The Notebook

Independent Reading Expectations

Independent reading is an important life habit, and an important part of our class. We will read daily.  Additionally, you will need to spend time reading outside of class in order to build reading stamina and volume. These are critical attributes for high school and college. You will set a weekly page goal for yourself that will help you monitor your reading.

Why Read?

1. Reading is rewarding.
2. Reading builds mature vocabulary.
3. Reading makes you a better writer.
4. Reading is hard, and “hard” is necessary.
5. Reading makes you smarter.
6. Reading prepares you for the world of work.
7. Reading well can be financially rewarding.
8. Reading opens the door to college and beyond

Expectations: All students are required to read daily, both in and out of class.

• Choose “just-right” books.
• Set reading goals.
• Keep and maintain records of your reading in notebook.
• Record your completed books on classroom reading spreadsheet.
• Bring your book(s) to class each day!

*Always have a second book ready to read in order to maximize the reading time

Notebook Requirements

• Table of Contents
• Reader Autobiography
• Genre Recommendations Graph
• My Reading List (books completed)
• Weekly Page Goal
• Future Reads List
• Writing About Reading
• Reading Lesson Notes                                          
• Book Commercial Plans                                                                            

                               

                                                                   

Where to Get Great Books

The IMC is open daily at 7:15 a.m., during lunch, and after school until 3:45 p.m.

Please do not take books from the classroom library without signing them out.  Many books are lost this way. Other great places to find books are the public library, Amazon, Scholastic Classroom Book Orders, and local bookstores.  

Writing:

If painters need easels to play with painting, and basketball players need a court to play basketball, then it reasons that writers and need a place to play with writing while readers need to place to collect thoughts about their reading.  Our place to play will be with the notebook.

With that being said, you will be required to write in your notebook on a regular basis, both in class and outside of class. We will explore a variety of topics and ideas in class that will serve as a launch pad for possible writing entries.  

Weekly Homework Writing Assignment

You will be required to write 5 pages weekly in your notebook. You may write about whatever you want! Each entry should have a title and date.

What to write about?

• Life…                                                         
• Poetry
• Ideas from quick-writes
• Creative stories       
• Reading: quote or point from a passage; reaction to what you read, questions about what you are reading, thoughts or understandings about your reading.
• Anything you want!

Why Write?

We know that:

• Writing helps you to be a better reader.
• Writing makes you smarter.
• Writing helps you in the workplace.
• Writing prepares you to get into and through college.
• Writing helps you to persuade others.
• Writing enables you to fight oppression.
• Writing is a necessary skill to have in the dawn of an information age.