Independent Reading

As we hit the mid-point of the first quarter, I wanted to write a post about the 8th grade ELA independent reading requirement.  We have five targeted goals that have been the driving force behind our program:

• To engage and motivate students to learn about things that interest them.
• To promote a love of reading.
• To build vocabulary.
• To build knowledge of the world.
• To build students' reading stamina.

With these goals in mind we have implemented our independent reading requirement.  In this recurring assignment, we are asking students to read 650 minutes over a four week period.  This roughs out to be an average of 25 minutes of reading per day.  To help support their efforts, students generally receive about 15 minutes of time in class to read three days per week.  

Every four weeks students receive a log page where they can record the number of minutes they read each time they sit down to read.  The logs are collected at the end of the four week period and a grade is recorded in the independent reading category of my gradebook.  This category is worth a total of 10% of the final grade in my class.  Click on the independent reading requirement link above to see the grading scale.

In addition, students complete a status check every week where they record the name of the novel and the page they are on.  This allows me to see how quickly each of my students finish their books as well as what kinds of books they are reading.  A side benefit is that the status also provides me with a number of titles that I read.  I can see the trending book selections, and make sure I stay current!

As an 8th grade ELA department, we also have set a book goal for the entire grade.  By the end of the school year we would like the 8th grade students to have completed 7,000 books.  It seems ambitious, but we all think these kids can do it!