Independent Reading Project for Marking Period Three -- Details and Due Dates
Overview: Students are to read a historical fiction novel on their own and complete a Response to Literary Text following the 5 paragraph structure and expectations given in class. Each student has a copy of this information in his or her binder and on my blog (mrswaldsclass.blogspot.com see posting from November 3, 2010). Students will have one half hour of class time per week for reading and/or writing workshop on their books. Students will be expected to spend an hour of their own time at home every week on the same. Students will be held accountable through “Green Sheet” checks and informal one-minute book shares.
November 19: Library time to select book (or select over weekend, but have one by Monday)
November 23: Green sheet* and one-minute book talk due
November 30: Green sheet* and one-minute book talk due
December 7: Green sheet* and one-minute book talk due
December 14: Green sheet* and one-minute book talk due
December 21: Green sheet* and one-minute book talk due
**** Finish book over December Break, if not done before then****
January 3: Writing Workshop in class -- first draft Response to Text
January 5: First draft due and peer conferences in class
January 10: Second draft Response to Text due (double spaced). Peer editing in class
January 13: Final draft of Response to Text due. Response to Text must be typed or in cursive and
single spaced. All drafts and feedback need to be attached behind final.
January 13 &14: Formal Book Talks in class. Book Talk should be one to two minutes long, include a
visual component, and address: title, author, main characters and description, historical
aspects, basic plot, setting, theme, conflict and resolution.
*Green Sheet is a log of pages read with a brief summary. Students will keep their green sheet in their binder or use it as a book mark, and will present it at the start of class on “due dates”. It will be checked and immediately returned. Parents: Please ask to see it occasionally to help your child stay on target for completion of book in the allotted time.
