77thth Grade GradeIndependent ReadingIndependent Reading

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Marking Period 1Marking Period 1

Problem:Problem: Essay is mostly a re- Essay is mostly a re-telling or summary of the story telling or summary of the story

Discussion:Discussion:Assume the reader has read the book.Assume the reader has read the book.Your task is not to re-tell what happens in the book.Your task is not to re-tell what happens in the book.Your task is to answer the question(s) in the assignment.Your task is to answer the question(s) in the assignment.

Solution:Solution: Read the essay assignment and do exactly what it asks. Read the essay assignment and do exactly what it asks. Do NOT re-tell the story. Do NOT re-tell the story. Any re-telling of the story must directly support your Any re-telling of the story must directly support your answer to the essay question(s). In other words it must answer to the essay question(s). In other words it must be evidence to help you make a point. be evidence to help you make a point.

Problem:Problem: There is no relationship There is no relationship between your organizers and your between your organizers and your

essays.essays.Discussion:Discussion: The purpose of your organizers is to The purpose of your organizers is to

help you organize your thoughts for the essay.help you organize your thoughts for the essay.

Solution:Solution:

Keep in mind as you read the book, what essay Keep in mind as you read the book, what essay question you will be answering. question you will be answering.

Use the organizers to help you prepare for that Use the organizers to help you prepare for that essay.essay.

Problem:Problem: Your essay is not an Your essay is not an essay.essay.

Discussion:Discussion: Several “essays” were simply Several “essays” were simply one giant paragraph.one giant paragraph.

Solution:Solution: Just as a paragraph is made up of Just as a paragraph is made up of sentences, an essay is made up of sentences, an essay is made up of paragraphs.paragraphs.

Problem:Problem: Your essay has a middle Your essay has a middle but no beginning or end.but no beginning or end.

Discussion:Discussion: An essay is just like a paragraph. It An essay is just like a paragraph. It needs a beginning, a middle and an end.needs a beginning, a middle and an end.

Solution:Solution: Make sure you have an introductory paragraph Make sure you have an introductory paragraph designed to introduce your topic and grab the designed to introduce your topic and grab the reader’s attention.reader’s attention.Make sure you have a closing paragraph Make sure you have a closing paragraph designed to summarize your main points and designed to summarize your main points and wrap the essay up by bringing it back to the wrap the essay up by bringing it back to the topic.topic.

Problem:Problem: Your essay never Your essay never mentions the title of the book.mentions the title of the book.

Discussion:Discussion: I did not have a format for a proper I did not have a format for a proper heading. My bad.heading. My bad.

Solution:Solution: For future independent reading For future independent reading assignments, use this heading on the first page. assignments, use this heading on the first page. On all other pages, make sure your name is in On all other pages, make sure your name is in the top left hand corner.the top left hand corner.

Name, Section, Student #Name, Section, Student # DateDateTitleTitle

AuthorAuthor

Problem:Problem: Title of book not Title of book not punctuated or improperly punctuated or improperly

punctuated.punctuated.

Discussion:Discussion: The titles of novels and non- The titles of novels and non-fiction books are underlined or typed in fiction books are underlined or typed in italics.italics.

Solution:Solution:

If you are writing by hand, as in your If you are writing by hand, as in your organizers, underline the title. organizers, underline the title.

If you are typing, use italics.If you are typing, use italics.

Problem:Problem: The essay is not in the The essay is not in the proper format.proper format.

Discussion:Discussion: Essays improperly formatted or Essays improperly formatted or packets that are incomplete may not be packets that are incomplete may not be turned in on time, resulting in -5 homework turned in on time, resulting in -5 homework points.points.

Solution:Solution:

The format and all other requirements are The format and all other requirements are spelled out in the handout. spelled out in the handout.

Just do it!Just do it!

Some Final NotesSome Final Notes

The first independent reading project was worth The first independent reading project was worth 1.5 tests.1.5 tests.The second will be worth 2 tests.The second will be worth 2 tests.The final project will be worth 2.5 tests.The final project will be worth 2.5 tests.I will grade them based on the criteria in the I will grade them based on the criteria in the handout handout ANDAND the lessons learned (this the lessons learned (this slideshow). slideshow). If you read fiction for the first project, you must If you read fiction for the first project, you must read non-fiction for the second and vice versa.read non-fiction for the second and vice versa.You may choose either fiction or non-fiction for You may choose either fiction or non-fiction for the final project.the final project.