I actually run 2 book clubs. I have a 4th grade and a 5th grade book club. The 5th grade book club was with me last year in 4th grade book club so they continue with me for this year (they're with me for 2 years). So you may ask, how can I start a book club at my school? Here's what I did:
-I choose 8-10 4th grade students based on reading scores from state end of grade tests (data is from the previous year). Students slightly below (with the potential to be on grade level), at or above grade level are selected. Teachers also give me recommendations. The group is very diverse, with students from various cultures and from both genders. When you ask for teacher recommendations, it's up to you what kind of student behavior concerns you're willing to deal with. It's been a case by case situation for me. Some students that have had some behavior concerns have done very well in book club and have been very engaged in the books and discussions.
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| 4th grade book club invitation. |
-I discuss with the librarian books that she would suggest to read with the students (I also keep a running list of great books myself). This year I ordered 4 (new) group sets of books (2 book sets for each of my groups) through a grant from my school's PTA. I can reuse previous book reads for another group who hasn't read the book before. Both the librarian and my school are great by ordering book club books for us. We actually have established a nice selection of book club books to choose from (about 20 different book titles in sets of 12).
-I select the 1st book selection for the year, then all other books are voted on by the group. As we near the end of a book, I select 2 books (from the book club library) for the students to vote on for our next read. They feel as though they have ownership of the book selection and have fewer complaints when the feel that they "choose" the book (they don't realize that I actually chose the 2 book choices to vote on, but I won't say anything to them about that).
-We meet once a week during lunch in the library (lunch time works out perfect, because it does not interrupt any class schedules). I meet with 4th grade on Wednesday's and 5th grade on Thursday's. We read aloud and discuss the book during this time.
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| Meeting during lunch eliminates most scheduling conflicts |
-I made my own book marks with a reminder of which day & time we meet for book club. I laminated the book marks and have the students write down what chapters they are to read independently during the week with a dry erase maker (can be wiped off and updated weekly). Click here to download your own printable bookmarks (from Pinterest, not the ones below). Most remember though as they are very excited about book club and I often have to remind the students not to read ahead of the assigned chapters.
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| Reminder bookmarks |
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| Students write what page we are to read to by the next week w/ a dry erase marker on their bookmark. |
Here's a few of the books that we've read in the past that I highly recommend and books that I hope to read with the group this year (new books this year were based on student requests, book reviews that I read & recommendations from the school librarian):
4th grade
-How to Steal a Dog (We're currently reading this now, deals with being homeless, poverty)
-11 Birthdays (deals with friendship)
-Bud, Not Buddy (new this year, haven't read yet: deals with family, having an absent father)
-Rules (new this year, haven't read yet: deals with a sibling that has Autism)
5th grade
-Long Walk to Water (deals with growing up as a refugee, broken family)
-So B. It (deals with a disabled parent)
-Shiloh (animal abuse, bullying)
-Blubber (deals with bullying)
-A Week In The Woods (new this year, haven't read yet: deals with getting to know people, assumptions, friendship)
-When You Reach Me (new this year, we're currently reading this in 5th grade book club: deals with friendship, bullying)
We usually read 4-5 books during the year (depending on the length of the book). I usually start book club in September and we finish by the end of April (before the craziness of the end of the year rolls around). I really enjoy my book club groups and can tell that the students do too. My 5th grade book club was so popular I had several students ask could they join. I have a hard time saying no to children that want to read so our group of 9 has grown into a group of 13. In cases where I don't have 13 copies of a particular book we're going to split the group into groups of 6-7 and read a different book with myself and the counselor intern each taking a group.
Do you have a counselor led book club? Please contact me if have other books to recommend for a 4th or 5th grade book club?
Thank you so much, Andrea! I've been looking for some good books for a 4th grade reading group and your list is exactly what I needed! I've used Mockingbird with 5th graders. It's told from the perspective of a girl with Asperger's and is a nice complement to Rules.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Rebecca, thanks so much for the book suggestion. I'm always on the look out for young adult books for book club and can add Mockingbird to my (ever growing) list.
DeleteAndrea -
ReplyDeleteCan you talk a little bit about how your book club sessions are set up? Do you purely discuss the readings? Do you do any extra extension activities? I must say I'm intrigued.
Hi SFuller, this is how a normal book club session goes....we meet in the library, we begin by briefly discussing about what we read independently during the week from the book. I start reading aloud and students can also volunteer to read aloud to the group. Students are not required to read aloud it is by choice. Some weeks the group wants to only read, then others they want to read & discuss (depends on what's going on in the book). We end with choosing how far we'll read independently for the rest of the week (usually 15-20 pages). I haven't done any extra extension activities (yet), we just discuss the book.
DeleteThe students are consumed with academics all day and book club is meant to be a fun and relaxing way to read, talk & share.
I'm starting a club this year. We are beginning with "On my Honor". It's about honesty, peer pressure, and making decisions. I had planned for us to read aloud as a group. Do you have the kids read on their own or does the group read together? Are you collecting any kind of data?
ReplyDeleteAmy
Hi Amy, thanks for the book suggestion. I'll have to check it out. We read both independently and together during our weekly meetings. We decide how many pages or chapters we'll read on our own during the week (usually 15-20 pages, but sometimes they'll ask to read more). During our book club meetings, I usually read aloud first then students will volunteer to read aloud to the group. I was a little worried about if the students would actually read the book independently but they are doing great reading on their own. In most cases the reading for book club counts for their class reading log. The problem with independent reading has been them reading ahead for the week more than not reading. As far as data, I check the reading score on the report card for each quarter to see if there is any changes. Good luck with your book club!
DeleteIf you have all girls, I recommend going to A Mighty Girl website. It's the largest collection of books, movies and anything girl- all promoting positive role models an d raising self esteem.
ReplyDeleteI just read "Because of Mr. Terupt" this weekend and it was FABULOUS!! A great book for a 5th grade book club...which I plan to do this year!! Your blog is great inspiration! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!! I have been searching for something like this to do with my upper grade kids. As a former teacher and now school counselor, I miss the teaching component... I have been thinking/wanting to start a book club for parents as well as for students. This is the information I needed to start one up!! Thank you again!! You filled my bucket!!
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I'm a new school counselor and love the idea of book club. I have a few questions for you. Do you keep the same students all year long? Or change them with each book?
ReplyDeleteI usually keep the same students all year and we read different books. You could certainly use the same book to read with multiple groups also. Good luck on your book club!
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