Outside+Reading+Requirement

Outside Reading (OR) Assignment

You will read two outside reading books in the first semester. The reading lists posted in class and linked here and provide many options from which to choose. Please see me if your book is not on the list for possible approval. Make sure your selection is school appropriate and meets the approval of your parents. Choose something you actually want to read. This should be enjoyable!
 * The first book you read must be from the memoir list and will be used for an oral prose interpretation.
 * For the second book that must be from this list or approved by me, you will give a persuasive speech convincing your audience to read or not to read your book

Choose the books you’d like to read as soon as possible. I will record your titles and periodically ask for OR updates, which should be about 250 words and should include the title, author, # of pages total and where you are, a brief summary of what’s going on in your book, and what you think about it. (“I’m on p. 67 of 311 pages in //Falling Leaves// by Adeline Yen Mah. Since my last update, Adeline has suffered two more humiliating experiences: her brothers give her nasty lemonade and her father lets the dog eat her duck.”)

=Reading Responses help you focus upon what you have just read. It should be in the form of freewriting; just focus on getting your thoughts and feelings down on paper without worrying about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Use the following guidelines:=
 * 1) Write for 15-20 minutes
 * 2) In the first paragraph, summarize in your own words what is going on in your text.
 * 3) In the second paragraph, write your thoughts and feelings about the piece. How did it make you feel? What questions do you have? What upsets/pleases you?
 * 4) There are no “right answers”… just provide evidence of thought and effort.
 * 5) Be prepared to share these responses in class.
 * 6) Keep all of your responses together in an organized fashion. They should always be available should I ask to see them.