Book Clubs

This past week the K-1's started their "book clubs."  We gathered together to talk as a group about what makes a good book club and what members of a book club do.  We all determined that book clubs are about coming together with a friend to celebrate and talk about reading.  Sharing ideas, thoughts, and opinions are the primary purpose of our little clubs in K-1, all while practicing our reading strategies and comprehension skills.  The goal was not going to be to read the most challenging book in our classroom library, but to choose that "just right book,"  one that your friend could read as well, one that you could retell smoothly and logically, and one you could have a worthwhile discussion about afterwards.

We brainstormed a list of potential book ideas - all titles that would appeal to a variety of readers.  For the First Graders that list included anything in the Frog and Toad series, Mr. Putter and Tabby, and of course, the beloved Magic Treehouse series.  Kindergartners are also participating - reading shorter books appropriate for their age and interests - Elephant and Piggy, as well as duplicates of classroom favorites.

Duplicates of favorite books

Children have time to read during reading workshop time, and after completing a few chapters, we gather together for a discussion.  Favorite parts, characters, plot, and storyline are all items for discussion.  As I listened to two Kindergartners chat about a book they had just finished, I overheard, "Were there any tricky parts for you?"  Then the friend answered, "Yes, I had a tough time with the word compost, but I sounded it out."  Coming together for discussions like this is an invaluable experience - to share ideas, struggles, and opinions is something these children will need to do throughout their school career and their lives.  To start this at such a young age is preparing them for the road ahead.

These book clubs are more than simply reading the book.  They're about talking, thinking, and listening to a friend.  The challenging part for many children is actually listening to one another.  Reading comprehension is all about listening at length to another person's words and ideas and stories, even if this means holding back our own ideas and words for a time. Comprehension often involves having one's own mind changed because of what another person says.  It's about coming to think differently because of what we've heard. Teaching comprehension has everything to do with teaching listening.

Sharing favorite books with a friend also teaches children that we are all unique as readers. While one club may love the Magic Treehouse Carnival at Candelight, another group may prefer Mr Putter and Tabby Feed the Fish, or Elephant and Piggy Go For a Ride.  These groups are about sharing thoughts and ideas, and coming together to think, puzzle over, and open up a story.  Our children will grow up expecting that talking about books will be fun, that friends will hang on their words when they respond to texts, and that those words will spark grand conversations.  We are teaching children that reading is a magnificent way to be together with friends and with authors who become distant friends.  They're on their way to a life in which it is possible to sit down with others to talk about ideas, to change minds, to hold fast to opinions, to listen, and to learn.