STUDENT EXAMPLE READING LADDER - Weebly



Reading Ladder

Step 1:

Organize the titles of the books you’ve read this semester from least challenging to most challenging, and write them down in list form. Include the title, author, and number of pages. When considering your rankings, think about things such as vocabulary/language, number of characters/settings/plot lines, sentence structure, themes, unfamiliar settings & ideas, interest level, and length of book.

Step 2:

Calculate your overall semester reading rate. Add up the total pages of each of your books and divide by 18 (number of weeks) to get your final weekly reading rate.

EX: 1909 total pages read / 18 weeks = average of 106.05 pages per week

Step 3:

In a well organized paragraph or two (5-7 sentences), reflect on your reading rate. Is it higher or lower than what you expected? Discuss if you are challenging yourself to read more and increase your stamina in order to prepare yourself for high school, or are your current reading habits not making a significant difference in your reading ability and stamina. Do you see improvements? What are you proud of? What might you need to work on?

EX:  My reading this quarter has been… I am proud of… I think I need to work on… I was surprised that… I hope to…       I am finding it challenging to…

Step 4:

Write a review for each book you’ve read this semester (in order) along with the rationale (reason) you have for ranking it “easier” or “harder” on your list (max 10 books). Your paragraph review should be a minimum 5-7 sentences, and should include both a brief summary as well as the ranking rationale. Again, when writing your response, consider vocabulary/language, number of characters/settings/plot lines, sentence structure, themes, unfamiliar settings & ideas, interest level, and length of book.

Step 5:

Set goals for the next semester. Set 5 goals. These should be specific: I will read 5 books by June. I will read at least one nonfiction book. I will read one Jane Austen novel. I will develop an at-home reading habit.

____/20  List of Book Titles, Authors, # of pages ____/50  Book Reviews/Rationale

____/10  Overall Semester Reading Rate ____/10  Five Goals Paragraph

____/10  1-2 Paragraph Reflection

STUDENT EXAMPLE READING LADDER

1. No Right Turn – 256pgs

2. Forever – 178pgs

3. Othello – 154pgs

4. My Orange Duffel Bag – 202pgs

5. Jumping off Swings – 230pgs

6. The Great Gatsby – 189pgs

Reading Rate 1st Semester:

1909 pages read / 18 weeks = average of 106.05 pages per week

Reading Rate Reflection: Reading is difficult for me right now mostly because of comprehension problems and lack of interest. My reading rate is relatively low comparing to classmates, however 1909 pages in 18 weeks is fantastic to me - that is probably more than I’ve read out of books in my life, but I do understand I need to continue growing as a reader and open my mind to different types of literature. I have found myself checking in new areas for books and really asking friends who know me best what they would recommend. This semester has been much different with reading but the main goal from this point forward is to read at home more.

I have improved a lot more than I ever would have thought since the first week of school. I came into this class thinking reading is not my cup of tea - it made my eyes hurt looking at the pages, my brain would pound after reading a chapter, and I wasn’t interested in anything but it did not take long and I wouldn’t put some books down. I’ve been reading more magazine articles and the newspaper every once in awhile also I started to really dig into deeper thought about what I want to read next and a lot of this growth in reading has given me a mental drive to write more, which has always been my favorite topic in school until high school so over all reading is advancing me in more places than reading.

Book Reviews & Text Complexity: No Right Turn was the easiest book I’ve read this semester, however it was my favorite. I was introduced to this book by my friend Joe and I really enjoyed it. I have even considered reading it again. What makes this book difficult for me was the parts when the main character would think back years time and talk about his thoughts but it wasn’t very hard to follow.

The second book would be Forever and this book is a great young adult book in my eyes and a great piece of literature. At times the drama and “girl talk” could be hard to follow and the pregnancy issues were interesting to read about. I really enjoyed this book because it was all high school drama and because I’m a 8th grade adolescent all I am surrounded by during the day is high school drama.

Next I dug up the book Othello this book was difficult not only because it’s a Shakespearean tragedy, but the form it was written in was a play format and I did not enjoy it in the beginning of the book, also when some words didn’t make sense, mostly fault of the old english writing. On the other side of the book a modern version was offered of the same play and this in the end really helped me grow as a reader. That constant struggle with reading is not a good sign, but I overcame that and finally started to understand the tragedy.

After that, the autobiography My Orange Duffel Bag was new in this class and despite the elusiveness of me holding a book at this point I was first on the list to read it and I passed it up at first. However Mrs. Beaton told the class a little bit more about it and I felt the need to give it a chance and I have to admit I really enjoyed it. The difficulty with this book was the few moments reading about his college football life and the only reason I claim this is because I’m adolescent not really a huge fan of sports “jocks” also have never had a true interest in football but this book is much more than that and I’m glad I got the opportunity to read it.

The next book can be argued the most difficult out of two but I really enjoyed it Jumping off Swings was an excellent book I think many young adults should read however the most complicated part with this book is the fact it is told from four points of view and each chapter is a different person’s point of view only changing between the four friends and how they see life drive by. This is a style of writing I am not familiar with however I was interested and would love to try it with a story of my own.

Finally the hardest book I’ve read ever was The Great Gatsby. However I was not a huge fan of this book but I think if I could totally understand it and compare it to the American dream and view any other perks it may have to offer I feel I would appreciate Gatsby a lot more and my respect would build.

Personal Goals: I am more than satisfied with my reading rate and really appreciate the opportunity I have here in class to read like I do. The past seven years of school I spent fake reading and googling books, however I am happy to say I don’t really do that anymore. I am really enjoying reading in school. I still struggle to read at home now and then but as one of my goals I will read 15 books this semester and I will get there without reading any children’s books, but on top of that I will start reading 30 minutes at home every night to strengthen my reading skills. I may have got a late start on the reading and loving books but I’m glad it’s now and not never. Next I would like to read a nonfiction.

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