Reading and Writing: books

If you want to read a book independently, this assignment is for you!  Here’s what it looks like:
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• You choose a book you want to read and get it approved by me
  • Talk to me (Christine, your unavoidable English teacher) so you have a clear understanding of the Ind R&W process (1 pt)
  • If you need a new syllabus (whaaat? you LOST the copy Christine wrote out for you? sigh...), print it here:
    • R&W Fiction syllabus
    • R&W Nonfiction syllabus

 

• You’ll receive between 10 and 30 points for reading the book itself, based on a combination of the book’s length and its Lexile score (complexity of writing).
  • Page length:
    • < 200 pages: +5 points
    • 201 – 349: +10 points
    • > 350 pages: +15 points
  • Lexile score:
    • < 745 Lexile score: +5 points
    • 750 – 995 Lexile score: +10 points
    • > 1000 Lexile score: +15 points

 

• Complete analysis work in Google Classroom during and after reading. I will invite you to the Classroom - but feel free to e-mail me to remind me. :) 
  • Step 1: character inventory
    • start when you have a sense of the main characters (2 pts for first check)
    • Update your character inventory with revised impressions/info and final thoughts when you’re close to finishing the book (1 pt for second check)
  • Step 2: four journal entries 
    • aim for one entry 20% of the way through the book, one 40%, one 60% of the way through, and one 80% of the way through the book (3 pts each plus a quarter of your reading points)
    • be thorough with your analysis questions! Full paragraph: topic sentence, concrete example from the book, quote from book to illustrate example, explanation of how example supports your answer.
  • Step 3: book summary form
    • complete when you're done reading (3 pts)
    • get your essay thesis approved by Christine before starting to write the essay
  • Step 4: five paragraph essay
    • draft (5 pts) with revisions as needed (3 pts)
    • the file in the Google Classroom contains a basic outline - but if you want to print a copy that you can write on to organize your thoughts, download the file below.
  • Step 5: mini-review 
    • Now that you're an expert on this book, share your opinion with your peers! Write up a quick review to be included in our electronic library.  (3 pts)

​You’ll receive contract points as you complete components from this list. Now go read! :)​

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Reading and Writing: articles

The lesser-known track of Reading and Writing involves reading and analyzing articles, then writing up blog posts to reflect on them. Here are the details: 

• Choose an article to read - with a minimum of 1000 words. A couple quality sites to use: 
  • www.longform.org
  • www.newsela.com
  • the bulletin board in the English classroom (yes, Christine keeps it updated!)
• Print and read the article
• Annotate with marginalia (underline and write notes in the margins - questions, reactions, summaries of content, etc.)
• Write a blog post - DRAFT in Google Docs
  • Summarize article (4-6 sentences)
  • React to article/topic (4-6 sentences)
• When content of your draft has been approved, transfer to a new blog post on your Weekly site
  • Add two photos/videos that supplement this topic. Include an explanatory caption for each.

If you need a new syllabus (whaaat? you LOST the copy Christine wrote out for you? sigh...), print it here: R&W Articles syllabus

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C-TACHs addressed through these modules

• Reading: Cite strong textual evidence to support analysis of explicit and implicit meaning of text
• Reading: Read and comprehend complex literature and informational text independently, accurately and for deep understanding
• Reading: Analyze author’s stylistic choices regarding structure and development of the elements of a story, particularly theme
• Writing: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through effective selection, organization, and analysis of content
• Writing: Draw evidence from literary or information texts to support analysis, reflection and research