Adult/Student Reading Journal
Fall 2013
Dear parents/guardians,
I ask my students to read independently throughout the school year and take
Accelerated Reader tests on the novels they read. This reading is graded and
is weighted as fifteen percent of their quarter grade. To help my seventh
grade students get started, I am asking you to read an Accelerated Reader
book with your child.
While reading the novel, the student and adult keep a journal. The journal
will contain a minimum of five dated entries from each person with
each entry at least ten lines long. The entries are simply a
conversation about the book’s themes or life lessons. It is a chance to ask
questions, share ideas, make connections, draw conclusions, and make
predictions. The entries are not summaries. I have included an
example of journal entries from a previous year. After finishing the novel,
the students must hand in the journals no later than October 4.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this assignment,
please feel free to e-mail me at mark.buerkle@springfield.mntm.org.
Thank you for your support,
Mark Buerkle
Instructions for Dialogue Journals
Before reading, make a plan for the completion of the assignment.
1) Decide how many pages you are going to read each week.
2) Decide after which chapters you will write journals. Remember:
each person must have five entries, each ten lines long. Do
not write more than five entries each.
3) Set a goal for the final date in which the student will hand in the
journal entries and take the Accelerated Reader test. The last possible
due date is October 4. I have included a calendar for easy reference.
4) Report to me the name of the book and the date the student will turn
in the journals.
Follow these rules:
1) One person writes an entry then the other person writes. All of the
writing will stay together in the same notebook.
2) Date each entry and write in ink as legibly as possible. Do not
type the entries. Grammar, spelling, and mechanics are not
graded.
3) Include the title of the book in the first entry, and write a
minimum of ten lines for each entry. Be sure to sign your name at the
end of each entry.
4) Do not start a new page for each entry. Just skip a line and continue
writing. You should also write on the back side of pages.
5) In your journal, focus on the book’s life lessons. Share your reactions
to what you read. Ask your partner questions and write back about
your ideas, feelings, and similar experiences.
6) Parents: Guide the “discussion” toward learning. Pick out teachable
moments. If a character gets thrown into jail, mention to your child
your family values regarding behavior and decision making. Also,
make your child write at a deeper level. Example: Parent asks,
“Would you like to move to a new school?” Student poorly replies, “I
would not like moving to a new school.” Make sure your child knows
to explain the reasons and include thoughts and feelings.
7) Students: Don’t summarize the book.
8) Make sure you answer any questions that your partner asks.
Project Goals
I want to get parents involved with school. I know many of you are
involved already. I also know that 11, 12, and 13 year olds push their
parents away in order to gain their independence. By doing this assignment
students are asking their parents to get involved. Use this time to strengthen
your relationship with your child. Many of you may have a favorite book
that you want your child to read. Now is a great time to do that.
I want students to talk to their parents. Many young adult novels
deal with issues that affect teenagers. Use this time to talk about some
heavy issues that are sometimes uncomfortable to bring up.
I want to help students get their AR points. Some students wait until
the end of the quarter to get their AR points and then run out of time, which
negatively affects their grade. Students not only get points for their journals,
but they also can get AR points for this project if they pass the AR test.
READ! READ! READ!
FAQ
Do they have to do this for every book they read? No, this is a one
time thing.
How much is this assignment worth? This assignment is worth 15
points, plus the students get AR points for first quarter if they pass the test.
What if I choose not to read with my child? You can find another
adult (out of high school) to read with your child. Students will earn a zero
out of fifteen if no one reads with them. If you need help finding a partner
for your child, send me a note or an email as soon as possible.
How is the assignment graded? The items in bold print on the first two
pages of this handout are what I grade. If these guidelines are not followed,
I will deduct points. I do not grade spelling, grammar, and mechanics.