LM 5

I was excited to see that we would be discussing book clubs this week because that is a topic that is important to me. I am using this topic for my inquiry project and it is something I want to hit the ground running with next year. Most of my concerns lie only in figuring out the logistics of how a book club operates on a daily basis. How do I choose my books? How do I group my kids? How do I monitor learning without stalking them? How do I give them to freedom to disagree with the learning objectives that I set such high values on? How do I keep them engaged and on-task?

I'm hoping as we continue to study and my inquiry project continues to progress, some of my questions will be answered.

Blog 4

I try to use my read-alouds as time to expose students to many content area books. I particularly use this time to expose them to vocabulary and unknown words. Science and social studies are two subjects that I find particularly easy to find read-aloud texts for. I am able to read these books aloud with excitement that can help to peak my students' interests. Then, if I'm able to clear up misunderstandings about words that typically would have frustrated or confused them, then I am one step ahead of the battle when it becomes time to really saturate the material and begin a main focus on it.

My 5th graders really love to be read too and since time is of such an essence in the higher grades, it only makes perfect sense that I would use that precious time to introduce relevant material to them so that they have the best chance of being successful!

Blog 5

I found it amusing to be blogging about book clubs considering I have not had great success in this area. This is actually the area that I am doing a  project in so that I can figure out how to use book clubs in my classroom in a way that is effective and deliberate.
In the past, with my few attempts at having book clubs, I have been unable to keep the conversations between my students from veering off track and becoming chit chat sessions. I don't know if my book choice has been poor or if the children are just bored.
I would love to figure out how to choose books that are perfect for each group and how to keep each of my children engaged. I really want my students to develop a love for reading and to have a desire to share their reading experiences with others. This is why this topic is of such value for me.