Independent reading is an important part of any middle school ELA curriculum whether that reading is assigned chapters from a class novel or students’ choice reading, and by using independent reading journals, you can address issues such as focusing on students’ reading, giving credit for their efforts, and assessing their knowledge.
Reading is a solitary activity, and it can be challenging for teachers to assess reading skills. What one student takes away from reading assigned chapters or a novel they chose can be vastly different from what another student takes away from the same reading.
- How can a teacher solve these issues while still keeping independent reading independent?
- How can a teacher know what students read, how they read, and what they got out of their reading when it was done independently?
- How can students get the direction they need with independent reading activities when the teacher is not right there?
One solution to these concerns (and more) is using independent reading journals.
What are independent reading journals?
Independent reading journals are the next step beyond an independent reading log. They generally require students to record the name of text they’ve read, the number of pages, and the briefest of summaries.
You could also use an independent reading journal, such as my Reading Journal Assignment, which goes beyond the traditional reading log. It uses tracking forms, guided journaling, and goal setting as independent reading activities and incorporates formal and informal student conferencing as well. You can find it on Shopify CAD or Teachers Pay Teachers USD.
Why should students be using independent reading journals?
Using independent reading journals gives students structure and direction in their reading. There are several benefits to including reading journals in middle school ELA classes.
They help students stay on track with firm goals in mind
If you’re reading a novel in class, you’re likely to have goals and deadlines in place. It’s nice to use this process for independent reading as well but with a twist – not all students need to have the same end date.
To make this work, have a deadline for the reading journal and require one book to be read within a period of time – I usually recommend a month. However, students can read more than one book within that period and still contribute to their journals. This will differentiate the process for students so they can all go at their own pace, depending on their reading speed.
If a student cannot complete a book independently within a month it might be time to help them find a book more suited to their reading level.
One tip to help this process is to have students work backward from the end date to establish smaller goals along the way. For example – if a student selects a 400-page book they will need to read 12 – 14 pages each day to complete the book in 30 days. Using independent reading journals not only gets students to create their own monthly goals but also helps to keep them on track.
They encourage deeper and more critical thinking as stories progress
When using independent reading journals, they should include a brief summary of the part of the novel read, but they should also focus on ways to deepen students’ connections with the books they’re reading using independent reading activities.
A reading journal is a place for students to communicate thoughts, feelings, and questions about what they are currently reading or have just finished reading.
This can be done through supplied reflection prompts or by encouraging students to follow their curiosity when reading
- What aspect(s) of the book do they find intriguing?
- What more do they want to know about the topic(s)?
It could be drafting a list of questions or maybe going to the next step to complete some research.
They give you, the teacher, a chance to touch base with your students about their reading with directed questions and 1:1 conversations.
While you will have an ultimate deadline for students to submit their independent reading journals, checking in along the way is integral.
Touch base with students by writing in their journals with descriptive feedback or a simple conversational check-in. These informal opportunities always help with relationship building, and they provide more personalized feedback that’s not only quick to complete but also quite impactful.
Complete reading conferences 1:1, where students can share their thoughts or concerns with you. Supply a few key questions before the meeting. This helps calm students’ stress about the conference’s content, and they can prepare accordingly. You might ask students to share where they feel they’ve been successful so far and where they need support. The responses often provide valuable insight.
Additionally, using independent reading journals gives you concrete material to gauge and assess students’ work and progress in their independent reading – something necessary in today’s classroom that just assigning reading does not produce.
Bonuses of using independent reading journals
They provide flexibility in what students read
When created well, reading journals can easily be adapted to fit the needs of you and your students. They can also work with a variety of genres. Student choice is always a good idea!
You can use an Independent Reading Journal Assignment with any book of any genre – from mystery to graphic novel and from poetry to plays.
They provide assessment opportunities during and after reading
Aside from goal setting, journals can be used as a form of assessment. Different assessment choices and opportunities will encourage student engagement.
An assortment of supplied questions or prompts for journal writing topics gives students a chance to write about what they want to write about (within reason).
Giving students the choice to polish any entry for evaluation means that if they’ve had an off day, they can choose a different entry for submission. This gives students more ownership of their learning and can help with their writing confidence, as well.
A Final Word on Using Independent Reading Journals
Using independent reading journals in class provides many benefits for students and teachers, the two main ones being structure and direction, which help with reading engagement.
If you want to learn more about reading engagement, check out this post: The Importance of Reading Engagement.
Considering all the benefits, reading journals cannot and should not take away the fun of reading. We all want to encourage the creation of lifelong readers, and when done well, using independent reading journals can do that.
Independent Reading Journal Assignment
This Independent Reading Journal Assignment makes independent reading more engaging and structured. It includes 6 tracking forms and plenty of journal prompts to keep students organized and accountable during independent reading sessions.
These tools help students take charge of their learning! Simple assessment forms help track progress. This resource is available in print and digital formats to fit your teaching style and classroom setup.
What’s Included:
- Detailed Teacher Instructions
- 6 Reading Tracking Sheets
- Assignment Sheets
- Assessment Rubrics
- Genre Checklist
- Goal Sheets
- Book Lists
- Print & Digital Formats
This resource also includes plenty of tips for getting students to read, book lists for different grade levels, and how to get started with and manage a reader’s workshop.
Help students stay on track with their reading and make assessments easy with this Independent Reading Journal Assignment. You can find it on Shopify CAD or Teachers Pay Teachers USD.
What teachers have said about this resource:
“An excellent long term activity – my strong writers love this format, and weaker readers and writers benefit from the structure for our conferences.” – Sarah M.
“This was a fantastic resource! I had print versions available and Google Slides versions available for students, so they could pick the format they were most comfortable with. The example, format, and rubric were straightforward and easy-to-use.” – Magical and Meticulous
More Articles On Reading Engagement
- 8 Fun Reading Log Alternatives
- 10 Ways to Cultivate a Love of Reading
- 5 Ways Independent Reading Boosts ELA Students
- 10 Creative Reading Response Activity Ideas to Ignite Classroom Engagement
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