This unit is divided into two parts. In Part 1, “Launching Independent Reading,” the sessions are designed to help teachers set up the independent reading project that will guide students’ self-selected reading over the year. These lessons focus largely on helping students begin their independent reading work and include instruction related to choosing texts to read, goal setting, and documentation, including reading logs.

Part 2 is designed as a re-introduction to interpretive work. In this part of the study, students will work with two pieces of short fiction: Gish Jen’s “In the American Society” and Ethan Canin’s “Star Food.” In their work with these texts, students will have an opportunity to revisit the practice of solid interpretive work distinguished by clear interpretive statements and supported by compelling explanations anchored in specific moments in the text.