book clubs are here!
the weekly routine is changing
Students will be divided into small groups who will be reading the same book.
They will read the assigned section of the book (known as "chunks") on their own either at home or at school when they have time to read.
They will meet together once a week (usually Monday) to discuss the week's chunk.
They will also meet with the teacher once a week to discuss their best thinking.
they will be reading the book on their own
For the first book, I read every chapter out loud to the class. This was so that I could stop and model "under the ocean" thinking as I read. I could also model how to write a "under the ocean" post-its. We also learned how to do the Post-it Turn In weekly assignment.
However, now it is time to be more independent.
On Mondays, book clubs will be assigned a "chunk" that they will be required to read that week.
This chunk is not specified in the Listening Post because book clubs are usually reading different books.
Basically, books are divided into fourths. Each week they will read a fourth of the book. By the end of 4 weeks, all book clubs will be done with their books.
This will be followed by the fifth week where we will prepare for the Final Thoughts book test.
what to read each week
Students will write the week's reading chunk written in their agenda each week.
They can either read the book at home, or they can read the book at school if they have some open time. This typically happens during what I call "use your time wisely" moments. For example, if s/he finishes the math homework early in class, they can use the extra 15 minutes to read their book club book.
Also, the chunk needs to be read Monday through Thursday. The students will write what chapters they should read each night in their agenda.
As they read, they will still be required to write post-its with "under the ocean" thinking.
the reading log now looks different
Please take a look at the new version of the weekly reading log sheet in your child's reading binder.
You will see that it is divided into Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
For each day, there is a place to write the hashtag topic for 2 post-its.
So by the end of the week, everyone should have written 8 post-its, which should still be stuck into the actual book just like before.
Also, you will see a section called "This week's focus." We will fill this out on Mondays and it will guide the thinking to concentrate on that week while s/he is reading.
Some examples are: focus on feelings, focus on character traits, focus on theme.
There is also a section labeled "chunk." This is where the chapters assigned for the week are written.
There is also a section called "Feedback." This is where I will write comments based on discussions during our book club conference sessions with the teacher. This section will also provide a grade of +, √+, √, √-, or - for the weekly conference.
Finally, there will still be a section for Parent Signatures.
AN EXAMPLE OF THE NEW READING LOG SHEET IS POSTED BELOW.
post-it turn in assignment
Every Friday in class, all Ellerbees will choose their 4 best post-its to turn in. They will use the same form that they have already used and are already familiar with this routine.
There are 2 differences:
1. Under the post-its, they will write what they would like to talk about during their Book Club Meeting. This should be what they consider their deepest thinking. This will be done on Fridays in class.
2. On the back there is a section called "After we met, I am thinking..." This will be filled out on Tuesday mornings in class after they have their book club meetings on Monday.
books clubs meet on Mondays
Book Club meetings typically happen on Monday afternoons. They will meet to discuss the chunk that they read the PREVIOUS week.
I will visit each Book Club as they discuss the chunk and they will receive individual grades based on what they contribute to the group discussion.
writing under the ocean post-its
how are post-its graded?
Please refer to the Thinking While Reading website page. If you scroll down, it explains what Under the Ocean post-its should look like.
It also has sample post-its along with notes from me about why it would be graded as a 1, 2, 3, 3+, or 4.
refer to these tips below
Check the list below that provides some tips. The big idea is that post-its need to be about Under the Ocean ideas. They also need to have enough written down that I can understand your thinking. Just a few words is not enough.
is it important?
Post-its need to be about something important. How can you tell?
Here are some thoughts:
- What if that event disappeared from the book? Would it "crash" the story? If so, it is probably important. If not, it might be interesting but not necessarily important.
- It's something we keep talking about throughout the whole book. That might actually relate to the theme of the book like forgiveness, courage, heroism, facing adversity etc.
- Does it show how a character is changing? Becoming kinder, more brave, or realizing how important honesty is?
is it debatable?
Usually Under the Ocean ideas are all about opinions. And we do not all have the same opinion. So you can actually have deep conversations with someone else about it. But you need to have evidence from the book to support your opinion. You can have different ideas and you can both be right!
If it is Above the Ocean, it is basically a plot thing. So it is true or not true and cannot lead to a discussion. For example, if I ask why did Captain Orlov come to the island, the answer is "to hunt otter." There is no other correct answer so it is impossible to have a meaningful discussion about it.
does it create strong feelings?
When something happens, does it affect the character deeply? Why? For example, When Karana's brother is killed, she is devastated. Her world is now empty and she is plunged into sadness and loneliness. She not only loves him and now has lost him, but her life is changed forever.
Also, something that happens in the story might affect YOUR feelings. You might bring some of your own schema into it. For example, when Tutok leaves the island, Karana is so sad and misses her so much. If you ever had a good friend move away, you have schema to understand that feeling better.
so...make sure to avoid these post-its
Even though good readers do the following things, do not turn in any post-its that focus on:
- predictions
- visualization
- a question (UNLESS you follow it with a thoughtful answer.)
- facts or just the plot
- a summary