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A Sampling of AMS Book Clubs

2010-2011

“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can’t read them.”

- Mark Twain

Book Club Objectives:

1. Provide opportunities to extend discussion of text meaning and interpretation beyond regular classroom

2. Incorporate high level vocabulary into discussions

1. Develop skills in analyzing text

2. Allow self selection in topics covered in book groups

1. Homogeneous grouping

AMS Grade 6

Book ClubTom Walsh

Grade 6 ELP Teacher

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Gray

Connection with social studies medieval history.

Reading of a historical fiction story taking place in London and England countryside during the 13th century.

Students map Adam’s journey as a minstrel story teller.

Reading Different Poetry Genre

Selecting a poet or genre type to read independently including Walt Whitman, Elizabeth Browning, John Keats, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, medieval lyrics, cowboy poetry and others.

Reading and evaluating different genre of poetry.

Sharing a favorite genre to read orally.

Shakespeare Stories

Some readings include . . .

Twelfth Night

King Lear

The Merchant of Venice

Hamlet

Othello

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Shakespeare Stories by Leon Garfield

Connection with social studies post-medieval history.

Reading of Shakespearean plays written in story format using Elizabethan language.

Students practice reading the language during reader’s theater requiring oral reading of character parts with student narrators.

Comprehension of plots and sub-plots is developed by drawing character maps, writing story elements, illustrating major events or scenes, small group team sharing and large group discussions.

AMS Grade 7

Book Club

• Ms. Dobyns

Dytopian Literature

Exploring humanity & the social & political structures of an ideal world.

Organization & Activities

Self-selected literature & pacing

Adolescent-friendly fiction

Literary elements

Politics, laws, customs & conditions

Socratic questioning

Interaction with like peers

Ongoing engagement goal

8th Grade Book Club

• Mrs. Staniforth/Ms. Krusi

• Mr. Gorman

Great Books, Great Minds

Exploring Leadership through Biographies

Great Books, Great MindsExploring Leadership Through Biographies

Classroom Activities

Selection of biography with personal connection

Writing prompts with rubric

Close reading of a text

Weekly discussion of the leadership characteristics and skills

Speed conversations to develop speaking skills

Socratic questioning

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective

TEENSMr. Gorman

8 Math

Classroom Activities

Frequent discussions about the characteristics of a “highly effective teen”.

Discuss what habits a “highly effective teen”might possess (prior to reading the book).

Group posters: representing each of the seven habits.

Students list what habits they possess that assist them with being a “highly effective teen”.

To conclude: How does your list compare to The 7 Habits of a Highly Effective TEEN?

Group Posters

Comments? Questions?

“ Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. ”

~Richard Steele, Tatler, 1710