The "native English speakers" have weekly reading homework.
Each student now has an at home English reading book
See below for instuctions (due EVERY Wednesday)
2B English: Reading Homework Routine
1.
Choose an English
reading book at your level:
…You are to choose a
chapter book at your level. We have done this today in the library.
…Here’s how to know
if the book is OK for you: hold your hand out with all 5 fingers up… turn to a
random page in the book and read it… for every word you do not know or cannot
read, put down 1 finger… if you have put down all 5 fingers by the end of the
page, the book is too difficult…
… I will always be
able to help you find a good book during library time…
2.
Read at least 30
minutes a week (will go up to 60 next term):
… You can split this
up however you want: all in one time, 6 days of five minutes… whatever works
best… But remember… it should be sustained
reading (keeps on going)
3.
Keep track of your
book in your new READING LOG!
FIRST OFF: during
your reading time!
a.) You will write down up to 5 words you do not know or have never seen
before… do not write down more than 5, so choose carefully!
b.) NOW, if you know all the words… write down 5 SPELLING PROBLEM WORDS!
c.)
You will try to learn
these words by using an English dictionary, an online dictionary (like www.dictionary.com),
or, if these don’t work, by asking an adult (parents? Andy?)
… FOR NOW, you will
answer the same questions every week:
1.)
If it’s a new book,
write down TITLE and AUTHOR
2.)
After reading your 60
minutes, write down the page number where you stopped
3.)
What was happening in
the book? What were the characters doing? 2-3 sentences.
4.)
What do YOU think
will happen next? 2-3 sentences (this is the most important question, as it
shows me you are THINKING about what you read)
EXTRA!!!!
If you really want to aim high, try to answer one of
the 89 questions from the extra sheet every week, OR AT LEAST when you finish
the book!!!!!
Ask me for a copy of the questions, and I will give it to you…
A COPY OF QUESTIONS:
Reflection Questions
for Reading Log
Directions: Choose two of the following questions to
answer after you’ve finished reading (1 hour per week). Make sure you include
the page numbers that you read AND the complete question using PEEL
Fiction: Questions 1-89
1. While
you were reading today, describe what you pictured in your mind about the
story.
2.
Which character can you connect with the most in your book? Why?
3. This character reminds me of somebody I know.
4.
Which part of your book are you having the most difficulty understanding or
connecting with? Why do you think this
is?
5.
What have you done that is similar to what the characters experience in your
book?
6.
How does the part that you read today fit together with the parts that you read
earlier?
7.
Predict what will happen in the next few chapters/remainder of the book. Support your prediction with facts/quotes from
the story.
8. Based on what the characters say or do, what
can you infer about their attributes/personalities?
9. Describe the setting. What is its significance to the story? How would the story be different in a
different time or place?
10. What motivates the protagonist (main
character)? How do you know? Use evidence from the book to support your
answer.
11.
What are the major obstacles that your protagonist faces? Explain why you think these are most
important.
12. Write a letter from one character to
another. Be sure to use two quotes from
the text within the letter.
13. Create a diary entry in the voice of a
character. Be sure to use two quotes
from the text within your entry.
14.
Find a quote that stands out to you and explain why you chose it.
15.
Choose a character from this chapter. What do you like the most or the least
about them? Why?
16.
How realistic is the plot of your book?
17.
Find some interesting dialogue. Explain what
is happening between the characters involved.
18.
If you could "jump" into your book right now, what would you do in
the story and why?
19.
Which character would you like to have as a friend and why?
20.
Which part of the story caused the strongest feelings in you? Why?
21. I wonder what this part means . . . .
22. This part is very realistic/unrealistic
because . . . .
23. The character I most admire is _________
because
24. I love the way ….
25. I can’t believe that ….
26. If I were __________, I would ….
27. I’m not sure that ….
28. I like the way the author ….
29. I felt sad/elated/apprehensive when ….
30. My favorite part of the book so far is ….
31. This part of the story reminds me of (another
title) because ….
32. What were your
feelings after reading the opening chapter of this book?
33. Did this book make
you laugh? Cry? Cringe? Smile? Cheer? Explain.
34. What connections are
there between the book and your life? Explain.
35. What is the most
important event in the book? Explain.
36. Who should or shouldn’t
read this book? Why?
37. What are the best
parts of the book? Why?
38. What are the worst
parts? Why?
39. Do you like the
ending of the book? Why or why not? Do you think there is more to tell? What do you think should happen next?
40. What came as a
surprise in the book? Why?
41. What parts of the
book seem most believable or unbelievable? Why?
42. What makes you
wonder in this book?
43. What confuses you in
the book?
44. In what ways are
you like any of the characters? Explain.
45. Do any of the
characters remind you of friends, family members, or classmates? Explain.
46. Which character would
you like to be in this book? Why?
47. What would you and
your favorite character talk about in a conversation? Begin the conversation.
48. Do you think the
title fits the book? Why or why not?
49. What do you know
now that you didn’t know before?
50. What questions in
this book would you like answered?
51. What do I think
will happen next?
52. What are some words
I don’t know or questions I have?
53. What does the
writer’s purpose seem to be?
54. My favorite
character is _______ because….
55. I can relate to….
56. If I were the
author, I’d change….
57. Something that
doesn’t make sense about this story is…
58. What I think will
happen next is….
59. If I were
(character in story), I’d….
60. I believe the
author wants the reader to….
61. Something
unrealistic or too coincidental in the story is….
62. My favorite
sentence so far is _____ because….
63. The most important
character is ______ because…
64. Write a poem from a
character’s viewpoint
65. Write a poem about the
setting.
66. Write a poem about a
character.
67. If you could be
related to a character, who would it be and why?
68. Write a solution
for a problem a character has that is different from anything suggested in the
book.
69. In the sequel to
this book, the following should happen….
70. Choose a food that
represents this book and explain why.
71. Create a theme song
with lyrics for the book.
72. Write a letter to
the author of your book.
73. Choose a character
and decide what would be two appropriate birthday presents for that character
and explain why.
74. What type of reader
would enjoy this book and why?
75. This book has made
me reconsider or think twice about … because….
76. Discuss a conflict
in the book that is “timeless” and “universal.”
77. If I could step
into the book, the first thing I would do is….
78. I can’t understand
why (character) doesn’t just ….
79. I laughed aloud
when….
80. I felt like crying
when….
81. I was furious when….
82. I was surprised
when…..
83. This book reminds
me of the fairy tale ______because….
84. If I were making
this book into a movie, the part(s) I would cut out or change would be...because….
85. Create a cluster
showing the interrelationships of the characters.
86. Discuss how (character)
shows his/her personality through the dialogue in the story.
