Reading+Journals

Levels of Thinking Handout

=‍‍Reading is thinking. = ===‍‍Practice these habits of mind as you read.===

=‍‍Choose a format = Just as we use different skills when we read different kinds of text, we also use different ways of capturing our thinking, depending upon the kind of reading we're doing. Sometimes, writing in your paper journal works best. Other times, it's easier to use a tool like WebNotes to highlight and clip lines from a digital text and add your own annotations (notes--comments, questions, opinions...).

The key is to decide up front what system will work best for you. //How will you organize your notes to keep track of all the reading and thinking you're doing?//
 * Best Practice:** Whether you use a a paper journal or Google Docs, make 4 columns: Date, LOT #, Text Detail, and Commentary

===‍__EVERY ENTRY__ should have the book's __TITLE__, the __DATE__ of the entry, the __LOT #__ you are addressing, a __QUOTE__ from the text, and your own __COMMENTARY__ making that LOT connection.===

**Make reading and journaling** **a habit.** Try to set aside at least thirty minutes a day to read. Journal as you read. If you approach the journal as just an assignment to turn in to me, you probably won't get much out of doing it. But, if you'll try to making reading and inking your thinking a part of your life, it will pay off--big time!

We'll use your journals often in class, so you need it every day. Expect me to check journals occasionally in class and give you a grade for your progress. You'll turn in journals at the end of each grading quarter for a grade. Familiarize yourself with the rubric:

=‍Helpful Links for More Information =

"How to Keep a Reading Log or Book Journal" by Esther Lombardi, About.com

Example of Mrs. Chappel's Journal Newer Sample Journal Entries we talked about in class. Some samples of student journal entries-