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SIX GOLD
INDEPENDENT READING PROGRAM
Independent Reading is a significant part of a sixth grader's development in
Language Arts. It is our 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. Participation
will be graded as homework, class work, and writing assignments.
As we proceed through the school year, we will be providing students
the opportunity to experience a variety of genres through independent
reading. Our intention is to foster the joy of reading and to encourage
students to read more than ever before. What follows is a brief explanation
of the reading program. If you need more details about expectations now, or
at any time throughout the year, please feel free to ask us. The steps of the
program are as follows:
1. Students must choose a book that they find interesting. Making the
choice of what to read is an important part of the independent reading
process. After reading the first chapter or two, they should know if they
like a book or not. We will tell students to choose another book if they
find that what they are reading is boring. Independent reading should be an
enjoyable experience! Students may select a book from home, from the
Mountview library, or from my classroom library. We have quite an extensive
classroom library that is available to students at all times. When borrowing
a book from the classroom, be sure to record it on your borrowing card in the
file box on my desk. When you return a book, please note the date on your
borrowing card and show the book to the teacher before you return it to the
bookshelf. Let us know if you would like to donate any books to our
classroom library. We always have room for more!
All selected books, finished or not, will be recorded in their reading logs.
2. Once students have chosen a book they must bring it to read in class
every day. This will count as a homework assignment twice a week. Part of
our class time will be sustained silent reading time where everyone will read
a book of their choice. The length of the SSR time will depend on the
activities and lessons planned for that day. Reading at home for 20 minutes
each night will be strongly encouraged. Developing this lifetime habit is a
wonderful benefit!
3. When students complete a book, they may begin working on an activity of
their choice at home, but each student must continue to have another book to
read during SSR time. SSR time in class is for silent reading only.
4. Students will be required to read two books each grading period. You may
read as many books as you want each marking period, but we'll approach each
genre together. For example, our first classroom genre will be fantasy.
Students can choose to read any book in this category. Once they complete
their activity about that book, they are encouraged to read any book of their
choice. A list of which genres will be completed each term is included below:
Mrs. Knight's Classes:
Term I: Fantasy and Mystery
Term II: Nonfiction and Biography
Term III: Historical Fiction and Science Fiction
Term IV: Realistic Fiction and Autobiography
Mr. Fredette's Classes:
Term I: Realistic Fiction and Autobiography
Term II: Historical Fiction and Science Fiction
Term III: Nonfiction and Biography
Term IV: Fantasy and Mystery
Our objectives include developing an understanding of what defines each of
these genres as well as determining what type of book individual students
like to read. Developing a habit of reading and interacting with what we
read is an important goal in language arts.
5. Students will have a choice of activity to complete after they finish an
independent reading book. One writing activity and either an art project or
oral presentation will be graded each term. Additional books read will be
included in students' reading logs. Writing activities, oral reports and art
projects are found in the file box on the counter. Students may read about
them during a SSR time, or during an activity period.
6. Grades and Due Dates: Students read at different rates, so the due dates
for independent reading activities are not specifically determined in order
to create a flexible atmosphere. Each student must complete two activities
(one must be a writing activity) each term. Teachers help students budget
their time by strongly encouraging them to pass in one IR graded activity
approximately each month. Independent reading will count 20% of each marking
period.
Incentive: Developing an awareness of what the different genres contain,
experiencing them independently, and learning about ourselves as readers is a
true learning experience. Students who once hated reading found that they
discovered a real interest in true stories (nonfiction) or a love of
mysteries and adventure novels. Everyone is different, and in structuring
the program with that in mind, we will learn from each other as well as begin
to define who we are as individual readers. Have fun with reading!
I have read about Six Gold's Independent Reading Program, and I understand
the requirements and my responsibilities.
_________________________________
________________________
Student Signature date
__________________________________
________________________
Parent Signature date
Name
Mrs. Knight
Class
Date
Fantastic Fantasy!
Genre Studies in Independent Reading
What makes the genre of fantasy different from other types of books and
stories? Something in the story is beyond the limits of reality, whether it
is an aspect of the setting, one or more of the characters, or the way the
characters travel, live or behave. Strange creatures lurk in many fantasy
stories! Fantasy novels expose the limitless imaginations of writers and the
willingness of readers to suspend disbelief as they enjoy these far-fetched
tales. Now that you have completed a novel of your choice in the fantasy
genre, it is time to create a fantastic report!
Step #1: Prewriting/Planning
Fold a piece of lined paper in half lengthwise. Draw a line down the
middle on both sides. At the top write Reality on the left side and Fantasy
on the right side. Using the elements of plot, try to list and explain some
of the most interesting parts of your story. You should have at least 20
details on each side of the page – the more the better!
Step #2: Writing a Realistic Summary
Write a summary paragraph or two about the realistic parts of the
story. Explain the important parts of the story that are actually real – use
your list.
For example:
Realistic Summary
Just at the end of the Great Depression in the 1930’s, a young girl
named Dorothy lived with her Auntie Em and Uncle Henry on a farm in Kansas.
She loved animals, especially her favorite little dog, Toto. Suddenly they
are caught in a terribly destructive tornado. While trying to save her dog,
Dorothy hit her head and became unconscious. Later in the story, many parts
of a new place seem real, even most of the trees in the forest look like real
trees. Dorothy actually walked, skipped and danced her way through the
forests and fields on a yellow brick road while trying to find her way back
to Kansas. She was very frightened at times during her journey! Will she
make it back to Kansas? Will she survive the strange place? You’ll have to
read The Wizard of Oz to find out!
Step #3: Write a Fantastic Summary
Write a summary paragraph (or more) about the FANTASTIC parts of the
story. You must explain what was UNREAL in the book you read. Include as
many elements of plot as needed. Were parts of the setting impossible? Did
the characters possess unbelievable powers? Was the problem related to
something that could not happen in real life?
For example:
Fantastic Summary
The Land of Oz was filled with unreal creatures and
magical beings. A scarecrow, a tin man and a lion actually talk to Dorothy
and are important characters in the story. They express a lot of emotion as
well. This world also has evil witches, good witches, tiny people called
munchkins, and evil flying monkeys. Even some of the trees in the forest
talk and throw apples at Dorothy! It is a very unusual place for Dorothy and
she’s often surprised by what she sees and experiences here.
The place and its characters are completely
imaginary, yet the way it is written makes them all seem quite real. In the
Land of Oz there is a magical Wizard whom Dorothy must find in order to
return to Kansas. The Wicked Witch of the West threatens to prevent Dorothy
from meeting the Wizard and leaving Oz. She gets a lot of help from her new
friends the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion. Will the Wicked
Witch win? Will this fantasy become Dorothy’s reality forever? You’ll have
to read this fantastic book to find out!
Step #4: Edit and Make Corrections
Share your draft with at least one other person – a peer editor, your
teacher, or a parent or older sibling. Read it aloud, listen to their
editorial suggestions and then make improvements. TYPE your final copy and
print it on white or solid color paper. You will need to trim it to fit
inside the space. Follow the Rules for Final Copies (Pink Page).
Step #5: Fantastic Presentation
Reading a Fantasy is like walking through an enchanted door into
another world. Your written presentation will reflect this idea because it
is in the form of a door.
Follow these steps:
1.) Measure 1.5 inches from each side. Make tiny dots using
pencil. Connect the dots lightly.
2.) Cut carefully on only three sides to make it open like a door.
3.) Use glue stick to adhere the background piece to the door
frame. Choose your colors to symbolically relate to your book.
4.) Write your heading on the back of the background.
5.) Draw or paste an illustration to the front of the door. Be sure
to include the author’s name and the underlined book title. You may
create your own picture or select one that has meaning, but you
may not use the picture that was on the actual cover or book
jacket. Your illustration should attempt to show one of the
Fantastic elements in the book.
6.) Decorate the border areas neatly. You may use stickers or clip
art.
7.) Paste the Fantastic Summary in the middle of the open space in
the CENTER of the door opening. When you open the door this
should be what you see.
8.) Paste the Realistic Summary onto the INSIDE of the door. You
should only be able to see this if you open the door all the way.
9.) Check your work!
10.) Pass it in with this assignment page on or before October 15,
2007 for full credit!
Assessment:
________ 1.) Complete all steps of the writing process. (15 points)
________ 2.) Grammar, spelling, mechanics have few if any errors. (25 pts.)
________ 3.) Content is both adequate and appropriate for both summary
paragraphs. (50 points)
________ 4.) The presentation is neat and directions were followed. (10 pts.)
____________ Grade Teacher comments:
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