Self-Selected Reading

Reading is a skill. Skills improve with practice. People who read become better readers.

In sixth grade, you have a book handy so that you can read when you have a moment. You read for 30 minutes every day, and once every 7-day cycle you write a letter to Dr. Turner about what you're reading.

Here are the questions you might have about this:

• What am I allowed to read?
• How do I choose things to read?
• Can I re-read something I already read once?
• What format should I use for the letter?
• What kind of thing can I say in the letter?
• I can't remember anything about what I read
• Will Dr. Turner answer my letter?
• What if I'm too busy to read?
• What if I lose my book?
• Can I read my science or history text and have it count?
• Can I include the reading I do in SSR and Reading class?
• What if I can't stand the thing I'm reading. Do I have to finish it?
• How is the letter graded?

What am I allowed to read?

Read things with words in them.. Preferably words in sentences. Don't read anything you wouldn't want your parents to see you reading. Reading on the Internet doesn't count unless you print it out and read it somewhere else. Read novels, short stories, biographies, history, how-to manuals, poetry, or anything else that appeals to you. Ask me if you're not sure something is good to read.

How do I choose things to read?

Choose things you like or really want to read.

Places to look: bookstores, library, classroom shelves.

Things to do: Pick an interesting title. Look at the front and back cover. Read the "blurb" that often appears on the back of books, though this is often a very bad guide to what's inside. Look at pictures. Read the first page, a middle page, and even the last page if you like. Read book reviews. Look at ads in magazines. Ask someone for a recommendation.

People to ask: teachers, friends, librarians, parents, bookstore owners.

Can I re-read something I already read once?

Yes. I'll ask you to move on if you do it too often.

What format should I use for the letter?

Friendly letter format. The letter can be neatly handwritten on lined paper, or it can be typed, double spaced. List the bibliographic information for the things you're reading, in MLA format, at the bottom of the page.

What kinds of things can I say in the letter?

• Explain why (or how) you chose what you're reading.
• Write about something you did that is similar to something you read.
• Write a letter to the author.
• List the questions that you have about what you're reading.
• Choose some interesting facts you learned as a result of reading.
• Explain how to do something you learned from the book.
• Tell me your experience as you read the book, as if you were telling me about a trip you took. What did you expect? What surprised you? What disappointed you? What did you get out of it?
• Become a character in your book and write the letter as if you were that character.
• Pretend you have interviewed a main character and report on the interview.
• Discuss a memorable scene or a favorite part, and explain why you like or remember it.
• Pretend you have magically walked into the book, and tell me what it's like in there. How are things different? What do you see that the reader doesn't know about? Do you make friends with the main character?
• Make a prediction about how you think it will end, and why.
• Write an Amazon review of the book, or write a book review for Mrs. Krieg.
• Discuss how you will use your reading in your own life.
• Comment on the way the author writes: how he or she chooses words, tells a story, describes settings, names characters, explains things, and so on. Do you like the way the author does it? Why or why not?
• Do you think the title of the book is a good one? Why or why not? List some other possible titles.
• What would you like the author to know about your experience reading the book? Did you like it, or not like it? Why? How could the author improve it? What would you like to know?
• Disagree with the book. What does it get wrong? How would you argue with the author?
• Write the beginning, or an outline, of a sequel to the book.
• Write a book review. A book review is written so the person reading it can decide whether to read it or not. You should give a brief summary, your reaction to the book, whether you recommend it or not, and why. If it would be good for one kind of reader but not another, explain.
• Write a newspaper article reporting on the book.
• Compare what you're reading to something else you've read.
• Discuss books you plan to read next.
• Discuss some of the elements of fiction: plot, character, theme, setting, dialogue, and so on--and discuss how the book you are reading uses these elements.
• Explain why you have abandoned the book!.

I can't remember what I read

This happens to many people. Write down a few notes every time you read, if this is a problem for you. If the book belongs to you, you can write in the book. If it doesn't, you can write on sticky notes, on blank bookmarks, or on a sheet of paper in your binder.

Will Dr. Turner answer my letter?

I will read all the letters carefully, and I will often write a response on your letter before I return it to you. Sometimes I will ask you questions, or share something with you, or tell you some information about what you read.

What if I'm too busy to read?

If you're too busy one night because you have a lot of homework, you can make it up the next day. SSR class and Reading class count. Assigned English class reading counts. Don't let it go past a couple of days, though.

What if I lose my book?

No excuse. Have another one handy. Start reading that. I usually have at least three books sitting around waiting to be read. Have a book at school and a book at home. Borrow a book from Dr. Turner's classroom library if you don't have anything.

Can I read my science, health, or history text and have it count?

No.

Can I include the reading I do in SSR and Reading class?

Yes.

What if I can't stand the thing I'm reading. Do I have to finish it?

I always liked what Dorothy Parker said about a book: "This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force." She also said, "This wasn't just plain terrible, this was fancy terrible. This was terrible with raisins in it." If it's bad, don't bother. Choose another one. Tell me about your reasons for abandoning the book in your reading letter.

How is the letter graded?

It's graded on whether you hand it in or not. If you do a terrible job on it, I will ask you to rewrite it. If you don't hand it in, I'll give you a homework notice to get signed, and you will still have to write it.