Focus Skills For Independent Reading Logs
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2Independent Reading Project
Reading Homework:
Students should read for at least 30 minutes each night. Record minutes, pages read, date, and title of book.
Two and one half weeks remain in this term, students will complete one Independent Reading Log for each night
they read (each page will contain 3 entries). This will be completed on notebook paper. A sample of what this
should look like is on the back of this page.
Starting tonight, there will be 12 entries total—3 to a page—four pages total.
Each Independent Reading Log (IRL) should include:
o
Date completed
o
Title
o
Author
o
Pages covered for that specific entry
o
Focus skill used (see below)
o
Your response—minimum of 2-3 sentences
Independent Reading Logs are due _________________________.
Focus Skills for Independent Reading Logs
Predict- Before reading, look at the text, the cover, any pictures connected with the reading. Read a couple paragraphs.
What do you predict the selection might be about? What might happen? Who are the people involved? As you read,
stop and think about what might happen next or later in the selection.
Connect- Think about what’s happening in the story. Can you connect it to any experience you have ever had? What
about the character or people? Do you know anyone like them? Can you connect your own experience to any feelings,
ideas or opinions expressed in the text?
Visualize- How do you see the people, places, ideas or what is going on in the selection? Pay attention to descriptions
and try to imagine what things look like.
Question- Ask yourself questions about the events, people, and ideas expressed in the reading. You might say, “I
wonder if these two characters are going to become friends”; “How would I feel if this happened to me?”; “Is this story
taking place today, or many years ago?” A good reader has lots of questions going through his mind as he/she reads.
Some can easily be answered, or one might have to read further to find out.
Clarify- Good readers pause if they don’t understand what they are reading. One might have to go back and read
something again, or turn back to another part of the story to check on a detail. Sometimes writing something down or
asking someone who may be reading the same story helps. Sometimes a reader continues to read ahead to gain more
information. Stop occasionally to check your understanding.
Evaluate- Make judgments as you read. Does this situation seem real? Do you agree with what is being expressed?
What is revealed about the author? How well is the story being told?
In Addition: Students will write a 5 paragraph essay (1-1.5 pages, 12 point -Times New Roman, Standard
Margins) based on one of the following options:
Create a character essay that:
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates a characters actions, motives, and attitudes
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates by comparing and contrasting characters
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates the characterization of the protagonist
Create a theme essay that:
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates larger statements of truth offered by the author
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates any abstract ideas and makes them concrete
Create a symbol essay that:
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates the devices that stand for themselves and, at the same time,
something deeper and more meaningful. Explain the importance to the novel.
Creates a Sociological or Psychological essay that:
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates social topics/controversy offered by the author
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates psychological topics/controversy offered by the author
Create a conflict essay that:
o Analyzes, interprets and evaluates the forces in opposition or the levels of opposition found in the
story.
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