QUESTIONS ON INDEPENDENT READING

1. How many pages should I read a week?
2. Do I only get pages credit for books I read from your library?
3. What do you mean by genres?
4. How do I keep track of what I read every day?
5. When do I record my weekly reading? When are the reading logs due?
6. How do I keep track of my reading goals for the trimester? How am I graded in independent reading?
7. When do I participate in reading blogs for the trimester?
8. Do I always have to read the minimum number of pages based on the grade I want for my reading goal?
9. Do I need to achieve all the goals listed under a particular grade to receive that grade?
10. When can I check out and return books from the class library?

How many pages should I read a week?

It depends on what grade you want for independent reading.  If you want an A, at least 200, a B, at 
least 150, and a C, at least 100.

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Do I only get pages credit for books I read from your library?

No.  You can use books from any source.  I do require you to read at least 3 books a trimester from 
my library.

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What do you mean by genres?

There are 8 main genres in my library, including:  realistic fiction, short stories, non-fiction, poetry, 
biography, historical fiction, fantasy, and mystery/adventure/horror.  You need to read from all 8 
genres this year, including 2 non-fiction books.  In a trimester you should read from as many of the 
genres listed above as you can.  There are many sub-genres in each of the main genres listed above.  
We'll talk more about them as the year progresses.

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How do I keep track of what I read every day?

Every Thursday night just record the pages you read for each book you were reading during the week.  Make sure you fill out your weekly reading log when you complete or abandon a book; otherwise, you won't be able to record the information if you have already returned the book.

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When do I record my weekly reading? When are the reading logs due?

You record your pages on Thursday night for HOMEWORK, not in class!  Reading logs are due every Friday and no lates are accepted.

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How do I keep track of my reading goals for the trimester? How am I graded in independent reading?

You should copy your reading goals down in the independent reading section of your notebook.  See 
my survival guide (photo/docs page) for details about how you're graded for your reading goals.  Here's a summary of how you're graded.  For an A, you need to average 200 pages per week (100 pages minimum per week), read 600 pages of challenging books (need my approval), read from a variety of different genres plus at least 300 pages in 3 different genres.  For a B, you need to average 150 pages per week, read 300 pages of challenging books, read at least 300 pages in 3 different genres.  For a C, you need to read at least 100 pages per week plus read at least 200 pages in 3 different genres.

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When do I participate in reading blogs for the trimester?

Every trimester you will participate in one Novel Blog.  I will give you a schedule for when we will read each book and tell you about each book so you can make your selection.  You need to read certain pages every night and write one two-sentence entry based on questions I list on my blog.

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Do I always have to read the minimum number of pages based on the grade I want for my reading goal?

Yes, for an A+, 300 pages per week; for an A, 200 pages per week; for a B, 150 pages per week; for a C, 100 pages per week.

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Do I need to achieve all the goals listed under a particular grade to receive that grade?

For the most part, yes.  If you barely miss a couple goals, you could still receive that grade, but it's 
best to make sure you achieve all the goals listed.  If you don't even try to achieve one of the goals, 
you definitiely won't receive the grade for that category. If you are in between grades, your grade will be in the middle of those two grades.  For example, if you do most of the A goals and some B goals, you will probably receive a B+, maybe an A- on your reading goals grade.

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When can I check out and return books from the class library?

Every three weeks we check out books, generally on a Friday.  You can check out up to 3 books at a time.  Don't forget to record your books in your agenda so you know when to return them!  You can also check out books before or after school and when I am in my room at lunch.

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