Individualized Reading Program (IRP)

Welcome to my webpage! In every aspect of your lives, reading is important! You need to be able to read instruction manuals to put together and operate electronics, to bake a cake, or to find out what's going on in the news. Reading is also a very important way that you can relax. In our classroom, we will create an Individualized Reading Program (IRP) that will help you learn about what kind of books you like, what your reading strengths are, what you would like to work on in your reading, and how to set goals for your individual reading. IRPs are cool because each person reads the kind of books that interest them the most! You'll find out about the types of books that you already like to read, and you'll hopefully find some more books that will interest you, too.

But how can I pick what kind of book I'd like to read?

Sometimes you don't have a lot of information to use to make a choice about reading a book. Be sure to use all the information that you're given! Look at the book jacket. Does the author, description, and cover picture seem interesting? Does the title make the book sound like something you'd like to read? You'll have to trust a sense that you will eventually develop. When you've read many books, you'll feel that a book just seems appealing to you, or really won't interest you at all. Try asking your friends what books they have liked, or asking a library expert or teacher what books might interest you. Just try to share your reasoning with someone else around you. This will help you to think about just what it is that you're looking for in a "good" book.

What if I don't end up liking my choice? Do I have to keep reading until I finish the book?

NO, NO, and . . . NO! Once you start reading a book, you should try to decide if you're liking the reading. If you don't enjoy reading the book, you do not have to keep reading. DO try to read a little bit of the book and get a real feel for the text before you reject it. There are many different books available to you - there's no reason to settle for a book that just doesn't interest you. Give the book a try, and then give up and look for something better suited to your tastes!

What kind of goals should I set for my reading, and how can I set them?

In life, it's important to set your own standards for what you wish to accomplish, what you are able to accomplish, and what is important to you. In this IRP, YOU will be responsible for setting reasonable goals for yourself, and YOU will be responsible for following through and meeting those goals. Use a Reading Goal Record to help decide how much of a book you will read, and to note whether or not you actually meet that goal. At the midpoint and endpoint of the semester, you will each meet with me (the teacher) individually to talk about how you are accomplishing those goals, and what you can do to be even more successful. Be reasonable - choose a goal that you can attain, but remember to stretch yourself a little bit. If you set a goal that you can meet in five minutes, then you won't really be teaching yourself a lot about growing as a reader.

Some helpful links:

Letter to parents

Pre/Post Evaluation Forms (What I already know about reading, What I learned about reading)

Reading Interest Inventory Form

My Dream Library

Book Promotion -How to Recommend a Book to a Classmate

Reading Goal Record

Conference Planning Sheets (Midpoint and End of Term)

Plan idea by consultation of

Beach, Richard W.W. and James D. Marshall. Teaching Literature in the Secondary School. San Diego,