Resist the urge to 'basalize' book studies,but look for frameworks that are somewhat generic--supporting READING, rather than reading this book. Text coding, a means of collection and discussing unfamiliar words, character development, summary, etc. Kids can write their own questions as they read. I think that we need to emulate adult book clubs and I can't recall the last time I took worksheets with my novel. Instead, I journal, I use sticky notes and I prepare for discussion by working to remember what strikes me or confuses me.
By the way, Harvey Daniels does not endorse the use of role sheets in literature circles (see his second edition) and in very small, weekend conference/retreat, he spoke to me about how MOT changed his thinking here. Lori On 1/12/09 4:25 AM, "Jennifer Olimpieri" <ojen...@sbcglobal.net> wrote: > Thank you a for all of your responses. However, I feel that maybe I wasn't > specific enough. These groups will be teacher directed and I am not looking > for jobs per se. I wanted to find an online resource that would maybe focus on > the theme of the story providing me with vocabulary and comprehension > questions for each group. Im not sure if this even exists but if anyone has > one, I would greatly appreciate it! > > --- On Sun, 1/11/09, Jarvis, Sandi <jarv...@wautoma.k12.wi.us> wrote: > > From: Jarvis, Sandi <jarv...@wautoma.k12.wi.us> > Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] book study > To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > Date: Sunday, January 11, 2009, 11:41 PM > > Kathy, > I think you're right on. Kids need to feel like book clubs are for social > interaction as well. They are together to talk about books! As kids reach > adolescence it's so important to honor the 3 things they really need while > pursuing literature - time, choice, and the social aspect. You have built a > literacy-rich environment in your classroom and you've modeled your > expectations. If that hasn't occurred it most certainly might be necessary > to share the role sheets, etc., but that's why many are calling these > gatherings book clubs or literature conversations rather than circles. Just > sharing my thoughts. > > Sandi Jarvis > Co-Director of Instruction > Wautoma Area School District > PO Box 870 > Wautoma, WI 54982 > 920-787-4577 ext.3011 > jarv...@wautoma.k12.wi.us > > Good children's literature appeals not only to the child in the adult, but > to the adult in the child." > - Anonymous >>>> <rkh...@bellsouth.net> 01/11/09 9:47 PM >>> > Jennifer wrote: > We are going to begin book clubs and I was wondering if anyone has a good > website to gather vocab, comprehension questions, etc. for specific books. For > example, one of the groups will be reading 'A Boy at War, A novel of Pearl > Harbor". > > Response: > I may be opening up a can of worms here, but I struggle with the requirement > of > book club "jobs" each year as I invite students to form their own > book study groups. My goal is for students to want to group themselves based > on > a desire to read a text with a small group of students whom share an interest > in > a topic, genre, author, etc. When adults form book clubs, they rarely assign > jobs of vocabulary builder, question generator, visualizer, etc. Instead, > they > aim for deep conversation about the text, author, and connections they > experience as they navigate through a book. I want the same for my students. > So how do I, as a teacher, hold my students accountable and collect data to > assess my students' thinking? > > I start by using the first several months of the year modeling what great > literary conversation sounds like and feels like - and what it doesn't. We > practice a lot - and film ourselves having meaningful conversations. We start > in large group, then practice with partners, and then move to small groups. > By > this time students are begging to start their own book clubs...so we do. > > The first book club grouping requires a form (graphic organizer) for the first > few weeks that combines several thinking strategy responses. After that a > simple journal entry and self evaluation is due on Friday's. I eavesdrop > quite a bit, but I try to stay out of the conversation if at all possible. > Sometimes I will video group meetings so students can watch how their > discussions are going and so I can view them at a later time. When > discussions > go well, students will often ask to have the video shown to the entire class. > > I guess you have to determine what the purpose of book clubs are for your > classroom. I may be totally off track, but I'm trying to keep reading as > authentic as possible and yet still maintain some form of assessment and > accountability. I'd love to hear how other teachers are organizing book > clubs in their classrooms! > > Kathy > > -------------- Original message from Jennifer Olimpieri > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > -- Lori Jackson District Literacy Coach & Mentor Todd County School District Box 87 Mission SD 57555 http:www.tcsdk12.org ph. 605.856.2211 Literacies for All Summer Institute July 17-20. 2008 Tucson, Arizona _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
