Independent Reading Project

Here at Booker T. we aim to cultivate and foster a culture of reading which prioritizes daily in-school and at-home reading. Over the course of the school year, students will be held accountable for reading 20 books independently (5 books a marking period).

Reading is important because:

• reading helps our brains process new thoughts more quickly and efficiently
• reading brings to a person: knowledge, new and rich vocabulary, exposure to “good writing,” conversations with characters both real and invented, communication of ideas, conceptual travels through time, space, and place, etc.

To help you meet the school’s independent reading requirement in a meaningful and enriching (and hopefully fun and enjoyable) way, you will partake in an independent reading project that includes book clubs and journaling during the course of the school year. Sometimes you will choose books from lists that contain classic modern literature books or essential teen literature books that link to what we’re studying in class. Other times you will be able to pick whatever book you like. It will be your responsibility to either purchase or borrow these books. More specific instructions about journaling is located on the Reader Response Journal page.