Independent+Reading+Projects

//Assistant Professor// // of Developmental English // Back to Dr. Helvie's Main Page ||
 * [[image:ncc-helvie/logo.png height="67" link="@http://www.ncc.commnet.edu/default2.asp"]] || **Dr. Forrest C.Helvie**

Reading comprehension and strong vocabularies are improved by increased reading and if students don't read, they'll continue to struggle in these areas. On the other hand, academic reading isn't always enjoyable... so the purpose of the Independent Reading Projects (or IRPs) will be to help you find readings that you //will// enjoy by allowing //you// to choose what you read!
 * === **Independent Reading Projects** ===
 * ENG 088--College Reading & Writing** ||  ||


 * Here's how it works:**

1. __Your Independent Reading Text.__ Students will one of the following options during the course of the semester. You will need to bring this book or books to class every day and we will have time set aside for you to read once or twice a week in class. Of course, you //will// need to do most of the reading at home if you want to complete your book before the end of the semester.

__**FALL2014 :**__
 * 1. IRP Reading Groups**

By MK Reed and Jonathan David Hill. By Gene Luen Yang and Lark Pien
 * OPTION #1: Standing Up for What You Believe In**
 * a. Americus**. 224 pages
 * ISBN-13:** 978-1596436015
 * b. Saints**. 176 pages
 * ISBN-13:** 978-1596436893

MW 8-10:50am: Astrales, Rohan, Brandon, Alex, and Kyana MW 11:30-2:20pm: Markus, Ricardo, Adraina, Thiago, Luzzette, and Kim O.

By Vera Brosgol By Gene Luen Yang
 * OPTION #2: Becoming American**
 * a. Anya's Ghost**. 224 pages
 * ISBN-13:** 978-1596435520
 * b. American Born Chinese.** 240 pages
 * ISBN-13:** 978-0312384487

MW 8-10:50am: Damaris, Despina, Ana, Joseph, Orlando, Nissy, and Monique MW 11:30-2:20pm: Austin, Lucas, Brendan, Chris, Lori, Jaritza, and Claudia

By Adam Withers and Comfort Love
 * OPTION #3: Celebrating Diversity**
 * a. A Rainbow in the Dark.** 368 pages
 * ISBN-13:** 978-0989852500

MW 8-10:50am: Modesta, Ashley, Devin, Sahil, Matt, and Diego MW 11:30-2:20pm: Dimitri, Avyner, Miranda, Andrew, Madeline, Kim P., and John

2. __Your Independent Reading Journal.__ You will spend time responding in a writer's journal about your thoughts on what you've read up to that point either in class or at home. I will often include some writing prompts for you to choose from to help those of you with writer's block. Additionally, I may assign some prompts that you must respond to as well. I will collect these notebooks periodically to check on your progress, to see what your thoughts on the book you're reading, and to give some feedback if you have some questions for me. Journals will only be graded using the "check" system so students should feel less need to ensure perfection in grammar and structure and focus more on content. Below is a more detailed set of directions on the IRP Journals.

3. __The Capstone Project.__ The specific guidelines for the final project will be discussed after midterms. However, the two primary components will be an individual presentation to the class as well as a written book review based on your IRP book that will be published.

**Writing Prompts for the Formal Journal Responses**
Writer's block? Not sure what to write for a journal free write? Try one of the following prompts!

**Reading Journal Response Questions**
 * What were your three (3) favorite sentences in this book? Explain why you chose these three sentences and how they are significant to the book. (These sentences should not all be from the same paragraph)
 * Describe the character/person who changed the most from the beginning of the book (chapter) to the end of the book (chapter). Explain the change and what caused it.
 * Describe a minor character/ person in the book who had major importance. Explain.
 * Describe one major external conflict and one major internal conflict found in this book.
 * Above you rated this book. Explain in detail why you gave the book that score.
 * Evaluate the ending of this book. Considering how the book unfolded, is it an effective ending? Why? Why not?
 * If this book had gone on one more chapter, what would have happened? Explain.
 * Describe one “imaginative rehearsal” that a modern reader might take from this book. Explain how that lesson is developed.
 * Describe a personal experience that you feel is similar to a situation described in your book. Why do you think it is important to connect with books on a personal level?

The writing prompts were taken directly from Kelly Galagher's //Readicide//. Additionally, the formal journal response form was also heavily influenced from Gallagher as well.