D.E.A.R Time – Writing About Reading
Well, D.E.A.R. time has evolved into something not initially intended. There was a time when D.E.A.R. time was dear and precious to those of us who actually used it to read the books we chose to read. You are still allowed to read what you please so long as it is on or above your reading ability level. What you DO with that selection has changed a bit.
Here’s what is required. To be completely honest this is what I like to call READING ACCOUNTABILITY. We will work on Vocabulary through our personal reading. Click here. See details of that here.
SO . . .
Reading Accountability – Building Progressive Text Comprehension Skills
At each section break in your reading, and at the end of every chapter, you must write a summation entry on one of the following topics:
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For every paragraph you read, write a sentence to summarize it. If you know how to recognize a main idea sentence, then you could just copy it down for each paragraph. If you don’t, you will learn to recognize them as you go through the motions of this accountable way of reading and writing. In the case of dialogue, you may read portions of the conversation, and sum it up as the conversation progresses.
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At the end of each SECTION BREAK and CHAPTER, write
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a prediction based on the events OR
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an evaluation based on the topic OR
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an opinion of the author’s style based on his/her use of literary techniques
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I will assess whether or not each student has mastered main idea sentence writing or identification at bi-weekly, monthly and/or quarterly checks. When I see that this has been mastered and consistently adhered to, I will move the student on to only writing Section/Chapter summations.
When good behavior permits, students are permitted to journal after truly sustained silent reading. Here are a bunch of resources you can use to find journaling help:
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Here’s something from About.com – How to Keep a Reading Log or Book Journal
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Here’s another one I found – Journal Prompts
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Here’s yet another one I found – Journal Prompts from some guy named Tomlinson
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Non-fiction anyone – Nonfiction Journal Prompts
- Other resources can be found by searching “Reading Journal Prompts”.
So, there ya’ have it.
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