Radnor Middle School
7th Grade Independent Reading Log
Independent reading plays a significant role in developing and enriching comprehensive literacy
as well as building confident and motivated readers. When students take full responsibility for
their reading, they gain the necessary practice of reading strategies such as self-selecting
materials, identifying the “just right” level, navigating texts, comprehending, and sharing
literature. Through independent reading and associated activities students take control of their
reading, leading to more confident, motivated, and enthusiastic learners.
Reading Expectations
In 7th grade, students are expected to read, log, and respond to 10 books during the course of
the school year. These books are to include books read over the summer and those selfselected by students and read outside of school, in addition to the required academic reading.
While there is a quantitative requirement for the log, the quality of reading is of equal
importance. Students should select books that are enjoyable, but not too easy, and challenging,
but not too difficult. Book choices should also demonstrate a variety of genres.
Reading Responses
During the course of each marking period, students will be notified of class time dedicated to
reading and responding to their independent reading selections. On these announced dates,
students will participate in small or large group discussions where they will deliver a “book talk”
about their selected book.
What is a Book Talk?
A book talk is a brief, 3-7 minute presentation of a book and will do the following:
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Discuss title and author
Show front and back cover
Read aloud the lead or interesting/exciting part of the story
Connect book with teacher’s/students’ lives
Pose questions
Offer brief synopsis
Connect book with a similar book
Tell a little about the plot of a character
Identify the theme
Provide a “hook” in order to capture listeners’ interests
Grading Policy
The independent reading log will be graded twice per quarter. Each log will be worth 15 points,
totaling 30 points per marking period. Teachers will use the 7th Grade Independent Reading Log
rubric to grade the log and response.
7th Grade Independent Reading Log Rubric
Excellent
3
Book selections
Genre Variation
Reading Level Quality
Collaboration
Text Analysis
Presentation
demonstrate a variety of
genres. There are no
more than 3 books per
genre (unless the log
exceeds 10 books).
Book selections
demonstrate student
awareness of his/her
independent reading
level; books are not too
easy or too difficult.
Student effectively
collaborates with
partners on selfselected books, building
on others’ ideas and
expressing their own
clearly.
Student explicitly draws
on prepared evidence by
referring to the text and
reflecting on ideas
under discussion.
Student presents claims
and findings,
emphasizing salient
points in a focused,
coherent manner with
relevant evidence,
sound valid reasoning,
and well-chosen details.
Fair
2
Book selections
demonstrate some
variety of genres. One
or two genres are
repeated more than 3
times.
Some book selections
demonstrate student
awareness of his/her
independent reading
level; some books
included are too easy or
too difficult.
Student adequately
collaborates with
partners on selfselected books, building
on others’ ideas and
expressing their own
clearly. with prompting.
Student sometimes
draws on prepared
evidence by referring to
the text and reflecting on
ideas under discussion.
Student presents claims
and findings,
sequencing ideas
logically; pertinent
descriptions, facts, and
details are included but
are not connected to
ideas.
Poor
1
Book selections
demonstrate little
variety of genres.
Nearly all books are in
the same genre.
Book selections do not
demonstrate student
awareness of his/her
independent reading
level; many books
included are too easy or
too difficult.
Student ineffectively
collaborates with
partners on selfselected books, building
on others’ ideas, and
paraphrasing others’
ideas.
Student rarely draws on
prepared evidence by
referring to evidence in
the text and reflecting on
ideas under discussion.
Student presents claims
and findings, but in an
unfocused, noncoherent manner;
pertinent descriptions,
facts, and details are
underdeveloped or
absent.
Radnor Middle School
7th Grade Independent Reading Log
Historical Fiction
Date
Title
Author
Realistic Fiction
Date
Title
Author
Fantasy/Science Fiction
Date
Title
Author
Non-Fiction/Informational
Date
Title
Author
Drama/Poetry
Date
Title
Author
Additional Books
Date
Title
Author