| Independent Reading is a significant part of a sixth grader's development in
language arts. It is my hope that this program provides all readers with
enough choices so that everyone can find something out there that they enjoy
reading. Listed below are the requirements for the program, which runs from
September 2nd through May 31st.
6 GOLD - Mrs. Knight
NOTICE REGARDING INDEPENDENT READING PROGRAM
As we proceed through the school year, I will be providing you the
opportunity to experience a variety of genres through independent reading.
My intention is to foster the joy of reading in you and to encourage you to
read more than ever before.
What follows is a brief explanation of the reading program. If you
need more details after reading this or at any time throughout the course of
the independent reading program, please feel free to ask me. The steps of
the program are as follows:
1. Be prepared for sustained silent reading everyday. You must
have a book to read in class everyday. I may even do occasional book checks
that will count as a homework assignment. The length of the SSR time will
depend on the activities and lessons planned for that day. If you are close
to completing a book, you should have a second book in case the first book
is finished. We have quite an extensive classroom library that is available
to you at all times. When borrowing a book from the classroom, be sure to
record it on your borrowing card in the file box.
2. You will read as many books as you can, and class and individual
incentive plans will be developed.
3. Students can choose books of any genre but are required to read
one book of each of the following genres during the independent reading
program. Books chosen must be at least 125 pages long. Genres:
biography or autobiography
fantasy
classic
mystery
non-fiction (other than a biography)
realistic fiction
historical fiction
science fiction
4. For each book that is read, students must complete a book
recommendation sheet. These pages will be graded and will then be
available to other students as they try to choose new books to read.
Students must receive at least a 70 on the recommendation card in order for
it to count as a genre read on the classroom chart.
To keep yourself organized, plan on passing in one recommendation
card per month from September until May. Although that will fulfill the
minimum requirement, I hope that all students will read even more!
Reminders will be given in class for recommendation card due dates, but I
will be expecting at least one from each student by the last day of class
each month.
5. Book chats will be held every few weeks where students can share
books that they have found particularly interesting. They will be run by
two different students each week. You will be notified of your book chat
date as well as the requirements for the book chat soon.
6. Recommendation cards will be graded monthly. At the end of the
reading program in May, students will receive a culminating grade for the
entire reading program. Students can receive a 100 in the program by
reading all eight genres and completing recommendation cards that receive at
least a 70 for a grade by the end of the program. Each of the genres read
must be approved by me, and I should have initialed that approval on the
student’s reading chart.
7. In January and May, students will be asked to perform book
talks about their current novel or one that has been recently read.
Information and specific directions for the book talks will be distributed
as those dates draw nearer.
I hope that this program will encourage students to read a variety
of books and to choose books that they will enjoy. I hope that through
recommendation cards and book chats students will talk and write more about
the books they have chosen. I am really looking forward to continued
success and fun with reading!
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