The book club model compares quite similarly to what I am learning about from literacy instruction in my classroom. We are still getting into reading and writing as a daily task, and more is being integrated with each passing day. So far we have concentrated on read-aloud. We started a chapter book and my mentor teacher reads from it everyday. We have a discussion about what we are reading and students predict certain situations or explanations for situations they have read about. So far we have being using writing as a reflective part of literacy. Students draw upon experiences they have had or try and connect to the character in some way. This is a way students write through the text. Making reader-text connections, and tracking what has been learned. My students are using a graphic organizer to organize their thoughts about what is going on in the book. This is an area where students record problems and solutions and other events they are reading about in the book. I haven’t seen a concrete part of writing into the unit or text yet. We have practiced writing out of the text, giving students time to write in their reading reflections notebook. Here they have a chance to reflect on what they are reading and reflect on how that is affecting them or connecting to them. I think it is so important to give students ample time to do their reflections. I want my students to know that I care about what they are thinking and feeling after reading a text or book. I want them to feel like they can express the connections they are feeling or confusions that are facing throughout the reading.
We don’t devote a block of time everyday towards literacy so far. It seems like math and science/social studies have taken precedence thus far. But coming into the 4th week of school, we are finally devoting more and more time to literacy. But I do see literacy skills practiced throughout the entire day. From the daily warm-ups to sharing with the class an article they found online, students are practicing their writing, reading, hearing and speaking skills. As we devote more time to the literacy block I think I will see more and more connections to other curricular areas. I am excited to continue and to implement new book club ideas into my classroom. Seeing it all laid out and given suggestions on how to implement is very exciting!
Shannon-
ReplyDeleteWe have a read aloud everyday in my classroom as well and the students love it! They beg the teacher to read more or if we only have time for one chapter they all moan. The book we are reading is Among the Hidden and it is a great series. The students have gotten hooked on the author. If you are ever looking for a book to recommend, this would be at the top of my list for students. The author uses great details and is a page turner!
During read a-louds, I do a mini-lesson of cursive before my CT begins reading. The students then work on their cursive during the read aloud. This works out great because it is a relaxing activity for the students that keeps them from fooling around while she is reading. I love this idea of giving them work during the read a loud!
It is interesting, because in my classroom literacy seems to take up most of the day. The only do science and social studies three times a day. At my school, literacy is broke up into reading and writing workshop, hand writing and making meaning. I hope you start to see more literacy soon!
Megan