Reading
Book Clubs
I have a wonderful collection of books for children... close to 3000 at this point. As I find characters, authors, or subjects second graders love to read about I purchase multiple copies (3 to 5) or use the points I earn through Scholastic book orders to purchase and keep them together. Second graders love:
Gail Gibbons books
In our room this is what we do:
In their Literature Log they will build a story map of the story they read and do a book project. The directions for the project and supplies will be given to them. They will share the projects with the class and we will post them on the wall in the hallway. We will meet and discuss the book: important events, favorite parts, what would you change and why, rename the book and why, any question the students come up with about the character or events in the book. Students develop book sense at different times, the more we can talk about the book the easier and quicker they will be able to discuss the elements of the book.
Daily assignments include reading a chapter in class, then doing a story map for the chapter and summary in their Literature Log. The story map includes:
The chapter number and title is ____.
The character(s) is(are) ______.
The setting is _____.
The problem is _____.
The solution is _____.
They also write down anything they may have questions about and vocabulary they are not familiar with in the reading. In addition there will usually be an additional assignment. For instance they may have to write or respond in some way to these: (notice that these ask for their opinions and why... )
tell about a similar incident that has happened to them
or what would you have done differently
what connection have you made to the story
how does the title fit the book or chapter
rename the chapter and tell why your title is better
do you like the main character (why or why not)
how does the story make you feel
would you read another book by the same author and tell why
At the beginning I will meet with books groups to make sure they are on task and responding correctly. Each day they will put the response into their Literature Notebook for me to take up at the end of the book as a collection and one grade. During the reading time I will ask for some assignments to be turned in for a grade.
