IMPORTANT HOMEWORK INFORMATION
AND REFERENCE FORMS
(PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND KEEP IN A SAFE
PLACE TO REFER TO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR)
“TAKE-HOME READING”
(THR)
Dear Parents and Students,
NCC fifth graders will be immersed in an exciting reading/language
arts program that includes an independent reading component called “Take
Home Reading”, otherwise known as THR . This program is designed to
encourage and/or maintain a daily reading habit, increase the number of
books children read, and nourish the enjoyment that reading for pleasure
evokes. MCPS expects students to read at least twenty-five books outside
of school during the school year, and NCC’s Take-Home Reading Program will
help students complete this task. Students may read fiction and non-fiction,
and they should choose from a variety of genres which is listed at the
bottom of their Take-Home Reading Log (included in this packet). Students
are encouraged to vary their reading throughout the year. Students should
read approximately THREE books per month to reach their goal of 25
books by June. In addition to their reading, students must write a written
response whenever they complete a book. Please note the following forms
included in this handout:
1. Take-Home Reading Log
2. Six coupons for our monthly raffle
3. Written Response forms (Fiction, Non-Fiction, Comics, Poetry) to
complete with each book read
(Extra copies of each of these handouts will always be
available in class and on the NCC Website)
Student Directions for Nightly “THR” Homework
1. Read for at least twenty minutes each night (Monday through Thursday).
Your reading may include fiction books, non-fiction books, magazines, newspaper
articles, poetry, and comic strip books. (See “Written Responses” forms for details
about poetry and comic strip books.) Refer to the list of genre at the bottom of
your THR log in this packet.
2. After you have completed your reading, record the date, genre, title
and author, and pages read on your THR log. Then, take your THR log
and a pencil to your parent or babysitter, and ask them to initial the
chart. This must be done EVERY NIGHT as part of your homework. If you are
reading a chapter book or a lengthy non-fiction book which will require more time,
you do not need to keep writing the genre, title, and author each night. Simply put
ditto marks (″) in this column, and your teacher will understand that you are
continuing with the same book. If you read your book over the weekend, you should
record the pages in your log, as well. There is an example of how to fill out a THR
log on the back of the blank chart for you to refer to.
3. Each time you finish reading a book, you must carefully complete the
appropriate “Written Response” form included in this packet. Directions
for completing these forms will be reviewed in class. You must complete one
“Written Response” form for each book. Written responses for fiction, non-fiction,
poetry, and comics are different. Please make sure that you fill out the correct
form. THERE ARE PLENTY OF COPIES OF ALL “WRITTEN RESPONSES” FORMS
IN CLASS.
4. When you have finished the written responses, fill out one of the
coupons and have it signed by a parent. Bring your responses and coupon
to class and show your reading teacher. She will check it, and you will
then place the “Written Responses” form in your special file, and your
coupon in the jar. You may put in one coupon for each book you read during the
month. We will hold a raffle at the end of each month in which a name will be drawn
from the jar, and the student will receive a prize. Remember, the more books you
read, the more coupons you will place in the jar, and the better your chances will be
of winning a prize.
5. Look for the THR charts in your reading class, and find your name.
Once you have filed your questions and placed your coupon in the jar,
choose a small sticker from the basket and place it beside your name,
one sticker for each book you read accompanied by the written response.
In this way, you will keep track of your progress and watch yourself get closer and
closer to the magic number “25”. AT THE END OF THE YEAR, STUDENTS
SHOULD HAVE READ 25 BOOKS AND WRITTEN 25 SUMMARIES.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. Question: If I finish a book and begin the Written Response, do I also
have to read for twenty minutes that night?
Answer: No. On the night that you have completed a book and are ready to
work on your “Written Responses” form, simply write “Written Response” on
your chart in the “Pages Read” column.
2. Question: If I read a really long book of several hundred pages, do I
have to complete more than one written response?
Answer: No. Since the reading abilities and interests of students do
vary, some students will be selecting books which are several hundred pages
in length. We realize that such books take longer to read, and only
ONE written response is necessary.
3.Question: If the book I’m reading is very long and takes me a few weeks
to complete, I might fall behind on my stickers. What can I do to catch up?
Answer: You can catch up by taking a break from your long novel a few
times a month and reading a shorter news article, picture book, or nonfiction book that will only take one or two nights to complete. That way you’ll
be doing a variety of reading, and you’ll still be able to read your novels.
4. Question: What do I do with my reading log once I have used up all of
the lines?
Answer: Your reading log should be filled out, initialed by a parent or
babysitter, and placed back in your binder EVERY NIGHT. If you run out of
room, take another log from the pile that will be in the classroom. At the
end of each month, your teacher will collect your log and check it for a
homework grade. She will be looking to make sure you have followed all THR
homework directions. If you have formed the habit of placing your log in
your binder each night, it will be there when you need it.
Good luck reaching your reading goal of TWENTY-FIVE books
and written responses this year! We know you can do it!
Ms. Corrigan and Ms. Kouwenberg
Written Response Letter or Summary for Fiction and
Non-Fiction (Books, Magazine/Newspaper Articles)
Name__________________________________________
Title___________________________________________
Write a letter to your teacher describing your thoughts and feelings about
the book. Please refer to the handout “Guidelines for Response Letters ”
(included in this packet) for ideas. When choosing to write a “summary”
letter, you may use the “Plot Capture Sheet” for fiction and the “Non-Fiction
Summary Graphic Organizer” to help organize your ideas.
(Date) _______________________
Dear________________________,
Written Response
(Comic Strip Books)
Throughout the year, you may read and complete written responses for
FOUR (4) cartoon books only. By comic strip books, we mean a collection or
anthology of comic strips, for example, Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, etc.
Name______________________________________
Title_______________________________________
I. On the lines below, write the names of two comic strip characters and
write at least three descriptive sentences for each. Include a physical
description, their personality, and be sure to explain what it is that makes
them funny.
1.________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
II. Describe one of the comic strips that made you laugh, and
explain why you thought it was funny.
Or
Using the characters you read about, make up your own comic
strip.
Written Response
(Poetry)
You must read at least 3 poems by the same poet and complete the following
questions. It might be a good idea to choose the poetry genre when we have
completed our study of poetic terms during the second quarter.
Name_____________________________________
Poet______________________________________
Titles of Poems _____________________________________________
I. Choose your favorite poem from the five you read and answer the
following questions:
1. Write the title of the poem? ___________________________
2. What is the mood and tone of the poem?
3. What is the message of the poem?
4. What are some poetic terms that the poet uses in this poem?
5. Try writing your own poem using the style or subject of the poet you
chose. Write one or two stanzas.
Guidelines for Response Letters
(Response Letters should be no less than ten sentences.)
Ideas for Responding to Fiction
1. Write about some personal connections you made while you read. How
did your connections help you understand the story?
2. Explain some of your feelings as you read the book….excitement, humor,
anger, sadness, fear, surprise (be sure to use lots of examples).
3. Tell me about your favorite or least favorite character or event. What did
you like or dislike about him/her/it and why?
4. Compare characters’ personalities and actions in the story, or compare a
character with yourself or someone you know.
5. Compare your book to another story.
6. Describe an event in the story that was meaningful for you, illustrate it,
and attach it to your letter.
7. Write about what you would change in the story if you could.
8. Write any questions you had about what you read.
9. Write a letter “to the main character” offering advice, or describing your
feelings.
10. Write about the events you think might happen with the characters now
that the story is over.
11. Write about the “theme” of the story (the lesson the story teaches or
author’s purpose/intent)
12. Write a summary of the book (be sure to use the Plot Capture Sheet to
help you with organization)
Ideas for responding to Informational Text
1. Write a summary telling some of the important things you learned from
your reading (Use the Summary Graphic Organizer to help you with
organizing your ideas).
2. What personal connections did you make as you read?
3. Choose one piece of information you found interesting, write about it,
illustrate it on a separate sheet of paper, and attach it to your letter.
4. What fact did you enjoy learning about the most and why?
5. Is this book/article similar to any others you have read? If so, how are
they alike and different? Which did you like better and why?
6. What kind of research do you think the author had to do to write the
book/article?
7. What questions would you want to ask the author if you ever met
him/her?
8. What more do you want to know about the topic? How will you learn
more about it?
9. Would the book/article be different if it had been written 10 years ago?
100 years ago? Explain how.
10. Describe the text features in the book/article and explain how they helped
you to understand what you read.
Name_____________________________
Month______________
Take-Home Reader Log
DATE
GENRE
PB= picture book
RF= realistic fiction
HF= historical fiction
SF= science fiction
M= mystery
TITLE & AUTHOR
GENRES
PAGES READ
F= fantasy
FL= folk literature
(folktales, myths, legends,
tall tales, fairy tales)
P= poetry
PARENT’S
INITIALS
I= informational(nonfiction)
B= biography,
autobiography, memoir
MG= magazine/newspaper
article
GN= graphic novel (comics)
Name_____________________________
Month______________
Take-Home Reader Log (SAMPLE)
DATE
GENRE
8/27
F
8/28
“
8/29
TITLE & AUTHOR
1-15
PARENT’S
INITIALS
KC
“
16-35
KC
“
“
35-99
KC
8/30
“
“
100-135
KC
8/31
“
“
135-175
KC
9/4
”
Worked on Written Response
9/5
“
Finished Written Response
9/6
GN
9/7
“
9/10
M
9/11
“
9/12
Charlotte’s Web by E.B.
White
PAGES READ
Calvin and Hobbes by
1-50
Bill Waterson
Worked on Written Response
KC
Freddy the Detective
By Walter Brooks
3-25
KC
“
26-50
KC
“
“
51-75
KC
9/13
“
“
76-100
KC
9/14
“
Worked on Written Response
9/17
P
Where the Sidewalk Ends
Shel Silverstein
9/18
”
9/19
9/20
PB= picture book
RF= realistic fiction
HF= historical fiction
SF= science fiction
M= mystery
KC
KC
7-17
KC
“
18-43
KC
“
“
45-77
KC
“
Worked on Written Response
GENRES
F= fantasy
FL= folk literature
(folktales, myths, legends,
tall tales, fairy tales)
P= poetry
I= informational(nonfiction)
B= biography,
autobiography, memoir
MG= magazine/newspaper
article
GN= graphic novel (comics)
Plot Capture Sheet Graphic Organizer (Fiction Summary)
Title___________________________________________________________
Characters
Setting
Climax
Rising Action
Falling Action
Exposition
Resolution
Theme
Plot Capture Sheet Graphic Organizer (Sample)
Title: Little Red Riding Hood
Characters
Setting
Little Red Riding Hood
Mother
Big Bad Wolf
Grandma
Huntsman
Red Riding Hood’s Home
Forest
Grandma’s House
Climax
When she arrives at her Grandma’s house, she wonders why
Her grandma looks so different. She notices her big teeth, and
the wolf jumps out of bed and swallows Little Red Riding
Hood.
Rising Action
Falling Action
On her way, Little Red Riding Hood meets a
Wicked Wolf who tricks her into going off the
path to pick flowers while he runs to
Grandma’s house and eats her up. He then
puts on Grandma’s nightcap and climbs in bed
to wait for Little Red Riding Hood.
A huntsman hears all the commotion in
the house and goes inside to investigate.
He sees the wolf and realizes what
Happened.
Exposition
Little Red Riding Hood’s mother asks her to
take a basket of food to her sick grandmother.
She tells her to stay on the path and be careful.
Resolution
The huntsman kills the wolf, and Grandma and
Little Red Riding Hood are saved.
Theme
The Lesson in the story is to obey your parents and never talk to strangers.
Non-Fiction Summary Graphic Organizer
Title__________________________________________________________
*Topic Sentence: (This book is about______________________
I. First fact I learned: ____________________________________
Supporting details for my first fact:
a.
b.
c.
II. Second fact that I learned: ____________________________
Supporting Details for my second fact:
a.
b.
c.
II. Third fact that I learned: ______________________________
Supporting details for my third fact:
a.
b.
c.
*Concluding Sentence: ______________________________________
Use this completed graphic organizer to guide you in
writing a summary about what you have read.