Mr. Dernbach said you had to read how many pages?

OK, I'm sure at this point you have probably heard from your child about the independent reading requirement that was given to them in class.  In case you haven't heard about it yet, ask!  I'd like to make sure we are all on the same page (pun intended), so here are some details about the assignment.

To start, I'd like to provide a piece of rationale for why the project exists in the first place.  Reading is a skill that is vital to the success of all students whether he or she is bound for college or the work-place immediately after high school.  Just like in other areas of life, the cliche - practice makes perfect - applies to reading as well.  Increasing the volume a student reads in a given quarter is a way to practice their reading skills. Now, on to the project details.

The independent reading requirement consists of students logging the number of pages they read in a given quarter.   The logs do not require parent signatures as I am trying to instill some personal responsibility for each students' learning.  That being said, I would encourage you to ask to see your child's log from time to time.  The purpose of the log is strictly for data gathering.  Statistics are kept on just about anything that one tries to improve upon; reading is no different.  We will be using the data throughout the year to set some goals.  The grade for this project will be entered into the gradebook as an assignment out of 100 points in the Independent Reading category - which accounts for only 10% of the total grade in my class.  The grade breakdown for the page log totals is as follows:

1700 pages and up  = A+
1600 - 1699 pages = A
1500 - 1599 pages = A-
1400 - 1499 pages = B+
1300 - 1399 pages = B
1200 - 1299 pages = B-
1100 - 1199 pages = C+
1000 - 1099 pages = C
900 - 999 pages = C-
800 - 899 pages = D+
700 - 799 pages = D
600 - 699 pages = D-
300 - 500 pages = 50%
less than 300 pages = 0


Initially I know that this seems like a lot, but according to the research I've done, 8th graders should be reading at a rate of around three-quarters of a page to one page per minute.  This was the basis for the determination of the page requirement.  Students may log pages any time they read - in class, in study hall, after they finish a test, at home, etc.  I suggested that students may want to keep their page log folded up and use it as a book mark, that way they will always have it.  To be honest, if students are reading during the time I give in class, over the course of a quarter they should be able to get around 500 pages during the school day.

If you have any further questions regarding the independent reading requirements or need extra copies of any of the assignment handouts, please contact me or visit the Justice League website.

Happy Reading!