Miss Korhn's Language Arts Website

Coral Team Independent Reading (IR) Requirements and Philosophy

Reading for pleasure and knowledge develops critical thinking skills and affects success in all academic areas.  Encouraging your child to read also promotes life long learning.  Therefore, in addition to the selections read in language arts class, each student will be responsible for reading independently.  All Coral team students are expected to have an appropriate book to read for silent reading at all times.  

Although students select books independently, appropriateness is determined by parental approval and teacher feedback.  The book must be at or above his/her reading level.  One book must be read every 4-6 weeks.  I will introduce themes, topics and genres, which will help to guide students in selecting their independent reading books and in developing connections to texts that we are reading in class.   

In addition to reading the books, students will plan and present one small project or presentation on each novel.  The way we found out, on a day-to-day basis, if our students are reading for understanding is by having them complete short, in-class activities, such as discussions about their books and/or writing personal reflections.   

I hope these expectations will help foster a love of reading for your children and will help them become better readers.  As always, I thank you for your support and encouragement.  

Tips for Parents:  How to Help Your Child Find an Appropriate Book

Consider what intrigues son or daughter, and look for a book on that topic.  Some kids love vampires, others want to know about World War II.  We all have different interests!

Read a bit of the book first.  Make sure you feel the content is suitable and the language is challenging enough that your child can use context clues to figure out word meanings, but not so obscure that it disrupts your child's pacing and general understanding of the text.  

If your child struggles with decoding, consider purchasing an audio version of the book.  Be sure your child follows along with the text as he/she listens.

Read the book along with your child, and talk about it!  

Independent Reading Expectations

Students must have an IR book with them at all times during the school day.  In Language Arts, students must have an IR book everyday to earn full Daily Participation and Effort points.  Students are expected to read each night for at least 20 minutes.

Independent Reading (IR) Cycle #3:  Zodiac Character Traits 

For this final IR Project, you will be exploring the personality traits associated with each sign of the zodiac, a system originally used by many ancient societies to track the path of the sun across the sky.  You will be answering the following question:

Based on the traits associated with the signs of the zodiac, which sign best represents your character and why?  

Important Dates:

• Zodiac Traits Reading and Graphic Organizer (in-class work, April 11)

• Finish Book:  Due MAY 4

• Zodiac Traits:  IR Project Graphic Organizer: Due MAY 4

• Open Response Graphic Organizer: Due MAY 9

• Two (2) typed copies of your open response final draft:  Due MAY 11

• Artistic Component: Due MAY 15 (in-class work)

Background Readings: 

In-Class Documents/Activities: 

Project Documents: 

Independent Reading (IR) Cycle #2:  Vivid Illustration with Passage

Choose a vivid passage from your IR book for me to photocopy.  Then, create an illustration of that passage that weaves in (or, integrates) the photocopied passage.  Use at least 2 unique materials to create this project.

Possible Materials:  Paint, Marker, Colored Pencils, Charcoals, Pastels, Construction Paper, Tissue Paper, Foils, Magazines, Newspapers, Photos, Etc.

Important Dates:

December 12:  Choose a passage for me to photocopy by this date.  Please note:  You will not have access to your book for one evening while I do this.

December 15:  In-class work day.

December 21:  Project Due

Miss Korhn's Model of the Vivid Illustration with Passage Project

I chose to illustrate a vivid passage from the novel Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.  In this passage, the protagonist Jacob describes a creature lurking in the woods where he has come across the body of his murdered grandfather.  There were many passages I could have chosen to illustrate, but I decided on this one because when I first read it, the description scared me! 

I integrated my passage into the illustration by cutting and pasting it (literally!) to the leaves surrounding the creature's head.  The passage should be around a paragraph in length.

You can see more clearly the materials I used to create this illustration:  Pencil, Colored Pencil, Black Paint, Construction Paper, and Tissue Paper. 

Do not forget to clearly include the title, author, and your name on the front of your project! 

Student Models of Vivid Illustration 

Independent Reading (IR) Cycle #1:  Soundtrack Project

Create a soundtrack for your novel.  Choose two songs (must contain lyrics) that represent important themes, conflicts, tones, moods, and character traits in your IR book.  Analyze the lyrics for each song and provide evidence (quotes) that show the relationship between the song and the novel.  Then, write a clear summary of the novel and design an "album" cover.

Project Directions and Rubric

Important Project Dates:

Please finish book by:  October 14

Project Due:  October 28