I wanted to take this week to focus on Book Clubs and how exactly they work. First of all What is a Book Club? A Book Club or Literature Circle, is small group of students reading the SAME book. It can be a book they they have chosen themselves, chosen from a pre-picked list by the teacher, or assigned to them.
How Does It Work?!
Good question! A working Book Club is going to look different at each grade level because of the expectations in independence, questions, and leadership. Basically your Book Club is a time for REFLECTION and COLLABORATION of ideas for students.
Step 1: Planning
I usually give my students a list of books (and this will depend on what you have available to you in multiple copies in your building or library). I have them put their top choices either on Sticky Notes OR I love to use a Google Form for their picks. I be sure to note the reading level (just generically easy, hard, or just right in terms of the grouping of books). I also DON'T give students a heads up about the books and have them choose immediately so they aren't able to collaborate with their friend because it should be about interest and reading level NOT who is going to be in the group.
Step 2: Build Groups/Set a Schedule
Groups are built on what they are reading. So get the groups together and then explain the RULES of Book Club. All the rules will be different, but if you check out my Book Clubs pack above it will have a RULES book for students for you to get started. Also set a schedule of how many pages/chapters students will read each day and what they need to prep for the next "meeting" of their group.
Step 3: Gather Information/Writing Responses
Need ideas?! Here are some books that you may want to check out for Book Clubs!
|
Book
|
Author
|
Reading Level
|
|
Flora and Ulysses
Because of Winn Dixie
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
|
Kate DiCamillo
|
3rd/4th Grade
|
|
The BFG
|
Roald Dahl
|
3rd/4th Grade
|
|
The Chocolate Touch
|
Patrick Skene Catling
|
3rd Grade
|
|
Any Magic Treehouse Book
|
Mary Pope Osborne
|
2nd/3rd Grade
|
|
The Little Prince
|
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
|
3rd Grade
|
|
Cam Jansen Series
|
David Adler
|
2nd/3rd Grade
|
|
Time Warp Trio Books
|
Jon Scieszka
|
3rd Grade
|
|
It's Raining Pigs and Poodles (poetry)
|
Jack Prelutsky
|
2nd/3rd Grade
|
|
The Year of Billy Miller
|
Kevin Henkes
|
2nd/3rd Grade
|
|
Pax
Clementine Series
|
Sara Pennypacker
|
2nd/3rd Grade
|
|
The Penderwicks
|
Jeanne Birdsall
|
4th/5th grade
|
|
Frindle
Lunch Money
|
Andrew Clements
|
2nd/3rd Grade
|
|
The One and Only Ivan
|
Katherine Applegate
|
4th/5th/6th Grade
|
|
Where the Red Fern Grows
|
Wilson Rawls
|
5th/6th Grade
|
|
Hatchet
|
Gary Paulson
|
4th/5th Grade
|
|
The Giver
|
Lois Lowry
|
5th/6th Grade
|
|
11 Birthdays
|
Wendy Mass
|
5th Grade
|
|
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
|
C.S. Lewis
|
4th Grade
|
|
Wonder
|
RJ Palacio
|
5th/6th Grade
|
|
Out of My Mind
|
Sharon Draper
|
5th/6th Grade
|
|
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library
|
Chris Grabenstein
|
5th/6th Grade
|
|
When you Reach Me
|
Rebecca Stead
|
4th/5th Grade
|
|
Hoot
|
Carl Hiassen
|
|
|
Bridge to Terabithia
|
Katherine Paterson
|
4th/5th grade
|
|
Esperanza Rising
|
Pam Munoz Ryan
|
5th/6th grade
|
|
Holes
|
Louis Sachar
|
5th/6th grade
|
I like to get Book Club books from Scholastic as they often have books for $2 or less per book. It's a great way to get a set of books without breaking the bank. You could also create a Wish List through Scholastic for parents.
Have a great idea for Book Clubs?! I would love to hear what works for you or any amazing titles your kids are enjoying!
