Reading Journal Option 1: Summary-Response Journal (250-500 words)
Read carefully, annotating the text as you go. If you “Talk to the Text” while you are reading it, you will remember what you read and will have more ideas about what to write about in your journal.
Then:
1. Write a 1-2 paragraph summary of the reading.
2. Write a 1-2 paragraph response to the reading, keeping in mind some of the most common ways to engage with and respond to readings: commenting, questioning, predicting, and making connections.
3. Create 2 discussion questions that could lead to an interesting conversation, not fact-based yes or no questions. For example, a discussion question about Outliers might be, “What does the 10,000 hour rule imply about any person’s possibility of becoming a “genius”?” This is a much better question than “Did the 10,000 hour rule apply to musicians?”
Reading Journal Option 2: Reading Meta-Analysis Journal (250-500 words)
Read carefully, annotating the text as you go. If you “Talk to the Text” while you are reading it, you will remember what you read and will have more ideas about what to write about in your journal.
Then:
1. Write a 1-2 paragraph explanation of your reading process. How did this particular reading go for you? If you are not sure how to answer this question, choose one or two of the following prompts.
While I was reading,
I felt confused when . . .
I was distracted by . . .
I started to think about . . .
I got stuck when . . .
The time went quickly because . . .
I stopped because . . .
I lost track of everything except . . .
I figured out that . . .
I first thought but then realized that . . .
I finally understood . . .
I remembered that earlier in the book . . .
2. Write down 3-5 “survival words” from this particular reading—words that you feel are important to understand in order to understand the text, or that you have decided to learn as part of your pursuit of college level academic literacy.
3. Define the words you choose and in 1-2 paragraphs explain why you chose them as “survival words.” In other words, explain what an understanding of these words added to your understanding of the reading.
Reading Journal Option 3: The Double-Entry Journal (250-500 words)
Read carefully, annotating the text as you go. If you “Talk to the Text” while you are reading it, you will remember what you read and will have more ideas about what to write about in your journal.
Then:
1. Divide a piece of paper in half (or make a table in Microsoft word) and take notes (aim for 8-12) on the left hand side of what the text actually says (summary or direct quotations).
2. On the right hand side, jot down corresponding reactions, questions, and analysis for each entry.
3. Read over your notes of the reading and write 1-2 paragraphs explaining what you think was most interesting about the reading and what you hope to discuss in class or learn more about.
Ex:
The text says: I say/ask:
“Resilience is the ability to bounce back, to not succumb to failure, substance abuse, mental illness, juvenile deliquency, or other problems when exposed to great stress or adversity in life” (Garrod et al. 3). How does this idea apply to the students included in the book?
This seems like a life skill that would benefit anyone.
I think I might be resilient!
Reading Journal Option 4: Visual to Written Understanding (250-500 words)
Read carefully, annotating the text as you go. If you “Talk to the Text” while you are reading it, you will remember what you read and will have more ideas about what to write about in your journal.
Then:
1. Create a drawing or series of drawings that illustrate the most important parts of the reading.
2. Write 1-2 paragraphs responding to the ideas/parts you illustrated, keeping in mind some of the most common ways to engage with and respond to readings: commenting, questioning, predicting, and making connections.
3. Create 2 discussion questions that could lead to an interesting conversation, not fact-based yes or no questions. For example, a discussion question about Outliers might be, “What does the 10,000 hour rule imply about any person’s possibility of becoming a “genius”?” This is a much better question than “Did the 10,000 hour rule apply to musicians?”
Reading Journal Option 5: Re-Reading Difficult Texts (250-500 words)
Read carefully, annotating the text as you go. If you “Talk to the Text” while you are reading it, you will remember what you read and will have more ideas about what to write about in your journal.
Then:
1. After your first reading of the text, answer these questions in 1-2 paragraphs: What were the most interesting ideas from the reading? What ideas were particularly challenging or difficult to understand? What questions do you have about the reading?
2. Now, look over your answers to #1 and briefly answer these questions: What can you do differently as you re-read the text to better understand the challenging or difficult sections? How can you answer the questions you have about the reading?
3. Take your own suggestions as you re-read!
4. Finally, in 1-2 paragraphs, answer these questions: What concepts did you understand better on your second reading? What strategies were most helpful? What questions do you have now about the reading? What do you think you need in order to fully understand the text?
Reading Journal Option 6: Reading with Friends (250-500 words)
Read carefully, annotating the text as you go. If you “Talk to the Text” while you are reading it, you will remember what you read and will have more ideas about what to write about in your journal.
Then:
1. Write a 1-2 paragraph summary of the reading.
2. Create 3-5 questions that you have about the reading. These can be rather straightfoward, asking about things you are unclear about or don’t fully understand. Ex. “What exactly were the opportunities that Bill Gates had which contributed to his success?”
3. Create 3-4 discussion questions that could lead to an interesting conversation, not fact-based yes or no questions. For example, a discussion question about Outliers might be, “What does the 10,000 hour rule imply about any person’s possibility of becoming a “genius”?” This is a much better question than “Did the 10,000 hour rule apply to musicians?”
4. Share and try to answer each of your questions with a classmate who has also completed the reading.
5. In 1-2 paragraphs write down the fruits of your discussion. What are the most interesting ideas, reactions, comments, and analysis you discussed and came up together? What do you want to share with the class from your discussion?