4th quarter reflection paper
Part 1: 4th Quarter Reading List
1. What did you read fourth quarter? Make a list that includes the title and author of each book and the total number of pages you read. You may single-space this part.
Part 2: Reflection
Write a well-composed, concise, but information-packed paragraph for each of the following questions.
2. Did you meet your IRB goals for this quarter? Describe whether and how you did.
3. Of all the books you read for independent reading this year, what is the ONE book you would most highly recommend to your peers? Identify the title, author and premise of the book AND why you recommend it.
4. How has your identity as a reader developed this year? Think about what, how, when and why you read. You don’t necessarily need to address all of these. Write about what is most important to you. (E.g. something you’re proud of or frustrated with; your reading goals/plans for the summer and/or future; your musings on the value of reading; patterns you’ve noticed in your reading choices; etc.)
Formatting Requirements
-Your paper should be typed, have a correct MLA heading, and be about one page in length.
-Please staple together in this order: this rubric (the back side facing forward), reading log and reflection paper.
4th quarter IRB expectations
Minimum expectations (to earn a “B”) To exceed expectations (and earn an “A”):
1. Read at least 450 pages from self-selected books - - - - - - - - Read at least 500 pages
2. Meet at least one of your IRB goals for this quarter - - - - - - Meet at least two of your goals
3. Keep your reading log complete and accurate
4. Write an IRB reflection paper at end of quarter
5. Always bring your current IRB and read during silent reading time on IRB days
2nd quarter IRB reflection paper
Your paper should be typed, in MLA format, and about one and a half to two pages in length.
Part 1 At the top of your paper make a list of all of the books that you read second quarter.
Include the title and author of each book. Also include the total number of pages you read.
Part 2 After your list, write a reflection on your reading that addresses the three topics below.
[Note: Below each topic I’ve come up with several subtopics that you might discuss in that section of your paper.
Do not address ALL of the subtopics! Choose two or three from each section to answer thoroughly.]1) Discuss WHAT you read this quarter
-Briefly describe what the book(s) you read is (are) about.
-Which is your favorite (&/or least favorite) book on the list? What did you like (&/or dislike) about it? Be specific.
-Describe the genre, style, level of difficulty of the book(s) you read. Were any of these new for you?
-Are you pleased with the books you chose to read this quarter? Why or why not?2) Discuss HOW you read
-Did you develop any new reading habits this quarter? Describe them.
-What are you proud of related to your reading this quarter?
-Were there any challenges or frustrations related to your independent reading? Describe them.
-How did you choose the book(s) you read this quarter? Did you try anything new? (eg. read reviews, talk to librarian)3) Discuss your GOALS
-Describe whether and how you met each of your IRB goals that you made for this quarter.
-What goals do you have for third quarter IRB? (# of pages or books? new genre or author? new reading habits?)
2nd Quarter I.R. Expectations and Grading
During the second quarter, you will . . .Read at least 450 pages from self-selected book(s) [at least 500 pages for an A]
Give at least one book talk on a book that you recommend to your peers [2 books talks for an A]
Make and achieve at least one goal for your reading – something new and/or challenging [2 or more goals for an A]
Keep your reading log complete, accurate, thoughtful and neat
Continue adding to your list of books you’re interested in reading
Always bring your current IRB and read during silent reading time on IRB days
Write an IRB reflection paper at the end of the quarter that is thorough, specific and thoughtfulDemonstrate an active engagement in reading and finding books that you enjoy
Participate in all independent reading discussions and activitiesA = met ALL of the expectations AND exceeded some expectations
B = met ALL of the expectations
C = met MOST of the expectations (You can not earn more than a “C” if you don’t turn in the reflection paper.)
D or F = did NOT meet most expectationsWays to exceed the expectations to earn an A:
Read over 500 pages.
Give two book talks.
Make and achieve 2 or more reading goals.
Demonstrate that you’ve challenged yourself in the type and/or number of books you read.
Write an engaging reflection paper.
1st quarter reflection paper
Click here to download a pdf of this assignment sheet.Part 1 At the top of your paper make a list of all of the books that you read first quarter.
Include the title and author of each book. Also include the total number of pages you read.
Part 2 After your list, write a reflection on your reading that addresses the three topics below.
[Note: Below each topic I’ve come up with several subtopics that you might discuss in that section of your paper.
Do not address ALL of the subtopics! Choose two or three from each section to answer thoroughly.]
1) Discuss WHAT you read this quarter
-Which is your favorite book on the list? What did you like about it? Be specific.
-Describe the genre, style, level of difficulty of the book(s) you read. Were any of these new for you?
-If you stopped reading a book before finishing it, tell me why you made that choice.
-If you read more than one book, were there any patterns in what you chose to read? (e.g. same author, genre, style, subject matter, level of difficulty) Is this a pattern you’d like to break out of or are you still interested in exploring it?
2) Discuss HOW you read
-Did you develop any new reading habits this quarter? Describe them.
-Are you reading more or less than you have in past years? Why do you think that is?
-Were there any challenges or frustrations related to your independent reading? Describe them.
-How did you choose the book(s) you read this quarter? Did you try anything new? (eg. read reviews, talk to librarian)
-Is getting your IRB reading done a pleasure or a chore? Is my IRB program “working” for you?
3) Make some specific reading GOALS for next quarter
-How many pages (and/or books) would you like to read second quarter?
-Are there some particular books, authors, or genres you’d like to read?
-Do you need to be more disciplined about getting your reading done? If so, what will you try to do?
-How could you expand your search for good books? (e.g. do more browsing in the library or book stores, read book reviews, ask for suggestions from librarians or your parents or siblings)
Formatting Requirements
-Your paper should be typed, in MLA format, and 1 1/2 to 2 pages in length.
-Please staple together in this order: this sheet (with rubric facing forward), your reflection paper and your completed reading log.
1st quarter IRB expectations
During the first quarter, you will . . .
- Compile a list of books you’re interested in reading
- Read at least 350 pages (at least 400 pages for an A) from self-selected* book(s)
- Keep your reading log** complete, accurate, thoughtful and neat
- Give one book talk*** on a book that you recommend to your peers
- Always bring your current IRB and read during silent reading time on IRB days
- Write an IRB reflection paper at the end of the quarter that is thorough, specific and thoughtful
- Demonstrate an active engagement in reading and finding books that you enjoy
- Participate in all independent reading discussions and activities
*A few GUIDELINES for selecting books
-Read books that you haven’t read before.
-Don’t keep reading a book if you’re hating it! Record the pages you read on your reading log (I’ll give you credit for any pages you read!) then find another book.
-Read books that are “appropriate” for school and that your parents would approve.
-I’d prefer that you not read a Harry Potter book for IRB. (If you think I should make an exception for you, come talk to me.)**READING LOG
Each IRB day I will give you your reading log to fill out. Before you begin reading, fill out the log for the appropriate rotation. Record all of the pages/books you read since the last IRB day and then write the total number of pages for the rotation in the box in the upper right hand corner. Next, write a brief but descriptive reflection on your reading in the space provided. I’ve included several topic ideas for your reflection at the top of the log sheet. You may write about one or two of these, or you may write about something else that relates to the reading you did in the past rotation.
After you’ve filled out your log I will collect it (I keep these on file in my classroom) and then you will have some time to read in class. Any pages that you read in class will be recorded on your log on the NEXT IRB day.
If you are absent on an IRB day, you are still responsible for logging your pages and writing a reflection. Ask me for your log if you’ve missed an IRB day and return it to me as soon as you can.***BOOKTALKS
In three to five minutes, tell the class about a book that you highly recommend. The book does not need to be a book that you read this year. It may be any book you’ve read, fiction or nonfiction, that you are enthusiastic about and that you think others would enjoy.1. Show the book and tell us the book’s title & author. (You must have the book with you to give a book talk.)
2. Tell us the premise of the book in an engaging way.
3. Read a short passage or two that shows something interesting
4. Explain why you recommend it.Sign up on the calendar in class to do a book talk. Please sign up only when you know you are ready to give a talk.
GRADING
A = met ALL of the expectations AND exceeded some expectations
Your IRB grade for the quarter will be worth up to 100 points possible and will be added to your total grade at the end of the quarter after you’ve turned in your IRB reflection paper. Your grade will be based on whether and how you met all of the expectations outlined above.
B = met ALL of the expectations
C = met MOST of the expectations (You can not earn more than a “C” if you don’t turn in the reflection paper.)
D or F = did NOT meet most expectations
Ways to exceed the expectations to earn an A:
- Read over 400 pages.
- Write an engaging reflection paper.
- Give more than one book talk.
- Demonstrate that you’ve challenged yourself in the type and/or number of books you read.
EVERY “F” day you will:
1) bring your current IRB to class
2) fill out your reading loga) record how much you’ve read since the last F day
b) write a reflection as directed by Ms. Hill3) read silently (for between 20 to 45 minutes)
On SOME “F” days you will also:
4) meet with Ms. Hill for a reading conference
5) meet with a small group to discuss what you are reading
6) listen to a “book talk” by a classmate
7) give a “book talk” to the class (at least one per semester)
8) participate in a reading mini-lesson that Ms. Hill presents
Links to book search websites
The Hennepin County Library site has a useful feature called "If you liked..." that will give you several suggestions (and brief descriptions) of books similar to ones you may have read and enjoyed.Reading book reviews can be helpful. Check out the "Readers Club" site OR, for reviews written by and for teens, go to "Reading Rants". (This one is my favorite because of the funky - and useful! - categories.)
Whichbook.net is a site where you can customize your book suggestions. (Very cool!)
If you need some suggestions for what to read, check out the IRB page for my sophomores. I've posted a list of books that they highly recommend.
Booktalks
Sign up on calendar posted in classroom to do a booktalk.In 3 to 5 minutes, tell the class about a book that you highly recommend. (The book does not necessarily need to be something you've read this year. It may be any book that you think others would enjoy.)
1. Show the book and tell us the book’s title & author.
2. Tell us the premise of the book.
3. Read a short passage or two that shows something interesting.
4. Explain why you recommend it.
