Recently another teacher was in the room observing during a book club session. When it concluded we were quietly debriefing in the corner and she remarked on the conversation she’d just witnessed, “That was amazing.”
A nearby student piped up, “That was nothing. You should have been here for the When You Reach Me book clubs. Now those were epic.” I laughed because there is no “quietly debriefing in the corner“ in my room, but also because he was right.
Early in the year, I facilitate book club conversations. I establish expectations, guide conversations, and redirect them when they veer off-topic. I make sure everybody gets a chance to talk, and I ask questions--clarifying and probing. Later in the year I’m able to fade into the background and enjoy the conversations. What I heard this week filled my heart.
They listened to and learned from one another. I listened and learned from them.
“When you have survived something so horrific, it changes your perspective from that point forward about what truly matters.”
“Connor pushed everyone away, not only Aven, but his own Mom. Hating himself changed how he saw everything that happened around him.”
“Soojin appreciates her own culture more now that she has seen what Amina went through. I think seeing that kind of hatred up close, and what her friend went through, changed her.”
One of my goals as a teacher is to bring to the table what I’ve learned during more than twenty years as a book club member to help students learn to have meaningful conversations about books, for the synergy of their dialogue to create new understandings that couldn’t have existed without the conversation.
When I get to witness conversations like these, I know like I’ve succeeded in creating an image for my students for what it means to participate in a literate community.
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow! I would love to talk to you more about this. I teach a seventh grade reading class, and I really want them to have some real conversations about the books they are reading. Thinking we need to have lunch or something!
ReplyDeleteI’d love to get together and compare notes! Maybe one of those times you’re on your way to the Springs...or near The Bookies. I imagine getting to real conversations is a much bigger challenge when you don’t have your students all day every day.
DeleteIt's a testament to your teaching that you can just lean back and let the students lead their discussions. Thanks for the insightful slice, makes me look forward to meeting up with my own book clubs again!
ReplyDeleteAnd honestly, a tribute to the students I’m lucky enough to have. Thanks for reading!
DeleteI have never had tremendous success with book clubs, and I know it's because I don't structure and scaffold adequately. I hope you'll write more about how you get students to this point!
ReplyDelete