Choice Reading

The only consistent homework in Reading is that students should plan to read a book of their choice at home. I ask you to read TWO HOURS each week outside of school. (Research shows that the best way to become a better reader (and writer) is to do more reading.)

This can all be done in whatever works for your schedule: all at once (say...2 hours on Sunday night), in two sittings (maybe an hour on Saturday and Sunday), or (ideally) 20 minutes per night.

Reading Goals:

Students will set a reading goal (usually weekly) for the number of pages you will read in a week. I ask you to keep track of how many pages you read at home and record it on the Reading Record Sheet each day during SSR.

I RECOMMEND that students use a piece of paper as a bookmark. When you start reading at night, write the date and page number where you start out on the bookmark. When you finish, record where you ended. You can do the math and record the pages when you get to class. Use whatever system works for you - I won't ask to see your bookmark or anything. But I WILL ask you to record your pages over the week.

It is ok to put down a zero for a particular day - we all have things that keep us busy at night. What matters is that you plan time to read and aim to meet your page goal for the week.

IF YOU DON'T MEET YOUR GOAL, but you did read two hours outside of class, talk to me. If we can figure out why you didn't meet your goal (Was it just too high to begin with? Is the book a more difficult read? Were you out sick for two days?), we can adjust your initial goal so that you get credit for choice reading that week.

Reading Conferences: 

Students will conference regularly with Ms. Faircloth. We will discuss a variety of things - what you are reading, how you are liking it, what you are noticing about it as a reader, what you want to read next...

As long as it is apparent that you are reading and thinking about what you are reading, this is a "slam dunk" kind of conversation. Just make sure you are reading for at least 2 hours outside of class each week and you'll be fine.