Outside Reading Directions and Guidelines Put this in the notes section of your notebook!

What book can I read? You can read almost any book that you want to as long as it fits in the following requirements: You can read almost any book that you want to as long as it fits in the following requirements: At least 200 pages At least 200 pages Something you haven’t read before or won’t read in class this year (no school assigned novels) Something you haven’t read before or won’t read in class this year (no school assigned novels) Proper reading level (i.e. not grade 4) Proper reading level (i.e. not grade 4) No books that have been made into movies No books that have been made into movies Approved by me Approved by me

Extra Credit is possible… Reading a book on the Advanced Placement (AP) list Reading a book on the Advanced Placement (AP) list Reading a book from the Banned book list Reading a book from the Banned book list Reading a book from the Faculty Recommended Reading list Reading a book from the Faculty Recommended Reading list Completing the requirement within a month of ‘library day’. Completing the requirement within a month of ‘library day’. Those are each worth 5 pts. extra credit. Those are each worth 5 pts. extra credit.

The Steps: Book Talk Step 1: Select a book and get it approved by me (all AP books are automatically approved) Step 1: Select a book and get it approved by me (all AP books are automatically approved) Step 2: Read your book and think critically about it. Jot a few notes to help you during our discussion. Step 2: Read your book and think critically about it. Jot a few notes to help you during our discussion. Step 3: Come in during advisory (BY APPOINTMENT) or after school to spend 5- 7 minutes talking about your book. Step 3: Come in during advisory (BY APPOINTMENT) or after school to spend 5- 7 minutes talking about your book. YOU MUST BRING YOUR BOOK WITH YOU SO I CAN LOOK AT IT AND ASK QUESTIONS FROM IT! YOU MUST BRING YOUR BOOK WITH YOU SO I CAN LOOK AT IT AND ASK QUESTIONS FROM IT!

This is a student led project You will be talking to me about your book, why you chose it, what you liked/didn’t like, the plot highlights, etc. You will be talking to me about your book, why you chose it, what you liked/didn’t like, the plot highlights, etc. Be detailed yet succinct (don’t spend 10 minutes telling me unimportant details) Be detailed yet succinct (don’t spend 10 minutes telling me unimportant details) You are expected to talk for around 5 minutes and then I will ask you questions. You are expected to talk for around 5 minutes and then I will ask you questions.

How is a Book Talk graded? The book talks are graded on the following criteria (10 points each category): The book talks are graded on the following criteria (10 points each category): Demonstrated critical thinking Demonstrated critical thinking Used 3 literary terms to discuss the book. Used 3 literary terms to discuss the book. Accurately summarized book Accurately summarized book Fulfilled time requirement Fulfilled time requirement Answered questions thoroughly Answered questions thoroughly

I’m so nervous…what will you ask me? Questions commonly asked: Questions commonly asked: What was your favorite part? What was your favorite part? What was your least favorite part? What was your least favorite part? What was the author trying to say (theme) with this book? What was the author trying to say (theme) with this book? Why did you read it? Why did you read it? What is your opinion of the book? What is your opinion of the book? What was the moral of the story? What was the moral of the story? Who was the antagonist/protagonist? Who was the antagonist/protagonist?

So why should I care about Book Talk? It is worth 50 points towards projects (30% of your grade), which can be very good for you, or very bad, depending on how seriously you take it. It is worth 50 points towards projects (30% of your grade), which can be very good for you, or very bad, depending on how seriously you take it. If you read the book, spend some time thinking about it, and come to book talk prepared to present your book and answer questions about it, your grade will benefit. If you read the book, spend some time thinking about it, and come to book talk prepared to present your book and answer questions about it, your grade will benefit. If you don’t do a book talk (no late passes, no exceptions), you will receive a 0 out of 50. OUCH. If you don’t do a book talk (no late passes, no exceptions), you will receive a 0 out of 50. OUCH.

Book Talk 1 is due: Sophomores 11/20 Seniors 12/10 That is the LAST possible day…which means you need to get it done BEFORE then!!! That is the LAST possible day…which means you need to get it done BEFORE then!!! As soon as you have read the book, come do your book talk. Do not wait and then forget all the details! As soon as you have read the book, come do your book talk. Do not wait and then forget all the details! Extra credit if you complete it by 11/2 Extra credit if you complete it by 11/2

One more tidbit I have put together a faculty recommended reading list. Check out the books that your favorite staff member recommends and have an insightful conversation with him or her about it! I have put together a faculty recommended reading list. Check out the books that your favorite staff member recommends and have an insightful conversation with him or her about it! Bring a note from that teacher saying that you discussed it with him or her and I will give you 5 pts. Extra credit. Bring a note from that teacher saying that you discussed it with him or her and I will give you 5 pts. Extra credit. You still have to do a book talk with me. You still have to do a book talk with me.

Library Expectations You will be finding a book You will be finding a book You will be respectful to the library and the people in it (including your classmates) You will be respectful to the library and the people in it (including your classmates) You will get your book approved, then you will read quietly at a table. You will get your book approved, then you will read quietly at a table. This is your ONLY day to spend in the library for book talk. This is your ONLY day to spend in the library for book talk.