Q: Where do I find a book for this assignment?
A: This is a great question! After all, you can't read if you don't have a book. It's best to buy your book so you can underline new words or write in the margin key ideas or questions. I suggest going to a local bookstore. Click HERE for a list of my favorite local used bookstores and other places to get your book. |
Q: How do I research book titles?
A: Great question! I've created a tutorial video answering this question. Click HERE to find the video and list of suggested titles. Your book must be close to 200-300 pages or more.
Q: Can I buy the eBook version of my book?
A: No. I prefer that you buy a hard copy. I find that students do better with this project when they have a physical copy of the book, one they can write in, mark up, etc. If you feel that you would do better with an eBook, come to my office hours and talk to me about it. If you have a good case, I might change my mind. You can find used copies of books as cheaply (or even free) as the eBook. I promise.
Q: Can I read a textbook from another class for this assignment?
A: No. I understand that you want to "double-dip," which means doing one thing to fulfill two requirements, but this will not work for this assignment. I'm asking you to choose a chapter book, one with a story. Trust me! It's very difficult (and boring) summarizing textbooks. This assignment is meant to be fun and allow you to learn about the great literature we have in English.
Q: Can I change my book choice?
A: Unfortunately, no. Once I approve your book choice (via email), you are stuck with what you get. That is why the researching part of this assignment is so important! Do not put a book you don't want to read in your email to me. I will assume that you are sincerely interested in all the books you tell me about. Choose wisely! Email me for suggestions if you're stuck. (My email is on your syllabus.)
Q: How often should I read in the Academic Skills Center (tutoring center)?
A: Great question! I suggest every day the Academic Skills Center is open; however, I understand that our lives are busy, so I'm requiring 5 times before your presentation (only one will count per week). It's best if you can spread out the visits, but if you really want to, you can do all your visits the first weeks of class.You must read at least 15 minutes or more before asking for a teacher to initial your game plan.
Q: How often will you check our "game plans"?
A: Assume that I will check it every day you have class. This may not always be true, but you should always have your "game plan" up to date and ready to show me any time you see me. Most likely, I will check them during scheduled quizzes, but it might happen at other times as well.
Q: What should I do if I lose my "game plan"?
A: Email me, your teacher, immediately! (My email is on your syllabus.) Tell me in the email that you lost your game plan and that you need an appointment as soon as possible. Then, bring your chapter book to our meeting, and we will create a new game plan together. You may lose some points, but if you contact me as soon as possible, you won't lose too many (or any at all). We'll talk about your grade in private during our meeting.
Q: What should I do if I lose my book?
A: Email me, your teacher, immediately! (My email is on your syllabus.) Tell me in the email that you lost your book and that you need an appointment as soon as possible. During our meeting, we will talk about our options (library, buying a new one, etc.). You may lose some points until we figure out the best solution, but if you contact me as soon as possible, you won't lose too many (or any at all). We'll talk about your grade in private during our meeting.
Q: Can I watch the movie of my book?
A: I'd prefer that you didn't watch the movie until after your presentation. In order to fulfill our class competencies, I need you to read your chapter book, not watch the movie. If you've seen the movie before, it's okay; don't rely on your knowledge of the movie to do this assignment. You will, particularly, have difficulty completing the report section of this assignment if you only watch the movie. Besides, books are often very different from their movies, so I'll be able to tell if you read the book or not during your presentation and/or when I ask you questions about your book in class.
Q: What is a "game plan"?
A: Good question! I will explain this in more detail in class, but in simple terms, your game plan is something you create (using the worksheet I give you) that shows you and me your plan for completing your assigned book before the end of the semester. It tells you how many pages a week (or a day) you need to read so you don't have to do it all at the end. It's something that you will adjust often. In addition, you will obtain signatures as you read with a tutor (or in the ASC). Click HERE for more information.
Q: What if a tutor is busy and can't read with me while I'm in the Academic Skills Center?
A: In a perfect world, you would read with a tutor every time you're in the center, but you're right! Sometimes the center is busy, and a tutor can't sit down and read a chapter or two with you. (Evenings or Fridays, by the way, are usually the best time to read with a tutor.) If all the tutors are really busy, just read in the center. There's a quiet side room you can go to if it's noisy. It's a good place to be anyway. Even if they're busy, tutors can help you with vocabulary words. Raise your hand or prop up one of the orange cones (like I showed you when we visited the center). Please do not use a translator while reading! You must read at least 15 minutes or more before asking for a teacher to initial (give a signature on) your game plan.
Q: Can I read with a tutor in the Writing Center?
A: Unfortunately, no. The writing center doesn't usually have reading tutors on staff. Also, the writing center is appointment based only, so dropping in to read won't be appropriate. Again, the signatures for your game plan must come from tutors in the Academic Skills Center.
Q: Will you sign my "game plan" if I read with you?
A: Maybe. If I you find me in the Academic Skills Center, during a time that I'm scheduled to be there, and there are not other students in the center, I will read with you and sign your game plan. If you make an appointment to read with me, however, I will not. Appointments with me are meant to help you answer questions about your grade and/or help you improve your writing assignments. Reading can be done in the center with other tutors. I don't want to take their job away from them. Do not ask for a signature from me during our writing project conferences.
Q: What should I do if I'm absent on a "Free Read" day?
A: As stated in my syllabus, it's best to plan ahead if you're going to be absent. Tell me two or more days ahead by email. Please ask me whether or not we plan to have a free read day, and I will give you instructions via email (or by appointment) what to do. This is the same in cases of emergencies (flat tire, broken leg, etc.). Email me as soon as possible so we can make arrangements that will best fit your situation. If you do not email me either prior to your absence or the day of your emergency, I will assume that you did not have a good reason for missing, and you will lose these points.
Q: What should I do if I finish my book early?
A: You finished your book early? Awesome! Did you like it? Form an opinion so you'll be prepared for the presentation. Maybe write down some ideas about what your favorite (or least favorite parts) were. Choose another book to read in English OR reread the book. It's a really good habit to always have a book to read. This will consistently help you improve your vocabulary, spelling, and overall English comprehension. Please bring your new book to class every day in case we have free reads to complete. I expect you do read something in English throughout the whole semester.
Q: Should I make a power point for my presentation?
A: More instructions about the presentation portion of this assignment will be given on Canvas as we get closer to the end of the semester. The short answer is: NO! You will not make a power point for this short book talk presentation. You will be speaking for 4 minutes. You will not read your presentation.
Q: When is my presentation?
A: Look on your syllabus to see the presentation days. You won't know which day you are until the first day of presentations. I always draw names out of a hat and then we go in that order. Be sure to attend all presentation days because you will be graded on your LISTENING as well as your actual presentation.
A: Great question! I've created a tutorial video answering this question. Click HERE to find the video and list of suggested titles. Your book must be close to 200-300 pages or more.
Q: Can I buy the eBook version of my book?
A: No. I prefer that you buy a hard copy. I find that students do better with this project when they have a physical copy of the book, one they can write in, mark up, etc. If you feel that you would do better with an eBook, come to my office hours and talk to me about it. If you have a good case, I might change my mind. You can find used copies of books as cheaply (or even free) as the eBook. I promise.
Q: Can I read a textbook from another class for this assignment?
A: No. I understand that you want to "double-dip," which means doing one thing to fulfill two requirements, but this will not work for this assignment. I'm asking you to choose a chapter book, one with a story. Trust me! It's very difficult (and boring) summarizing textbooks. This assignment is meant to be fun and allow you to learn about the great literature we have in English.
Q: Can I change my book choice?
A: Unfortunately, no. Once I approve your book choice (via email), you are stuck with what you get. That is why the researching part of this assignment is so important! Do not put a book you don't want to read in your email to me. I will assume that you are sincerely interested in all the books you tell me about. Choose wisely! Email me for suggestions if you're stuck. (My email is on your syllabus.)
Q: How often should I read in the Academic Skills Center (tutoring center)?
A: Great question! I suggest every day the Academic Skills Center is open; however, I understand that our lives are busy, so I'm requiring 5 times before your presentation (only one will count per week). It's best if you can spread out the visits, but if you really want to, you can do all your visits the first weeks of class.You must read at least 15 minutes or more before asking for a teacher to initial your game plan.
Q: How often will you check our "game plans"?
A: Assume that I will check it every day you have class. This may not always be true, but you should always have your "game plan" up to date and ready to show me any time you see me. Most likely, I will check them during scheduled quizzes, but it might happen at other times as well.
Q: What should I do if I lose my "game plan"?
A: Email me, your teacher, immediately! (My email is on your syllabus.) Tell me in the email that you lost your game plan and that you need an appointment as soon as possible. Then, bring your chapter book to our meeting, and we will create a new game plan together. You may lose some points, but if you contact me as soon as possible, you won't lose too many (or any at all). We'll talk about your grade in private during our meeting.
Q: What should I do if I lose my book?
A: Email me, your teacher, immediately! (My email is on your syllabus.) Tell me in the email that you lost your book and that you need an appointment as soon as possible. During our meeting, we will talk about our options (library, buying a new one, etc.). You may lose some points until we figure out the best solution, but if you contact me as soon as possible, you won't lose too many (or any at all). We'll talk about your grade in private during our meeting.
Q: Can I watch the movie of my book?
A: I'd prefer that you didn't watch the movie until after your presentation. In order to fulfill our class competencies, I need you to read your chapter book, not watch the movie. If you've seen the movie before, it's okay; don't rely on your knowledge of the movie to do this assignment. You will, particularly, have difficulty completing the report section of this assignment if you only watch the movie. Besides, books are often very different from their movies, so I'll be able to tell if you read the book or not during your presentation and/or when I ask you questions about your book in class.
Q: What is a "game plan"?
A: Good question! I will explain this in more detail in class, but in simple terms, your game plan is something you create (using the worksheet I give you) that shows you and me your plan for completing your assigned book before the end of the semester. It tells you how many pages a week (or a day) you need to read so you don't have to do it all at the end. It's something that you will adjust often. In addition, you will obtain signatures as you read with a tutor (or in the ASC). Click HERE for more information.
Q: What if a tutor is busy and can't read with me while I'm in the Academic Skills Center?
A: In a perfect world, you would read with a tutor every time you're in the center, but you're right! Sometimes the center is busy, and a tutor can't sit down and read a chapter or two with you. (Evenings or Fridays, by the way, are usually the best time to read with a tutor.) If all the tutors are really busy, just read in the center. There's a quiet side room you can go to if it's noisy. It's a good place to be anyway. Even if they're busy, tutors can help you with vocabulary words. Raise your hand or prop up one of the orange cones (like I showed you when we visited the center). Please do not use a translator while reading! You must read at least 15 minutes or more before asking for a teacher to initial (give a signature on) your game plan.
Q: Can I read with a tutor in the Writing Center?
A: Unfortunately, no. The writing center doesn't usually have reading tutors on staff. Also, the writing center is appointment based only, so dropping in to read won't be appropriate. Again, the signatures for your game plan must come from tutors in the Academic Skills Center.
Q: Will you sign my "game plan" if I read with you?
A: Maybe. If I you find me in the Academic Skills Center, during a time that I'm scheduled to be there, and there are not other students in the center, I will read with you and sign your game plan. If you make an appointment to read with me, however, I will not. Appointments with me are meant to help you answer questions about your grade and/or help you improve your writing assignments. Reading can be done in the center with other tutors. I don't want to take their job away from them. Do not ask for a signature from me during our writing project conferences.
Q: What should I do if I'm absent on a "Free Read" day?
A: As stated in my syllabus, it's best to plan ahead if you're going to be absent. Tell me two or more days ahead by email. Please ask me whether or not we plan to have a free read day, and I will give you instructions via email (or by appointment) what to do. This is the same in cases of emergencies (flat tire, broken leg, etc.). Email me as soon as possible so we can make arrangements that will best fit your situation. If you do not email me either prior to your absence or the day of your emergency, I will assume that you did not have a good reason for missing, and you will lose these points.
Q: What should I do if I finish my book early?
A: You finished your book early? Awesome! Did you like it? Form an opinion so you'll be prepared for the presentation. Maybe write down some ideas about what your favorite (or least favorite parts) were. Choose another book to read in English OR reread the book. It's a really good habit to always have a book to read. This will consistently help you improve your vocabulary, spelling, and overall English comprehension. Please bring your new book to class every day in case we have free reads to complete. I expect you do read something in English throughout the whole semester.
Q: Should I make a power point for my presentation?
A: More instructions about the presentation portion of this assignment will be given on Canvas as we get closer to the end of the semester. The short answer is: NO! You will not make a power point for this short book talk presentation. You will be speaking for 4 minutes. You will not read your presentation.
Q: When is my presentation?
A: Look on your syllabus to see the presentation days. You won't know which day you are until the first day of presentations. I always draw names out of a hat and then we go in that order. Be sure to attend all presentation days because you will be graded on your LISTENING as well as your actual presentation.