Independent+Reading



**Read six (6) "books" each grading quarter.** Choose a variety of texts--short stories, poems, articles, blogs, videos, images, podcasts, and books--appropriate to your reading level.


 * 1-299 pages = 1 book
 * 300-599 pages = 2 books
 * 600+ pages = 3 books
 * 10 themed articles--on one particular topic/theme (requires separate MLA annotated bibliography)


 * At least four (4) of the six required reads must be BOOKS; you may count no more than two (2) article sets of ten as part of your independent reading each quarter**.**

**Exercise a balanced reading diet.**
 * Read for pleasure and for learning--deeper, analytical reading.
 * Read fiction & nonfiction, poetry & prose, old & new.
 * Read print and digital texts, including magazines, newspapers, blogs, websites, online articles, photo essays, videos, podcasts, and, of course--books.


 * Create a shelf for your blog ** using GoodReads.com


 * For each book, write a review. Include a SHORT synopsis, highlight a particular story grammar (character, conflict, writing style, etc.), whether or not you would recommend this, and who would you recommend it for.[[image:books-arent-dead.jpg width="209" height="175" align="right"]]
 * Have a little fun with GoodReads! Create your profile, find friends, recommend titles to each other!

** Keep a reading journal **, showing ACTIVE, CRITICAL reading.
 * Your journal is not the place to revise and edit and compose polished pieces: It's the place to record what's going on in your brain when you read. Jot, doodle, list, graph, draw your thinking!
 * Review the reading journal page to see what should be going on in your brain when you read and get detailed instructions for your journal.

==** Publish to your blog two (2) thINK's ** inspired by at least two different texts you've read recently (not in fifth grade!) ==

Check out the thINK page for more details.
To sum up your independent reading requirements...
 * Read six "books" each quarter.
 * Keep an annotated reading list on your blog using goodreads.com.
 * Keep a reading journal, leaving tracks of your thinking.
 * Write two (2) thINK's each quarter.