"A child who reads will be an adult who thinks"

Book Study Guidelines

Your book and Interactive Notebook (formerly, composition notebook) will need to be with you in class EVERY DAY for the duration of the school year. While reading, you will have to keep a record of the following:
  • Annotations and Color-markings
  • Literary Devices (Techniques and Elements)
  • Literary Analysis
  • Literary Criticism
  • Word Hoard
  • Dialectical Journal
  • Discussion Log
Keeping these records can show your understanding of what is being read and how it is written. Your Interactive Notebook will also allow you to explore subject matter, theme, style, effect, tone and technique. You will keep records of these items each day and be assigned a rubric for grading.

Book Study Homework and Classwork

Each night during the Book Study, you are to read the assigned chapters, which will usually be two each night, except weekends when we read six--two each weekend night from Friday through Sunday. After you read, you will complete either or all of the following below, as assigned:
  • Word Hoard
  • Dialectical Journal Commentary
  • Group Discussion Log
  • Socratic Seminar

Please note: it is easy to get behind/off-track if you don't keep up with your reading, journaling, commentary and discussions. If this happens, your grade(s) will drop dramatically. Therefore, it is important that you pace yourself and take responsibility for your learning.
Due Date: Your Dialectical Journals will be due each day in class after a night of reading or as assigned. Late entries will not be accepted. By the middle or end of class or the school day is considered late and will not be accepted. No exceptions.

Book Study Grading Rubric

Click here to download your rubric. Tape, glue or staple it inside your Interactive Notebook.

​The Book Store

For your convenience, I have added two book stores below to make book purchases for our class fast, easy and convenient. I recommend looking in the Used Books sections of the stores so you can get the least expensive price possible. (e.g., In the past, some students have been able to purchase all three for $.99 each and two have been lucky to find them for a penny each. The possibilities are endless.) Also, before you make your purchasing decision, look in both stores to compare prices and buy from the store that's most affordable!