Reading Response Letters

     This year students will be writing letters to me once a week during Reader’s Workshop. Their letters will be a response to the book they are reading independently.  Letters will always be written in their reading notebooks.  Letters will be due on the day recorded on the front of their notebooks.  Late response letters will not be accepted.  These response letters will be a major part of your child's reading grade this year.  I expect your child to do his/her best each time they turn a reading response letter into me.  This will be a fun way for your child to share their thoughts about the books they are reading with me.  This process will help your child to become more aware of their thinking as they read as well as improve on expressing their thoughts through writing.

            There are certain things students will need to include in each response letter.  The date should always be in the top right hand corner.  Letters will always begin with a greeting and end with a proper closing as well as their signature. Each letter will need to include the title and author of the book they are reading.  Students will need to summarize what they've been reading in their book that week.  They should give me enough evidence to show that they really are reading the book.  Students should include several specific details in each letter.

Most importantly your child will need to share some of their thoughts with me as they relate to the text they are reading, because READING IS THINKING! Students could write about something new they've learned or something that surprised them while they read.  They could write about things they agree or disagree with in their book.  Students could write about any predictions they may have or questions that pop into their minds while they’re reading.  Students can also share connections they made to the text while reading.  

I will expect your child to use their best handwriting in their response journals.  Each letter should be 1 full page.  I can’t wait to read everyone's letters!