Independent Reading

In addition to the work done as a class, you will be expected to read 800 pages of independently-chosen reading per semester, selected from any of the reading lists attached to the various units—or from a work of comparable significance that you verify with the teacher as acceptable.  Either way, complete an entry in the Book Choice Log (see attachment above to the left) as or before you begin.

When beginning the reading, you should look at the Book Chat projects (see attachment above to the right) so that you can prepare for the chat; when you finish (or are close to finished), you should then sign up for a chat (sign-up sheets are posted in the classroom) so that when finished with the reading selection and project credit can be earned for the book read.

Credit for Independent Reading can also be earned by making it a substantial part of one of your course essays—this means discussing it in some detail, with relevant quotes, and including its bibliographic details at the end of the essay.

Overall, this constitutes approximately 5% of the course grade, so you neither need to worry tremendously nor choose to completely sacrifice this relatively easy means of buoying your grade!  Get done what you can early—zeros will be put in early in the semester, not as a penalty but a reminder—also, chat slots fill up later in the semester, so putting it off isn't a plan for success.  All credit earned will be fully granted as soon as the assignment is complete.