Book clubs involve groups of 4-6 students who independently read texts at their instructional level and then discuss what they read. The goals are to practice reading skills, apply comprehension strategies, and share interpretations of the text. The teacher's role is to select appropriate books, establish routines, facilitate discussions, and assess student understanding and participation. Students are responsible for preparing for and actively engaging in discussions, as well as evaluating their own and their group's performance. Effective book clubs utilize various comprehension strategies and allow students to construct meaning from texts collaboratively.

1. Book Clubs Jody Sulser 2009

2. What is a Book Club? Synonyms: Literature Clubs, Lit Clubs, Literature Study, Book Study Group of 4-6 students with proficient decoding systems and structures in place Students purposely and flexibly grouped for specific strategy instruction or reading ability The teacher meets with group to provide support and instruction as needed while monitoring for progress Students independently read text at their instructional level Level 3 – Gradual Release of Responsibility You do – I help

3. Reading Levels The level at which a child can read easily and with pleasure No more than one error in word recognition in 100 words (five finger rule) Comprehension 90% or better Student can read orally in a natural tone without tension STAR/DRA/Lexile *Silent reading will be faster than oral reading at both levels Independent Level Instructional Level The level at which the teacher “stretches” the student in his thinking and reading No more than one word recognition error in 20 words Comprehension 75% or better Student can read orally after silent study without tension With the right materials and purposeful reading, maximum progress is made

4. Purpose of a Book Club Independently read and prepare for discussions Practice reading skills in order to understand new text Apply comprehension strategies to gain meaning from text Share and discuss individual interpretations of text Develop critical thinking and enjoyment of reading Allows students to:

5. Book Club Virtual Tour

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8. Book Club Procedure Establish and explicitly teach new routines you want students to use Make thoughtful book selections—select books that represent topics, genres, and authors at levels accessible to most readers Set up schedule that allows time for allotted reading and quality discussion Teacher’s Role: Before discussion

9. Book Club Procedure Facilitate and redirect discussion as needed Help students understand the need to support their thinking with evidence from the text, background knowledge, or personal experience Coach students carefully in order to extend their thinking and discussion Take anecdotal records to guide further instruction Teacher’s Role: During Discussion

10. Book Club Procedure Teach students to evaluate their participation and success of the discussion Help them to identify characteristics of a quality discussion Help students plan next steps Assign tasks/projects to augment understanding of the text Plan necessary mini-lessons based on anecdotal notes Teacher’s Role: After discussion

11. Book Club Procedure Commit and honor group agreements Read agreed upon sections Complete any task that has been assigned Student’s Role: Before Discussion

12. Book Club Procedure Participate actively and share thinking during group discussions including evidence from text Pose authentic questions and value other’s interpretations Add to one another’s responses (piggy-back) Collaborate by listening to others Share agreement or disagreement Keep discussion focused on the text Student’s Role: During Discussion

13. Book Club Procedure Evaluate participation in discussion Evaluate quality of discussion Plan and carry out next steps Share changes in thinking brought out or clarified from discussion Student’s Role: After discussion

14. Book Club Students share, construct, and revise meaning from text. Who’s doing the work? What comprehension strategies are being utilized? What would the recommended next steps be?

15. Managementand Scheduling

16. Scheduling Book Clubs Assuming a 90 minute language block

17. Rotation Schedule Assuming a 90 minute language block

18. Books, Group Agreements, and Grading

19. What kind of books do I use, and where do I get them? Where? What? Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Essays Other: magazines newspapers, other periodicals District libraries Leveled Reader Libraries at your school Teacher’s Resource Center (Barb Newman) Book Orders Book Stores Your Colleagues

20. Group Agreements Increase commitment and follow-through Students have common expectations Gives solidarity/ownership to the group

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