Incoming Freshmen of Anytown High School,
This is your space to share your thoughts about books with your fellow classmates. You can write reviews, ask questions, share comments, and discuss books anytime and anywhere. Not exciting enough?
Okay then, let’s look at it from another perspective. I know that you’re reading quite a bit in your classes and may not have much time for some pleasure reading of your own, but I think this is an unmistakable travesty and hope for a better alternative.
Therefore, I propose that every student in this incoming freshman class read ONE book for pleasure this semester. ONE book–16 weeks to read it. And the best part: YOU get to pick what you want to read. I’m not going to give out a list for you to choose from (though I would be happy to if you’re interested), and I will not limit your selection. Does it have to be appropriate enough to share with your classmates? Yes, of course. If you’re worried about what this means, just ask and I’d be happy to help.
So, how does this really work? Well, by the end of the semester, my hope and goal is for every student to post a “review” of what they read for pleasure. Hmm, sounds a bit backwards, eh? Well, it’s not really, and here’s why:
A book “review” is defined in this case as ANY of the following:
- summary and evaluation of book
- thoughts while/after reading the book
- recommend/not recommend the book and why
- questions about the book and its content
Basically, if you reflect in any way about the book, you’re on target.
Do you have to write a review? No. Would I like you to? Absolutely.
Because this is a brand new project and I would like the most amount of participation possible, I am willing to offer incentives! At the end of the semester, I will select my three top reviews posted to this blog, and those students will receive gift cards to the bookstore of their choice. What do I consider a top review? My only criteria is that it is thoughtful; that is, after all, the premise of this blog. And of course, standard grammar and conventions also apply--write intelligently, no tech-speak.
Some goals I have for this project:
- You’ll think about the things you read. Even when you’re reading for pleasure and that’s the last thing you want to do, you’ll find that you can’t help but to think.
- You’ll learn about your own thought process.
- You’ll find great things to read that you never would have stumbled upon had someone else not shared it with you.
- You’ll support your classmates reading choices and engage in virtual (and hey, maybe even real-life!) discussions with them.
Most of all, I would like this to be a place where you can discuss what you're reading, recommend books to your friends or warn them about dull reads, find out what your peers are reading, and learn to evaluate and think about the things that you are reading and share those opinions with the world.
Can you post more than one review? Sure! You can post as many as the amount of books you have time to read for pleasure. I would also encourage you to comment on your classmates' posts--do you have questions about the book they read? Questions about the review? Maybe you read the same book and wanted to share your own opinions... The possibilities are endless. All I ask is that you keep this space as a discussion forum for BOOKS.
To wrap it all up, think about what you’re reading and articulate it in this here space by the end of the semester, end of story.
