I The Book Whisperer Adapted from

Independent Daily Reading
Adapted from
The Book Whisperer
What is IDR?
• Independent—alone; to yourself; on
your own
• Daily—plan for it every day
• Reading—you read a book, newspaper, or
magazine. You come to class prepared
to read—you are not shopping for a
book in the library or wasting time.
Every Day:
1. Chart your book in your Red Reading
Folder (this is only for books read IN
class)
2. Read for 20 minutes of class time
(until timer rings)
3. Chart where you stopped reading and
record books onto your 40 book
challenge in RN.
Daily In Class Reading Log
Date: Today’s Date
Book Title: Title of the book
you are reading right now.
Start page: The page that you
are starting on today in class.
(Ex: 72)
End page: The page that you are
stopping at in today’s class.
(Ex:100)
Goal: I think I can read 20
pages before I return to class—
because I am reading for 20
minutes outside of class. So I
should be able to get to page 120
by our next class. **Everyone’s
goal should be at least 10 pages.
X: Mrs. Arnold completes this
part. Checkmark if you
completed your goal and X if not
completed.
F,OH,A: This is information
about a book you were reading.
F=Finished
OH=On Hold
A=Abandoned
Weekly:
Vocabulary:
Purpose-Vocabulary is meant to increase your knowledge of the English language. It also
establishes good habits. As you get older and read more difficult material, it becomes
increasingly important to recognize words you do not know and use a dictionary to find out what
they mean.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
You should add 2 words a week to your vocabulary list. By
Friday of the week, these vocabulary words should be
completed and ready for review (sentence from story,
dictionary definition, what it means to me, and an illustration).
You must write the entire sentence from your book including
the page number.
You must choose the best definition (not just the first one),
then write the entire definition.
DO NOT wait until the day vocabulary words are due to fill in
words all at one time.
The words must come from the book that you are reading.
2 Terms per Week
Book Title: The title of the
book.
Term: Unknown vocabulary
word.
Definition: Dictionary
definition of the word.
What it means to me: Your
interpretation of the
definition.
My Understanding: Circle
your level of understanding of
the definition. 1 = don’t
understand, 5=complete
understanding.
Illustration: Draw a picture to
represent the term.
Pg.# and Sentence from
Selection: What page did you
find this term. Write the
direct quote from the book
using this term. Be sure to use
quotation marks (“ “).
Once Every 9 Weeks
Book Review:
Purpose-Reviews are a way to share with other
students great books you are reading. You can
also read book reviews on the wall to get great
book ideas:
1. Single Slide Book Review through Google Slides
2. You must use proper punctuation.
3. These will be displayed on the 6-1 Hallway.
**The review is NOT a full summary.**
Mrs. Arnold’s Example:
Once Every 9 Weeks
Book Talk/Book Commercial:
Purpose-Book Talks are a way to share with other students great books
that you are reading. You can also get great ideas for books that you want
to read.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
This is not a summary of the book. DO NOT GIVE
AWAY THE ENDING! Make us want to read your book.
You must start by telling the class the title and author of
your book.
The book talk should be approximately 2 minutes long.
You must share who the characters are and the setting.
Tell us what you think about this book. (I would prefer
that you only book talk books that you enjoyed so that
you are helping other students choose new books to
read.)
Once Every 9 Weeks
Letters to Mrs. Arnold:
Purpose-The letters are a way to communicate with Mrs. Arnold about your
reading. They will help me know what books you are reading and to understand
your thoughts on the books. Letters also help me communicate back with you
about your books in a one on one conversation. Letter writing is also great
practice in using proper grammar skills. The letter is NOT a summary of your
book.
1. You must address the person you are writing with a greeting or salutation.
A comma must follow the greeting. (Example: Dear Mrs. Arnold,)
2. You must include the date
3. You must use proper punctuation in your letter. (Example: capitals and
periods)
4. You must underline the title of any book you mention. (Example: The Raft)
5. You must use a closing in your letter with a signature. (Example: Your
student, Joe)
6. You must write at least a half page.
1 per Nine Weeks
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Greeting/Salutation
Date
Indented paragraphs
Proper grammar
Proper punctuation
Underlined the title of
any books used
Interacted with me
(asked questions, wanted
my opinion)
Gave a reason why they
read this book
Told me what the book
was about without giving
me a summary or telling
me how it ended.
Made personal
connections to the text
At least ½ page; not
typed; legible; neat and
organized
Once A Semester
Book Trailer or Research ProjectWe will discuss at a future time.
Let’s Review Expectations
• Daily—reading & charting
• Weekly—vocabulary (2 words & 2
sentences)
• Nine Weeks—1 book review (hallway), 1
book talk, and 1 letter to Mrs. Arnold
(combined for a Major Summative)
• Semester—book trailer or research
project (Major Summative)