Middle School
Reading Workshop
2007-2008
Welcome to the reading workshop! At least two times a week, we will spend time reading and reflecting on our reading in class. At home, you will be expected to continue your reading assignments and independent reading.
The Reading Log
Your reading log is a place for you to record what you have read during the year so you can see the patterns in your literature choice and look back with a sense of accomplishment. You will also reflect on your reading in your reading log. Let’s think of it as a conversation. Write me your thoughts and I’ll respond with my own questions and comments.
You are expected to complete two reading log entries each week. You may do this in class during reading workshop or at home for homework. A quality reading log entry will…
-be legible
-be thoughtful
-refer to the author and title of the reading
-will NOT be a plot summary (a list of events in the story)
-will respond to my comments and questions, if appropriate
Here are some suggestions of what to write about…
-What did the reading make you think of?
- Did anything in the reading make you feel uncomfortable? Why?
- Do you agree with what the author is saying? Why or why not?
-What does the reading remind you of and why?
-Do you find the writer’s style accessible, difficult, challenging or odd?
- What is the most interesting part of the reading so far?
- Can you explain why a character is reacting the way he or she is?
-What do you think will happen next? Why?
- What would you do differently if you were in the writer or editor’s chair?
Here are some ways you may wish to start an entry…
-I wonder why…
-I can’t believe…
-If I had been there, I would have…
- I like the way the author…
-I know the feeling…
-I love the way…
-I don’t agree…
-Something that confused me was…
-I was angry when…
-I don’t like the way the author…
-I never knew that…
-This reminds me of…
- I am learning…
Here are some ways to write about theme, characters, or setting…
-I think the author is trying to say that…
-The main idea in this book is…
-The main character(protagonist) is … because…
-The antagonist is…
-If this book were a movie, the main character should be (actor’s name),
because….
-This book takes place during…
- I can tell when this book takes place because…
