I have used various versions of reading logs in my career. My latest version for second grade includes the title, author, date, genre, and their rating of the book (easy, too hard, just right or it was read to them aloud). My goal is for students (second graders) have a place to reflect on their book choices and get to know themselves better as readers. Students are encouraged to use them when they complete a book, both at home and at school. It's one log for both. Daily notation is not required. There are no parent signatures at all or negative consequences for incomplete logs. We discuss the logs during small group and individual conferences. After about 8 weeks go by, we graph our choices by genre to show others our reading interests, look for connections among readers, and see how our book choices are changing. But I have been reading a lot of negative blog posts and articles about how worthless reading logs are and how negatively they can effect reading. I would love to know this forum's thoughts, and would really love to hear what Gail and Joan think of student reading logs! Thanks!
