Recommending Reader Assignment

Someone named Mason Cooley once said, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” Since you have to stay where you are during free-reading time Mondays and Wednesdays in this class, we want your reading to take you somewhere you want to go. While we provide you with many lists of books to help you get ideas about books you’d like to read, the best resource is often each other for getting those ideas. 

Task
Think about the books you have recently read or are reading now that were not books assigned to you by a teacher or books we plan to read in this class (see Course Outline). Choose one book that you think is a book other students might enjoy, a book that you particularly enjoyed or felt connected to. Complete a “Recommended Reads” card (see Mr. or Mrs. Davis for these); write a one-page, typed recommendation for the book; and give a two-minute oral presentation on your book.

Requirements

• book chosen must meet free-reading guidelines for this class and not have been chosen by a previous recommending reader
• “Recommended Reads” card must be completed in blue or black ink  This card will be displayed for the class along with a copy of your book. In this card you must describe in a sentence or two what the book is about and then fill the rest of the space with why you recommend this book to other readers (i.e., what is it about this book that made you enjoy reading it).
• typed, one-page recommendation must include the components which appear in the sample recommendation for Zorro by Isabel Allende. Pay special attention to the boxes on the sample. Turn in this typed report on the due date (in addition to submitting your work to turnitin.com)
• typed recommendation must be uploaded to turnitin.com by midnight the day your written work is due (or day after if using procrastination pass). If you do not submit your work to turnitin.com at all, you will receive no higher than a check minus (see scoring guide below).
• oral presentation should be one to two minutes wherein you give a brief synopsis of the book, discuss who might enjoy the book and why you liked it. You must use the microphone for the presentation and have a copy of the book to show the class.

On the day your written work is due, turn in the "recommended reads" card along with the typed, one-page recommendation. This written part of the assignment is normally due the Thursday before the beginning of the month for which you signed up (though we will tell you in class of the exact date). The oral presentation is usually done on the first Wednesday of the month.

Recommending Reader Scoring Guide

Written Work

√+ (10/10)

Both written pieces (green card and word-processed work) are on time

Green card is completed prior to class

Word-processed work meets or exceeds specifications of example

All written work is done carefully with few typos or grammar errors

Typed work is uploaded to turnitin.com on time

√ (8/10)

Both written pieces (green card and word-processed work) are on time

Green card is completed prior to class

Word-processed work meets specifications, may have a noticeable flaw in content

Work is written fairly carefully, but some typos or grammar errors may be present

Typed work is uploaded to turnitin.com on time

√- (6/10)

Both pieces are not turned in on time

Word-processed work doesn’t meet requirements of example

Work is carelessly written with typos, spelling errors, and other flaws

Typed work is uploaded late or perhaps not at all

Oral Presentation

√+ (10/10)

Student speaks one to two minutes and is not significantly over or under time

Student uses good speaking skills (volume, pacing, enthusiasm, eye contact)

Student seems prepared as opposed to just “winging it”

Student has a copy of the book during the presentation

√ (8/10)

Student speaks one to two minutes and is not significantly over or under time.

Speaking skills are evident, but a noticeable flaw may be present

Preparation is apparent but may not be as polished as a check plus presentation

Student may have a copy of the book during the presentation

√- (6/10)

Student does not adhere to time guidelines

Speaking skills are not in evidence; serious flaws exist

Preparation is minimal if at all noticeable

Student may not have a copy of the book

May your reading take you places beyond this room and this time.