8/6/2019 Two Way Journal

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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 mustmeet 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. Siblingsmay not partner. Submit contract to Mrs. Lo for approval.

The pair of students maintains a journal. Each student writes in the journal every othernight. The journal passes from one student to the other student every day. When youreceive 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 forthin the class Moodle, 2) keep a spiral notebook and pass it back and forth, 3) each type yourideas to each other, keep the letters in a folder, and pass the folder back and forth, 4) send e-mails to each other. Unless you have neat handwriting, expect to type your work so thatyour partner and the teacher can read it.

The contents. Write letters back and forth about what you are thinking about whatyou 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 everyentry, 200 for an A. Over 3 weeks, each student will write at least 5 entries.

Grading Rubric (grading is for each individual student)

A 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.B 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 Student writes in journal every other day at

least 4 entries. Student writes less than100 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.

D 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

8/6/2019 Two Way Journal

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Contract for Two-Way Reading JournalName of First Student: ___________________________________ Homeroom: __________

(Example 8A)Name of Second Student: ________________________________ 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 teacherand our class. (This means e-mails must be printed.; this is the responsibility of thesender 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.Start Date: Nov. 23. First entry due Nov. 30. Due Date for Completed Journal: Dec 15.

__________________________ __________ __________________________ ____________Signature of first student Date Signature of second student Date

_________________________________ ________________________________Print name Print name