Literature Circle Classroom Book Clubs were a favorite with my students.
When I first began using Literature Circles, I found the model of student-assigned roles became challenging to manage; unexpected student absences and assignments not completed had impact on the planned weekly small-group discussions.
I combined parts of the format of Literature Circles with a Book Club approach that felt more relaxed, had individual student accountability built in, and unexpected student absence or assignments that may not have been completed would not be an issue.
I continued to revise and update my Literature Circle Classroom Book Clubs materials, always grateful to my students who continued to remind me that I am a learner as well as a teacher.
Taking a small group, discussion-based approach to a novel each student chose was motivating and empowering!
Students led their small-group discussion. Students chose the novel they wanted to read from those available and met once each week, over 4 weeks, to have collaborative conversation and discussion.
Small groups could have as few as 2 students, or as many as 6 students.
All reading was done independently in school, helping my students continue to build stamina as independent readers.
Time was given each day for students to read the novel of their choice.
Book clubs motivate us to read. They deepen our understanding of not only the book but how others read and interpret the same text. Rigor is in the work the students do to understand it.
Can't wait until the weather warms... Novels and beach towels... outside...
Spelling lists for each novel were generated by students.
Words that were unfamiliar, interesting, unusual, or important to the reading helped to create each one.