Revamping My Reader's Notebook (ISN)

Yesterday I put together my teacher model of my reader's notebook (ISN). Last year was my first time using interactive notebooks. While it was definitely a learning experience I enjoyed the sense of ownership my students felt towards their reader's notebooks. I struggled to find ways to use the reader's notebook each and every day though. My goal for the 2013-2014 school year is to make my reader's notebook into our classroom Bible.

This summer while looking for ideas I found many different blogs, websites, and pins with great ideas for the reader's notebook. Some of the following helped me shape my re-vamped reader's notebook.

• Everybody is A Genius
• Mrs. Hester
• Following My Heart to First

After sifting through the materials available I finally narrowed it down to techniques and strategies that would work for my 7th grade readers.

I struggled most with the overall organization of the notebook. I finally settled on three different sections along with a glossary:

1. My Reading Life
2. Reader's Journal
3. Mini-Lessons

My Reading Life will consist of personal information about the students growth, goals, and books he/ she has read throughout the year. 

Reader's Journal will be a place for students to write about their reading. After reading a book students will choose two prompts to facilitate a reflection on the student's reading. 

Mini-Lessons will be lessons that are facilitated throughout the year. KWL charts, notes, and reading strategy work will be located in this section. 

Each section is divided by tabs (found at Walmart... $3.00 for 48 tabs) as well as a separate table of contents. I found that one table of contents was very difficult for students to locate information. This should allow students to easily peruse through their notebooks. 

Here are a few pictures of the organizational structure of the notebooks. 

The Reading Log makes up a majority of the "My Reading Life" section of the ISN. There is an additional two pages for students to log the books that they read throughout the year.

The Reader's Journal is the second section of my notebook. This section will be full of students writing about what they are reading. Students will write a minimum of one page on two of the twenty-two prompts listed on the explanation page. I look forward to reading what students write!

In the cover of my ISN students will keep track of their reading goals for this year. While we have to use Accelerated Reader (AR) which sets goals for students based upon their reading readiness level, I have my students set a personal goal as well such as "I want to read a biography and an autobiography this quarter" or "I want to read 10 books this quarter."