An Independent Reading Notebook is a combination of personal reflections and a reading log for books you read independently. By having to think about what you’re reading, you will become a stronger reader and writer. You are to have 2 entries per week. Each entry should be for 30 minutes of reading. You will present these books to the class in your book jackets and booktalks.
How to set up the notebook?
Leave the first 4 pages of the spiral notebook for the Table of Contents. The Table of Contents should look like this:
page # (of the notebook) date name of the book pages read total # of minutes
Number the rest of the pages on the top, right-hand corner, starting with page 1. Keep the left side (or back of the page) blank for my comments.
What goes in an entry?
Each entry should have the title of the book (the first time include the author and genre) and the date at the top. Then write:
TS: (Time started) PS: (Page started)
TF: (Time finished) PF: (Page finished)
Each entry should consist of a summary, reflections, and vocabulary words, and should be at least 5 sentences long.
Summary
The summary can be as short as one sentence. I just need to know what’s going on so I can follow your entries.
Personal reflections can include:
Predictions
Connections to personal life
Connections to what you’re learning in school
Connections to other books, movies, songs, etc.
Questions (maybe I can answer them)
Great Quotes (always write the page #)
Favorite Parts
Examples of author’s style you particularly like
Drawings
Vocabulary Words
Just write the word and page #. Don’t stop to look it up in the dictionary.
