What happens when students gather around a common text of their choosing to talk, think, make connections, and reflect? Magic! According to the Teachers College at Columbia University, when students participate in book clubs, their autonomy and self efficacy increases. Why? Because book clubs:
-
Promote a love for literature and a positive attitude towards reading;
-
Reflect a student-centered model of literacy (employing the Gradual Release of Responsibility);
-
Encourage extensive and intensive reading;
-
Invite natural discussions that lead to student inquiry and critical thinking;
-
Support diverse responses to text;
-
Foster interaction, cooperation and collaboration;
-
Provide choice and encourage responsibility;
-
Expose students to literature from multiple perspectives;
-
Nurture reflection and self-evaluation
(2021, Center for Professional Education of Teachers; Columbia University)
Whether you are looking to start book clubs, or if you’ve been using book clubs for years,we hope you will join us for a day of collaboration and learning. Our workshop outcomes include:
-
Establishing norms and expectations for book clubs
-
Exploring strategies for discourse to support student-led discussions
-
Connecting mini-lessons and mentor texts into book club routines
-
Utilizing formative assessment to progress monitor and celebrate student growth
Participants will have time built into the workshop for planning in order to incorporate the strategies learned into lesson plans.
