Accountable Book Clubs: Focused Discussions

Overview

Featured Resources

From Theory to Practice

 

OVERVIEW

Classroom book clubs traditionally involve student-led discussions about books, but often teachers feel that these clubs need more direction and accountability. In this lesson, students in grades 7 and 8 form literature circle groups and read either Esperanza Rising or Becoming Naomi Leon by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Students read sections of their book and use a Critical Thinking Map to then guide group discussions about prominent social issues. Students complete collaborative homework using a class wiki. Groups join for a culminating discussion evaluated by their classmates.

back to top

 

FEATURED RESOURCES

Critical Thinking Map: This handout helps students summarize their group’s thoughts on a particular social issues that emerged in the reading of the book.

back to top

 

FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Grisham, D.L., & Wolsey, T.D. (2006). Recentering the middle school classroom as a vibrant learning community: Students, literacy, and technology intersect. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 49(8), 648-660.

• By participating in online discussions, students examine literature through more critical lenses, while engaging in new learning technologies.
  
  
• The teacher's role is transformed by technology, which enables the scaffolding of instruction through participation in online discussions.
  
  
• Literature is the starting place for students' exploration of social issues.
  
  
• The content of the curriculum can be restructured to move students toward greater understanding and empathy for others.

 

Busching, B., & Slesinger, B.A. (2002). "It's Our World Too": Socially Responsive Learners in Middle School Language Arts. Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.

back to top