Reading Logs

I hate reading logs. To clarify, I hate reading logs whose only purpose is to make kids keep track of their reading minutes, get a parent signature, and learn how to forge the aforementioned parent signature. However, when a reading log is a brief assignment (this one should take 10-15 minutes) that makes the student interact with the text, well, that's a different story (ha! See what I did there?). Here are my three reading logs that help students work with character, plot, and setting. I assign one reading log a week, and prefer to do one of the versions for a month or so, in order for the students to get better at it.


Name:____________________________________ Period:_________

Book:____________________________________________________


1. Describe the plot of the book you are reading. If you only read part of the book, describe just what you read this week. (5 points)


2. What are some of the the CONFLICTS of the book so far? How are they resolved? (5 points)



Name:__________________________________ Period:________

Book:__________________________________________________

Setting:_________________________________________________

1. Describe one of the SETTINGS of the book. Setting includes place, time, and culture. If you have read this book for more than one week, please choose a different setting (Example: Hogwarts, Platform 9 3/4, 4 Privet Drive). (5 points)




2. How does the setting impact the story? What does it add? How would the story be different if it were set in a different place/time/culture? BE SPECIFIC. (5 points)



Name:__________________________________ Period:________

Book:__________________________________________________

Character:_________________________________________________


1. Describe one of the CHARACTERS. What are his/her strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and qualities? What are some of the circumstances of his/her life? If you have read this book for more than one week, please choose a different character. (5 points)



2. In what ways do you relate to the character? (For example, how do you relate to Harry Potter? If you are not an orphan, you may still relate to his family situation if your parents are divorced and you don't get to see one of your parents often, you have an evil stepmother/father, your parents work a lot and are not around for you, or if you feel your parents don't understand you). (5 points)