Cassingham Elementary GATEMs. Chris Amspaugh, Gifted Intervention Specialist |
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Book Clubs/Literature Circles:
For many of our literature studies in GATE Language Arts classes, we develop rotating book clubs within each class. Following the framework of literature circles, our book clubs allow groups of 4-7 students to explore quality literature in a cooperative learning setting. Book clubs help guide students to a deeper understanding of what they read through enjoyable and motivating experiences that allow children to work together for a common cause while fostering student responsibility and providing opportunities for application of reading and writing skills.
For our book clubs to be successful, several things must happen. An important concept is that EVERYONE in the group must work together. Each time we meet, students will have assigned roles that they are responsible for preparing and sharing with their peers. Roles are reassigned for each book club meeting to allow students the opportunity to learn and respond in a variety of ways. Some of the roles students fulfill are Moderator, Assessor, Summary Secretary, Astute Artist, Crafty Connector, and Spotlight Sleuth.
It is important that all members of each group agree to read the book at the same pace so everyone can keep up and no one will ruin the fun of reading for other students by giving away what happens next. For some students, there may be some frustration that they cannot finish the books more quickly. However, taking time to think deeply about literature and become more actively involved with their reading allows students to have much more valuable literary experience than when they race to the finish.
I strongly encourage students to continue their independent reading in addition to their book club reading. Experiencing two books at the same time can help students develop important thinking skills, and also provides greater opportunity to make connections. For many of our book club titles, there are related books in the classroom that would make great independent reading books to complement our book club experiences.