Reading Journals

Independent Reading Journal Expectations

You will write in your journal as soon as you come in the room.

You will have three minutes.

Write about what you have already read before you came to class.

1. Today’s Date
2. Title of Book and the author’s name
3. Page number you ended on
4. (1-2 complete sentences) Explain what you read and BE SPECIFIC by mentioning actual characters and events from the book.
5. (1-2 complete sentences) Give your thoughts (possible sentence starters):
   • When I read that, I thought…
   • I think this is important because…
   • This makes me wonder…
   • I think the author is trying to say that…
   • This reminds me of…
   • I noticed that…
   • This keeps happening because…
   • The character is doing that because…
   • This will change things because…
   • The lesson the character is learning is…

You will get a good grade if:

1. It is evident that you are truly reading the book.
2. You are complete with your information.
3. Your entries are well-organized and I can read them.

You will get an independent reading grade every week.

This is more often than any other type of formative assignment.

It’s important to take it seriously.