Journal Due Dates-

Blue: Tuesdays

Green: Wednesday

Red: Thursdays

Yellow: Fridays

Reading Response Journal Rubric

2 Correct friendly letter format including date, greeting, closing, and signature. Letter Format 1 Friendly letter format, but missing one element. 0 Not in friendly letter format, or friendly letter format is incorrect.

2 Response is written neatly and legibly.

Neatness 1 Response is difficult to read/understand in some spots due to handwriting

0 Response is unable to read/handwriting hinders understanding

2 All questions are answered with details and explanations.

Response to Questions 1 Questions are answered vaguely/Not all questions are answered

0 Questions are not answered at all.

2 Summary picks up from last entry and includes the important events/information that has been read since then.

Summary 1 Summary does not pick up from last entry/Summary does not include important events or is difficult to understand.

0 Summary is not present.

6 Student chooses a response topic from the provided list to discuss in journal entry. Response is thoughtful and shows evidence of thoughtful reading.

Response to Reading 5-4 Student responds to text, but uses simple strategies such as asking questions or making predictions. The student does not show evidence about thinking deeply about his/her reading

3-0 Response to text is minimal or not present at all.

6 There are no errors in any of the above areas.

C.U.P.S.= Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation, and Spelling 5-4 3-1 0 Errors are very limited There are several There are 5 or more (1-2). errors (3-4). errors.

Reading Response Journal Requirements: You will be completing a Reading Response Journal every two weeks. The purpose of this journal is to discuss your reading in a written format. Think of it as a reading conference on paper. I want to know about the books you are reading and how you are thinking as a reader. When you write to me, each entry should relate back to the previous one. I will be writing to you as well, so you need to be sure to read my response and answer any questions I may have had for you. However, this is not just a summary of your reading. I want to know what you think about as you read and how you are making sense of the text. This means you may need to take notes as you read using post-its. Here are some things you may want to tell me about in your journal entries: Fiction Prompts
y Interesting vocabulary words you find, what you think they mean, and why you found them interesting. What you visualized as you read (this may be a detailed picture, but you will need to include a caption) Explaining why an event you read about is important Inferences about characters and events How your thinking or understanding has changed since the beginning of the story Connections you had while you read (Text Self, Text World, Text Text) Whether or not you agree with something a character does or says Something you found confusing, interesting, exciting, etc. What you wish/hope happens in the story and why Your opinion of the characters How you felt as you read y y y

Nonfiction Prompts
What information surprised you? How can you use this information in your life? What information do you question or think might not be correct? How might you check it out? What is the most important thing you have learned? Why? What is the most interesting thing you read? Why? What techniques does the author use to make this information easy to understand? What vocabulary words have you learned that are important to the topic? Why are the important? Create a text feature that you think will help readers better understand the text and explain why you created it. How your thinking or understanding has changed since the beginning of the book Connections you had while you read (Text Self, Text World, Text Text)

y y y y

y y y y y y y y y

y y

These are just some of the many different things you can tell me about in your journal. I am not putting a limit on how long your writing should be, but I am expecting it to be something that takes time. Try to work on your journal a little each day in class instead of leaving it until the last minute. I will try to give reminders, but it is ultimately your responsibility to remember. Late journals will lose one letter grade for each day they are late. Journals that are not handed in by the end of the week will be given a ZERO.
I have read and understand the requirements for completing my Reading Response Journal, and know the day that my journal is due. I know failure to complete my journal will significantly impact my reading and writing grade. Student Signature:______________________________________________________________________