“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” – Joseph Addison
Reading is a major part of our life in
ELA class. It is expected that you read every night. Sometimes I will assign a genre or a specific text, while other times, you will have the choice to read anything you would like!
While y
ou read, you must also record your thoughts about your reading in a Reader’s Notebook.
Because of the unconventional times we are living and learning in, this year you will be using a Digital Reader’s & Writer’s Notebook. We will be launching this on the Google Classroom and then will be using it all year!
**If you like working in a traditional notebook, you may do so. Just take a picture and add it to your Digital Readers & Writer’s Notebook! I am happy to teach you how to do this, if you don’t know how.**
A Reader’s notebook is a valuable tool for understanding the texts you read on your own. It is an open-ended conversation with yourself and the book, showing your thinking as you read. You can create:
- maps
- lists
- charts
- record important passages and your thoughts and reactions to those passages
- ask questions, etc.
This will be especially valuable when completing assignments, discussing in book clubs, and gauging your growth as a reader from September to June.
Once you have have completed your assigned book for a given unit, you should pick up another. Think about it: to get better at reading, you have to practice – just like playing a sport!
Remember to have the book you are reading and acess to your Digital Reader’s & Writer’s Notebook in class each day.
Need inspiration? Don’t know what to read? Here are some sites that will help you choose:
New York Times Best Seller Lists: These lists are published regularly and list the most popular books for your age group, so check back frequently!
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