READING NOTEBOOK EXPECTATIONS

READING RESPONSES

·        at least three reading entries (responses) per week based on the four reading strategies- predict, connect, question, and evaluate

     (Only Summarize once you have completed your book.) We do not respond with re-tells.

·        be consistent – read 30 minutes, then respond in 65 words or more.

·        Date and number entries. Write the reading strategy at the top. 

·        no pencil – blue or black ink required

DELICIOUS WORDS

·        3 words per week from your book

·        Date the word and follow the format: the underlined word, the part of speech, the dictionary definition, the original sentence from the text, the page number, and your own sentence using context clues.

NOTES

·        must write something every mini-lesson

·        copied notes must be complete

LOG SHEETS

·        must be completed daily at beginning of class

·        parent signatures are required on the log sheet every weekend.

POST-ITS

·        Three Idea Post-its  are required per week to note predictions, questions, etc. These are to be place in reader’s notebook next to the 3 reading responses.

·        Four Goal Post-its  are required to help manage your daily reading goals. Keep these in the reading section of your notebook.

Writing entries

·       Write at least three entries per week based on the strategies we discussed in class during that week.

Reading Response Example

Date: 8/31

RR #: 1

Strategy: Prediction

The Crush by, Rachel Vail

HOW TO WRITE A READING RESPONSE

1. First Sentence: State your idea and state the strategy.

2. Second Sentence State the part of the text you will use for the response.

3. Third through at least Sixth sentence: explain the thoughts you had while reading, and include at least one example from the text to SUPPORT your idea. Please include the phrase, “This is important because…” to explain the significance of your response.

4. Wrap up your thoughts with a Concluding sentence.

Date: ______

RR#: _____

Strategy: Text to Self Connection

The Turtle by Jim Bishop

STEM SENTENCES FOR EACH PARAGRAPH OF YOUR SUMMARY

(One summary must be written for each book you have completed. Please place the book’s title at the top of the page in your Reading Notebook.)

1.    The main character’s name is                    and he/she can be described as ____________________.                                     

2.   Their problem is all about _____________________which is important because_________________________.

3.   The way they solve it is by______________________.

4.   The character changes in the following way(s):_______.

5.   The lesson(s) they learn are_____________________.

6.   The theme can be identified as__________________ .

7.   I can say the book changed my thinking in the following way:_________________.

“Those Three Wishes”

by Judith Gorog

THE SUMMARY

      The main character’s name is Melinda Alice and she can be described as a girl most kids considered to be clever and cruel.  She makes good grades which mattered to her dad, but her mom hopes she will grow out of her cruel behavior.  However, she is very clever, witty and pretty, which gives most people the impression that she is a natural leader.

          Her problem is that she is way too self-centered and selfish, which eventually causes her downfall.  She’s impetuous – that is she reacts too quickly without considering consequences.  But that doesn’t matter to her because she doesn’t care.  That’s important because she could have had everything she wanted in this world, but because of her character, she loses everything – even her life.

          In most stories the main character figures out how to solve his/her problem, but Melinda Alice doesn’t know she has big problems.  She thinks that after meeting the snail, she will have a wonderful life of luxury and fun.  Her only concern is her math test for which she hadn’t studied.  And that problem certainly wasn’t solved.

          She changes?  This is one character that doesn’t change, even after she is given the gift of helping the world.  She just stays her selfish self, which is her downfall.

          The lesson she learned too late is to think before you speak.  However, that would not have changed her nasty behavior.  She really needs to learn to be a caring individual.

          The theme is that true wealth comes not from money and things, but from love.  Also, the way one treats others can have major effects in seeking a happy life.

          I can say the story changed my thinking by challenging me to be more thoughtful and caring in my dealings with others.  Also, I should learn to think deeply about how my words and actions can affect others.

Each word has the date beside it in the margin.

Write: 

1. First Line: The date, Underline the Vocabulary word, write “POS:” give its part of speech

2. Second Line: write “Def:” and give the dictionary definition

3. Third Line: write the original sentence from the book, which you’ve logged in and the page number (put it in quotation marks)

4. Fourth Line: write your own sentence using the word correctly with context clues to the word’s meaning.

Example:

Date: Oct.3 - Atone, verb

Def:  to make amends or reparation as for an offense or a crime, or for an offender.

Quote: “I started looking for things to do to atone for my crime.” page 138

 My sentence: To atone for my actions, I brought flowers to my mother.

Daily Post-it Notes

*Write your notes in complete sentences.

*Write at least one post-it note daily ( 3 for each partnership meeting) to record your thinking as you read. Three idea post-its and 4 goal post-its are required weekly.

* Put the title and the date at the top of all post-its.

* Goal Post-its: Underneath the title & date write the starting page number, time allotted, your set goal, and then end page number. When finished reading, put a check in the box if you met your reading goal.   

* When you find a part of your book that makes you predict, question, or evaluate the actions of the characters, record your thinking quickly on your Idea Post-it.

* Stick Idea Post-its to the reading response where you developed these thoughts fully.  Goal Post-its will be placed behind your weekly section sheet.

*Include open-ended questions for your Questioning Strategy Idea Post-it.

Example for idea post-it note:  Title:  Holes   Date____

I think that the boy is being treated too harshly by the camp’s warden. How would you react to this treatment? pg. 100 (Questioning Strategy)

VG Reading Goals for the First Progress Report

Reading Goals for the Second Progress Report

Reading Goals for the 1^st Nine-Weeks

These goals will increase each nine week period.