Method of Assessment
To evaluate student progress, the students' book reviews were assessed by the
reading-writing connections that were found in these book reviews.
The students' book reviews needed to include the essential information
for understanding the nature of the book, the complete bibliographical
information, a brief summary with an evaluation of the book's primary literary
strengths, and a recommendation for a particular audience. The interventions continued until there was enough evidence
to suggest effectiveness or lack of effectiveness.
The students read and examined
a variety of professional book reviews and generated a book
review checklist. The
percentage of reading-writing connections was determined by evaluating the
reading-writing connections in the students' book reviews using the book
review checklist. The percentages were calculated and graphed for each
students' book review samples. In
addition, all students' book reviews were analyzed using a 4-point
rubric scale rating the components of a book review.
Also, at the end of the study,
students wrote reflections to their experience of writing book
reviews.