Night
Reading Schedule and Dialectical Journal Instructions
White
Maroon
1/3 Read Ch 1 & 2; Do journal
1/4 Read Ch 1 & 2; Do journal
1/5 Read Ch 3 & 4; Do journal
1/6 Read Ch 3 & 4; Do journal
1/9 Tobacco & Drug Survey all period
1/10 Read Ch 5; Do journal
1/11 Read Ch 5; Do journal
1/12 Read Ch 6 & 7; Do journal
1/13 Read Ch 6 & 7; Do journal
1/16 Read Ch 8 & 9; Do journal
1/16 Read Ch 8 & 9; Do journal
Also Journal with:
1/17,18,19,20 Video “Life is Beautiful”
Journals DUE: 1/19(w) or 20(m) THIS IS A 90 POINT GRADE. WE WILL NOT HAVE A
SEPARTE TEST OVER THIS NOVEL.
*Socratic Circles will accompany most day’s reading assignments. Have journals
prepared for this discussion.
The Dialectical Reading Journal
The dialectical journal is a double-entry note-taking process done while the student is reading
literature. It provides him with two columns which are in dialogue with one another, not only
developing a method of critical reading but also encouraging habits of reflective questioning.
The student begins by drawing a line down the middle of his notebook paper, thereby making two
columns. The left column is used for traditional note forms of direct quotations and citations or
summaries. The right column is used for commenting on the left-column notes. As the student keeps
taking notes, he should regularly reread his previous page(s) of notes and comments, drawing any new
connections in a right-column summary before starting another page of note-taking.
Suggestions for Dialectical Journal
1. Tell what you like about a particular phrase/part: include the reference.
2. Give your opinion about how a character should have worked out a conflict.
3. Describe your response (emotional/intellectual) to your reading.
4. Comment on the author's style, including a brief example of it.
5. Explain a word/phrase that you could not let go by without researching it.
6. Evaluate the writing, explaining why it is or isn't good.
7. Explain the importance of an interesting secondary character.
8. Share how events of this novel have caused a change in your views.
9. Tell about the qualities of a character you dislike.
10. If your novel deals with a clear-cut moral issue or dilemma, what message or philosophy is the
author sending the reader?
11. To what extent is a character responsible for his own success/failure?
12. Explain any characters, events, or objects that are symbolic.
13. List questions about puzzling passages that are good for discussion.
The Way Your Journal Should Look
Quotation or Event
Chapter 1
Page #
Personal
Comment/Examples from
Suggestions
Dialectical Journal Grading Rubric
Required for "A" Grade:
Writes detailed, relevant passages or quote selections.
Asks thought-provoking, insightful questions.
Makes insightful personal connections
Coverage of text is complete and thorough.
Journal is neat, organized and professional looking; student has followed directions in the organization
of journal.
Required for "B" Grade:
Writes less detailed, but fairly relevant passages and quote selections.
Asks some fairly good pertinent questions.
Gives some personal connections
Most of the text is covered.
Adequately addresses all parts of reading assignment
Journal is fairly neat and readable; student has followed directions in the organization of journal.
Required for "C" Grade:
Writes few detailed and relevant passages or quotes.
Asks few questions or are not pertinent or vague.
Give few personal connections
Some of the key parts of the text are not addressed.
Addresses most of the reading assignment, but is not very long or thorough
Journal is relatively neat, but may be difficult to read. Student has not followed all directions in journal
organization: Has loose-leaf papers, no columns, not in separate notebook, etc.
Required for "D" or "F" Grade:
Writes passages not relevant or not enough.
Ask questions not relevant or too few.
Gives extremely limited meaningful connections to story
Limited coverage of the text: way too short
Did not follow directions in organizing journal; difficult to read or follow
20 (2+ per chapter) good, insightful entries
Followed directions
Neatness
TOTAL POINTS FOR JOURNAL
70
10
10
90