From: Betty Tisel <tiselfar_at_visi.com>
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:26:13 -0500

In Lake Country School's middle school program, they have what I think is a great format for what they call Book Club, which they run twice a year. I was able to be an adult "chaperone" for these groups three different times.

1. Students choose from among several choices of titles. Each book group consists of 5 - 10 students.

2. For each meeting they read several chapters and then write a few discussion questions, which they are required to bring to the meeting. The teacher makes it clear what kind of questions, and how many questions, they should write, usually 3 each of the following: Factual (things we want to make sure everyone knows and understands)

Interpretive (connections within the text, characters, plot, motives, etc)

Evaluative (evaluating the writing)

Each meeting, a different student facilitates the discussion. An adult is present to just help keep things on track if necessary.

3. For the final meeting all the groups meet and do a really short presentation (spoken, video, etc) about their book so that the entire class can hear a little bit about each book.

The students read at very different speeds. Some kids read the whole book by the first meeting. Some kids never finish the book. The kids who have read the whole books have to be careful about Spoilers....

The Great Gatsby was an awful choice for these 7th and 8th graders. Tangerine and Whale Talk were wonderful choices.

Betty Tisel Minneapolis MN Reader, parent, school volunteer
Received on Wed 21 Oct 2009 01:26:13 PM CDT