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Sunday, December 16, 2012

A Reading Diary



This is a special kind of diary that is intended to encourage primary school pupils to engage with literature. While reading, pictures are created, thoughts and ideas are developed, questions are raised and the imagination runs wild. Undoubtedly, it is worth keeping all these impressions in a reading diary.
A self-chosen text forms the basis for the work with such a diary. Therefore, it is possible to use a fairytale, a book for young readers, a comic or even the lyrics of a song in order to support pupils in dealing with a text. Moreover, it can help pupils to assimilate certain topics they are confronted with while reading. On the basis of specific tasks, they can practise both their reading and writing skills and organize their “reading time” individually. As a result, an autonomously guided learning process is achieved, steered by their own wishes. 

Here are some typical tasks which can be found in a reading diary:
1)      Poem > Write a “Poem of Senses” according to your text. (I see …, I hear …, I smell… , I feel …)
2)      Letter to the author > What do you want to tell the author of your text? Do you have any questions? Write a letter.
3)      Memories > In your text, there is something you definitely do not want to forget. Note it down, so that it stays in your mind.
4)      Recommendation > You like your text. Can you write a book recommendation to your friends and other pupils? Keep in mind: The others should be made curious about your text.
5)      A journey through time > Write your text again. What would it look like in 100 years?   
6)      You want to sell your text. What do you write in your advertisement?
7)      I would like to win this character as a friend, because …
8)      My first thoughts after reading:
9)      Me and my text > You open the door to your text and appear in it. Write a small paragraph in which you appear.
10)  A very important sentence > Did you notice a special sentence? Write it down.
11)  This made me sad > This passage (page and line) made me sad, because …

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