Comments on: Introduction to Book Clubs

By: Haley

Haley — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 18:28:36 +0000

Thank you so much for this post series, so many wonderful ideas. I am trying to come up with a way to implement something similar in 1st grade in a class with a number of high readers who are comfortable with chapter books but not independent comprehension wise… any tips?

By: Sherri

Sherri — Thu, 12 May 2016 16:52:38 +0000

Hi love this! Wanted to let you know there is a typo on the last line of second paragraph :)

By: Megan Fettig

Megan Fettig — Thu, 28 Apr 2016 14:18:32 +0000

Thank you for sharing your approach to book clubs in the classroom. Your information is so valuable! I had a couple of questions that could possibly be answered in upcoming blogs, but I thought I would ask. Are your students meeting with book club groups each day? If not, are they reading other books during workshop time (this would mean they are actively reading 2 books at once, just not the same book each day). I would love to hear more about how you meet with groups during reading workshop. Do you interrupt their reading to work with them in small group on skills non related to book club or do you discuss book club reading with them? Once challenge I am battling is getting to each group and each member being at a different spot in their reading when I meet with my 2nd and 3rd groups.
I struggle not discussing their daily reading with them each day. I wondered how you make this happen with each club.
Sorry for such a long comment. I love book clubs and want to be sure I can utilize them as effective and worthwhile as possible!
Thanks :)

By: Melissa Kozerski

Melissa Kozerski — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 01:24:39 +0000

In reply to Anna. Hello Anna! Thanks so much for your kind words. I am so happy these posts are helpful for you. I use a reading workshop approach to teach reading. I begin my reading block with a mini-lesson, which is whole group. Then, I ask the students to meet with their book club group to discuss one of my prompts or items they created on their own agenda. After meeting with their group, they go to independent reading at their seats. During this time, they read the assigned portion of the text and write their reflections. I conference with students/meet with groups during this time. I hope this helps!!!! :) Good luck! :)

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 01:13:35 +0000

Melissa, this is a great resource! I am brand new to third grade and appreciate this thorough, step by step guidance! One question as I try to wrap my head around this- do you give the students class time to do their independent reading, or is that done at home/ if they get done with something early? I know you will probably cover all of this in the coming weeks, I was just wondering about how that would look in the structure of the school day. I truly cannot wait for more!

By: Ashley

Ashley — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 02:28:33 +0000

In reply to Melissa Kozerski. I look forward to your posts!! :)

By: Melissa Kozerski

Melissa Kozerski — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 22:56:17 +0000

In reply to ashley.

Hello Ashley!
Thanks so much for your questions! I appreciate you taking the time to write to me. Those are great questions that I will make sure to answer in my future posts about book clubs. Short answers- YES! They all read the same text. The accountability for finishing reading/work is one of my next posts. As for the frequency of meetings- about two to three times (no more, no less!) per week. I do have a picture of my bulletin board I will share on my Chapter 5 post.
Thanks again, Ashley!
Melissa :)

By: Melissa Kozerski

Melissa Kozerski — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 22:53:16 +0000

In reply to Deb Hanson.

Hi Deb,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I absolutely love book clubs and I am so happy that other teachers have the same passion for them! :)
Thanks again,
Melissa :)

By: ashley

ashley — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 20:18:17 +0000

This is great! Right now I am doing a version of the literacy circles. I love this idea much better! Just to be sure in book clubs they are reading the same book correct? I also have a few questions for you. Do you assign homework if they do not finished their assigned reading? What if they did not do what they were supposed to do for their next group meeting? How often do you have group meetings? I would love to see a closer picture of your bulletin board where they keep their assignments!

By: Deb Hanson

Deb Hanson — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 14:30:48 +0000

What a great blog post! I had a very similar experience with literature circles- I found using role sheets really limited my students’ discussions, and I moved away from the traditional role sheet. I can’t wait to read the rest of your series!