Two-Way Journal A New Way to Respond to Reading

How it works:

Two students decide to read the same book. Book possibilities are endless, but must meet these criteria: Challenging young adult fiction such as those on recommended reading list. No series books except those by Rowling, Tolkien, Paolini or Jacques. The book must be one neither student has read before.

Your partner must be another student in your grade at St. Bernard Middle School. Siblings may not partner. Submit contract to Mrs. Lo for approval. The pair of students maintains a journal. Each student writes in the journal every other night. The journal passes from one student to the other student every day. When you receive the growing journal, read the entry by the other person, then write your own entry. Then pass the journal back the following day. Bring the journal to class every day.

The format. You may 1) have a joint discussion forum where you write back and forth in the class Moodle, 2) keep a spiral notebook and pass it back and forth, 3) each type your ideas to each other, keep the letters in a folder, and pass the folder back and forth, 4) send emails to each other. Unless you have neat handwriting, expect to type your work so that your partner and the teacher can read it. The contents. Write letters back and forth about what you are thinking about what you read. Give your ideas, your opinions, and ask questions. No credit for plot summaries! What did you think when.? I thought.. Expect to write at least 100 words for every entry, 200 for an A. Over 3 weeks, each student will write at least 5 entries. Grading Rubric (grading is for each individual student)
A B Student writes in journal every other day at least 5 entries. Student writes at least 200 words per entry. Student has written thoughtfully. Student has participated in a written conversation about the book. Student has explored ideas about the book with partner. Student has gone into ideas thoroughly and deeply, not superficially. Journal is neat and legible. Student writes in journal every other day at least 5 entries. Student writes at least 100 words per entry. Student has written thoughtfully. Student has participated in a written conversation about the book. Student has explored ideas about the book with partner. Student has gone into ideas thoroughly and deeply, not superficially. Journal is neat and legible.

C
D Student writes in journal every other day at least 4 entries. Student writes less than 100 words per entry. Student has written thoughtfully. Student has participated in a written conversation about the book. Student has explored ideas about the book with partner. Student has gone into ideas superficially.

Student writes only 3 entries. Student writes less than 100 words per entry. Student work is superficial, and not a conversation. Journal is often not legible.

F.B. Lo

Revised 11/10

Contract for Two-Way Reading Journal

Name of First Student: ___________________________________ Name of Second Student: ________________________________ Homeroom: __________ (Example 8A) Homeroom: __________ Book Title: __________________________________________________________________________ Book Author: ____________________________________________________ Has either student read this book before? If yes, who? _____________________________________ We will obtain the two copies of the book we need by doing what to get it________________ by November 23. (If you cant get to the public library or bookstore before start date, choose another book.) We will bring the books to class by November 23 to prove to Mrs. Lo that we have the books. We agree to Read this book at the same time. Finish the book within three (3) weeks. Maintain a journal to pass back and forth between us. The format for the journal we have chosen is (select one):

Moodle discussion thread. E-mail. Our e-mail addresses are: _____________________________________________ ______________________________________________ We will remember to keep a copy of the e-mail before we send it. Type and maintain in folder we exchange. Spiral notebook we exchange.

We will bring our work to class every day, so that we can share our work with our teacher and our class. (This means e-mails must be printed.; this is the responsibility of the sender of the e-mail.) We will read each others letters and reply thoughtfully and deeply. We will write at least 100 words in each of our entries. (for a B) Each of us will write at least 5 entries over a three-week period. First entry due Nov. 30. __________ Date Due Date for Completed Journal: Dec 15. __________________________ Signature of second student ____________ Date

Start Date: Nov. 23.

__________________________ Signature of first student

_________________________________ Print name

________________________________ Print name