Overview

Independent Reading Log

• Each day for homework, you will need to read for a minimum of 30 minutes
• When you are done reading you will need to write a response.
• Use the Response Starters below to guide your writing.
• Throughout the year, use a variety of Response Starters. Don’t get stuck in a rut, writing the same thing each night.
• Responses should thoroughly express your ideas about and understanding of the book you are reading.
• Your Independent Reading Log will be used toward your final Reading Grade EACH marking period.

IRL Response Starters

Starting a New Book:

• I chose this book because . . .
• So far, this book started off . . . I think I will enjoy it because . . . or I am not sure how much I will like this book because . . . (have at least 2 examples from the book to support your claim)

Title/Cover:

• is a title for this book because . . .
• A better title for this book would have been . This would be a much better title because . . . (have at least 2 examples from the book to support your claim)
• The cover of the book includes . . . In the book the images represent . . .

Plot:

• A conflict (problem) from today’s reading was . . . It was resolved by . . . or I think it will be resolved by . . .
• When happened, it caused to happen.
• In today’s reading the following important events occurred . . .

Characters:

• The character, , possesses the following character trait(s). Some examples from the story that support this include . . .
• The character, , said, “ .” Proving that he/she possesses the following character trait of .
• I can relate to the character, because . . . (have at least 2 examples

from the book to support your claim)

• is my favorite character in this book because . . . (have at least 2 examples from the book to support your claim)
• is my least favorite character in this book because . . . (have at least 2 examples from the book to support your claim)

My Reaction:

• The events from today’s reading remind me o a time when I . . .
• I am confused about because . . .
• While I was reading today, the book made me think of . This is interesting because . . .
• As I was reading today, I felt . I felt . I think this was because . . .

Predictions:

• After today’s reading, I predict that . . .
• I had predicted that . What happened was . . .

Compare and Contrast:

• The story I am reading is similar to because . . . (have at least 2 examples from the book to support your claim)
• The story I am reading is very different from because . . . (have at least 2 examples from the book to support your claim)
• The characters and are similar because . . . (have at least 2 examples from the book to support your claim)
• The characters and are different because . . . (have at least 2 examples from the book to support your claim)

Setting/Tone:

• As I was reading, I noticed that this story is taking place in/at . This is important to the story because . . . Otherwise, . . .
• The tone of this book right now is . Some words/evidence that the author uses to show this are , , and .

Imagery and Figurative Language:

• During today’s reading, I found the following 5 strong verbs . . . (use 2 of the strong verbs in original sentences created by you)
• During today’s reading, I found the following 5 descriptive adjectives . . . (use 2 of the descriptive adjectives in original sentences created by you)
• My favorite line from today’s reading was “ .” I liked it because . . .
• I found the following example of a metaphor: “ .” This metaphor is comparing .
• I found the following example of a simile: “ .” This simile is comparing .

Finishing a Book:

• I thought the ending of this book was because .
• If I could change the ending of this book, it would end with . . .
• My favorite part of this book was because . . .
• After reading this book, I would like to read other books by because . . .

My Independent Reading Log

Name

Period

Weekly Date

Directions: Throughout the week (Monday – Thursday), you are to fill in the Independent Reading Log. This is a chance to reflect on what you are reading. Use a different IRL response starter for each new entry. It is your responsibility to turn your IRL Log in every Friday.

*Remember to write neatly in complete sentences!

Monday’s Date	Book Title	Genre	Start Page	End Page	Book Level See * below

IRL Log (Pick a Response Starter and share a little about what you read):

Tuesday’s Date	Book Title	Genre	Start Page	End Page	Book Level See * below

IRL Log (Pick a Response Starter and share a little about what you read):

*BB = Brain Break Book *JR = Just Right Book *C = Challenge Book

Wednesday’s Date	Book Title	Genre	Start Page	End Page	Book Level See * below

IRL Log (Pick a Response Starter and share a little about what you read):

Thursday’s Date	Book Title	Genre	Start Page	End Page	Book Level See * below

IRL Log (Pick a Response Starter and share a little about what you read):

*BB = Brain Break Book *JR = Just Right Book *C = Challenge Book