Book Clubs in Fourth Grade

Walk into the various spaces where fourth grade book clubs meet and you will hear animated discussion. Fourth grade students have been reading books that feature well-developed characters. The first step is to form the book clubs based on student choice. Ann, the language arts specialist, gives a book talk about the various selections. Students then preview each book by reading the first few pages. They think about whether they can decode the book, envision the story as they read, and also most importantly, does the book interest them? The groups are then formed by the teachers based on the students' choices. 

The two fourth grade teachers, Karolye and Dylan, Ann and Andrea, Lower School director facilitate the book clubs. At their first session students created a contract that helped to insure that all members of their book clubs would listen to each other, came prepared to their book club meeting and that each student contributed to the discussion. Students read and write at home using strategies to delve deeply into character, plot, and theme. This work forms the basis for the students leading the book club discussion. The One and Only Ivan, Frindle, Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear, Museum Mysteries The Case of the Portrait Vandal, Any Small Goodness and Because of Winn Dixie.  The students ability to dive deeply into their book, think critically and engage in rich discussions is fostered by participating in book clubs.