall), they should be reading between 15-20 pages a day on average. That is a minimum of 75 to 100 pages a week. 

How do I know what to read?

You can choose to read any book you would like.  You can read fiction or nonfiction.  You need to make sure that it is a book you can comprehend on your own.  After reading the first 2-5 pages, ask yourself the following questions:  

1.  Were there more than five words on each page that I didn’t know? (If yes, ask yourself if the word choice is making it hard for you to comprehend.)

2.  Can I summarize what I just read, either in my head or out loud, for someone else?   (If not, you might be able to read this book with help from an adult, but it’s probably not a good book for you to read on your own.)

How do I keep track of my independent reading? 

When you finish a book, you sign up for a 1-minute book talk/ conference with your ELA teacher and receive stickers for that book. You need to bring the book to the conference with your teacher.  Your reading record document is the official record of the books you’ve read this year. 

How many pages do I have to read to get a sticker? 

125 pages!  Extra pages carry over towards the next sticker. All pages are cumulative. All pages count. For example, if one book is 100 pages and another book is 150 pages, together they get 2 stickers because every page adds to the next to meet the goal.

How many stickers should I have by the end of each quarter? 

Each student should have at least 5 stickers, or 625 pages read, by the end of each quarter.  By the end of the year, the goal is to have 20 stickers, or 2500 pages total.  

**All books count, including picture books, graphic novels, and poetry. (No magazines)

**Graphic novels count as 50% of a page since they have many illustrations and fewer words. 

What else do I need to do? 

Come prepared with at least 7 to 10 post-it note annotations throughout the book.  Annotations can include examples of the 6 sign posts, new/unknown words, 1 sentence summaries, predictions, connections, and questions. 

You will be sharing what you read with your classmates.  That way, we’ll get to hear about lots of great books throughout the school year.  When you finish your book, you will have various options for sharing your reading with your classmates each quarter, including recording a book talk, creating a book trailer, or posting a book review for others to view. 

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I, _________________________, have read and understand the independent reading expectations.  

Student Signature_____________________________________________________  Date _______________

Parent Signature _____________________________________________________   Date _______________

Just remember, the most important thing is that you enjoy what you read! 

Happy reading!

Explanation of book talks and STICKERS

Studies have proved time and time again that independent reading increases fluency, comprehension, and writing.

If a student reads 30 minutes a day (including reading in class and study hall, which happens daily) they should be reading 20-30 pages a day.

That is a minimum of 100 pages a week. 

When you finish a book, they do a 1-minute book talk/ conference with me and receive stickers for that book. You need to bring the book in for the conference with me. I will then sign the books read list in your binder, which is the official record of books read. 

During the 1-2 minute book conference, students should be prepared to answer questions about characters, setting, make connections, identify problems, solutions, conflicts, antagonists, and protagonists.  

For informative texts, students should be able to share facts, cause and effect, description, and sequence of events.

All pages are cumulative. All pages count. For example: If one book is 100 pages and another book is 150 pages, together they get 2 stickers because every page adds to the next to meet the goal.

• Students receive a sticker for every 125 pages read when they complete the book. Extra pages carry over towards the next sticker.

• They are encouraged to have 10 stickers each semester or 5 stickers each quarter

• ALL BOOKS ARE ACCEPTABLE. (Home, library, Amazon, etc.)