This project involves exactly what it sounds like. Pick a certain event, character, or theme from your independent reading book and compose a song, rap, or poem about your subject. Your creation must not be merely a summary of events, but an analysis of characterization and theme. 1st Quarter Independent Reading Project List DUE: October 31, 2008 A brief summary will be due Tuesday, September 23. In a paragraph, you will tell me what book you chose, along with which 2 projects you will be completing. Also include any questions you have about the assignment. Independent Reading Assignment Independent reading is an important part of our class. We will begin each class with 10-15 minutes of independent reading time. You are accountable for using this time wisely. Please read the notes below. Expectation: All students are required to read one grade-level appropriate book every four weeks. For our independent reading projects, you will create an artistic presentation of your choosing to convey the major ideas and themes of your book. The goal of this project is for you to entice others to read the book. You will then write a two to three page explanation of how your creative work conveys the themes and ideas.

Description

This module discusses how to support interaction and teach communication as students select, read, and discuss age- and ability-appropriate books during independent reading.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will beable to explain how to support communication during independent reading.

Participants will beable to provide a rationale for providing independent reading time for studentswho do not yet use speech, signs, or symbols to meet all of their communicationneeds.

Online Self-Directed Module

Facilitated Materials

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/developing-reading-plans-support-836.html

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Independent Reading Projects For Gifted Students

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Grades	6 – 8
Lesson Plan Type	Standard Lesson
Estimated Time	Three 50-minute sessions
Lesson Author	Blacksburg, Virginia
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OVERVIEW

In this lesson, students brainstorm texts that they have read recently and map their choices using a Graphic Map to rate and make notes about them. Students then look for patterns connecting the texts that they enjoyed the most and those they enjoyed the least. Once they've analyzed their past readings, students complete a reading plan by first listing categories of books they want to read. They then use booklists, book reviews, and other resources to create a wish list of books they hope to read in the future.

FEATURED RESOURCES

Independent reading activities high school

Graphic Map: Students can use this online tool to visually organize books they have read.

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

One of the greatest challenges of an independent reading program is keeping students reading. Katz et. al (2005) explain the predicament teachers frequently face:
'They are frustrated when students linger aimlessly at the bookshelf or book bins. They lose patience when a student finishes one book and loudly proclaims, I'm done. I need another book.' Teachers find themselves becoming reading police, observing their students to catch someone who is not reading. And students don't seem to be accountable for their time, causing some parents and administrators to challenge teachers by suggesting that the students are just sitting there reading' (1)
Independent reading should be grounded in student choice, but without support in the process of selecting books, students can easily flounder. Regie Routman outlines key characteristics of scaffolded independent reading, including 'Student chooses any book to read with teacher's guidance' and 'Student reads just-right' books.' (85). By having students create reading plans, teachers can provide students with the guidance they need, pointing students toward the 'just-right' books, as Routman suggests, and challenging them to try new genres and authors.

Further Reading

Independent Reading Project 6

Katz, Claudia Anne, with Laura Polkoff and Debra Gurvitz. 'Shhh . . . I'm Reading': Scaffolded Independent-Level Reading.' School Talk 10.2 (January 2005): 1-3.

Independent Reading Project High School

Independent Reading Project Ideas 8th Grade

Routman, Regie. 2003. Reading Essentials: The Specifics You Need to Teach Reading Well. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.