Independent Reading
Another reason to make reading a habit! Check out this article from the New York Times about the new SAT and the importance of habitual reading:
How should students prepare [for the new test]? By reading often and diving into various kinds of texts, especially nonfiction, tutors say. That’s more a long-term strategy than a quick test-prep trick. Habitual reading can also help on the writing section, which will demand prolonged concentration. To answer questions about grammar, punctuation and usage, students will have to wade through extended passages relating to history, humanities and science.
What’s true of the writing section is true of the new SAT in general: There’s much more to read. “The most fundamental change is that there are many, many more words,” said Aaron Golumbfskie, education director for PrepMatters. “If you don’t read well and happily, this test isn’t going to be your friend.” Even the math section will require more reading, with fewer questions based on equations and more word problems. |
Our goals in reading this year...
- Find titles, authors, and genres that we LOVE to read!
- Learn to articulate our own opinions about what makes good writing
- Become better writers
- Reduce stress through our time spent reading
- Increase our reading comprehension levels
- Increase our reading stamina
- Improve our vocabularies
What is our plan? This year you will be tracking your independent reading. We will read for 40-50 minutes during class each week. During this time, Mrs. Spaman may ask to conference with you about your reading. By using your reading rate for the title you are currently reading, you will set weekly page goals, and you will communicate those goals with Mrs. Spaman through the form posted below.
What is a reading rate? The books you read this year will likely vary in difficulty level. Everything from a book's complexity and vocabulary to the font and size of page will affect the amount of time it takes you to read it. To help you set appropriate goals each week, you will calculate your reading rate for each new book you start. Your reading rate is really just the number of pages you are able to read comfortably in 10 minutes.
How will this be graded? Each weekly goal sheet will be worth 10 formative points. The more significant grades for reading will come at the end of each marking period when you will create reading ladders and write about the titles you have read. Please understand that there really is no benefit to lying about your reading progress--it will end up being more work for you in the long run!
Can I change books if I don't like my first choice? Yes. When you change books, you will just need to calculate your new reading rate on your own.
Please take this as an opportunity to find something you LOVE to read--fiction, nonfiction, graphic novel, ANYTHING!
What is a reading rate? The books you read this year will likely vary in difficulty level. Everything from a book's complexity and vocabulary to the font and size of page will affect the amount of time it takes you to read it. To help you set appropriate goals each week, you will calculate your reading rate for each new book you start. Your reading rate is really just the number of pages you are able to read comfortably in 10 minutes.
How will this be graded? Each weekly goal sheet will be worth 10 formative points. The more significant grades for reading will come at the end of each marking period when you will create reading ladders and write about the titles you have read. Please understand that there really is no benefit to lying about your reading progress--it will end up being more work for you in the long run!
Can I change books if I don't like my first choice? Yes. When you change books, you will just need to calculate your new reading rate on your own.
Please take this as an opportunity to find something you LOVE to read--fiction, nonfiction, graphic novel, ANYTHING!
Reading assignments and handouts:
|