Andrew Clements Book Club: Encouraging Enthusiastic Readers
Andrew Clements writes funny, kid-friendly books that will spark fun discussions. We'll explore one Andrew Clements book per week, starting with Frindle. See materials list for the rest of the books.
MarySue Gulick
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(117)
What's included
8 live meetings
4 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursMastery Evaluation
2-4 hours per week. Learners will read the book before class, and informal assessment will be on the sicky notes and discussion.Grading
Informal oral assessment based on discussion of the book.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 5
Intermediate Level
The main purpose of this class is to enjoy a book while keeping track of our thinking, in preparation for having a class dialogue about the book. I chose Andrew Clements books because the author doesn't "talk down" to kids, and the topics are engaging. We will cover keeping track of our thinking (comprehension), as well as character development and sharing with a group. Each class will start with a quick social discussion about our week, and then we'll dive into our discussion about the week's book. After the discussion, I will model the next week's focus. My teaching style will be as a facilitator. I will help guide the discussion, but if the learners are staying on task, I will be thrilled to let them run with the discussion. In the beginning, I will have some slides ready to aid in the discussion, especially if learners are reluctant to speak. I will continue this until learners are comfortable with the format. I envision this class as a lively, engaged discussion about the books.
Learning Goals
Learners will read for comprehension and enjoyment of books. They will use sticky notes for short reminders about what they would like to discuss with the group about the book.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created Curriculum8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Keeping track of my thinking with Frindle
Set expectations for the class, including ways to discuss if a learner is not comfortable with speaking out. (Chat, or Padlet). How to use sticky notes in a book to keep track of thinking. This will help the learner be ready for next week's book discussion. 35 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Frindle discussion
We will use prepared sticky notes to contribute to the discussion about Frindle. The learner will have questions and comments ready about the book. The teacher will model how to cue other members on how to mark their sticky note so others can find the spot in the book they are talking about. Assign book for next week. 35 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
No Talking book discussion
Discuss No Talking with sticky note protocol. For next time: Going deeper with our sticky notes: Learner will: look for a character they like, and tell why. They will also have a question about the book ready for the other learners, including the chapter that sparked the question so others can look it up. Teacher will guide this with today's discussion, in preparation for next week. Reflection: Now that we've read two books, which was your favorite? Why? 35 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
The Report Card book discussion
Going deeper with our sticky notes: Question and character from last week. New for next week: the learner will notice how a character is like them, and/or how the character is not like them. Be ready with "I'm like that" on the sticky note, or "I'm not like that. " (These can change as the book is read, and there can be more than one of each. Be ready to explain why. 35 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Pre-Requisites
Learners should be proficient readers, comfortable with 5th grade level books, since we will read a book each week.
Supply List
A copy of the book we will be discussing that week. The library is a great resource! Any form of the book is fine. They are all by Andrew Clements: Frindle, No Talking, The Report Card, About Average, and Lost and Found. Learners do not have to read Frindle before the first class, so we will spend two weeks on it. The final week will be a summary/book talk of the reader's choice book. A small pad of sticky notes is essential. They can be as small as 2 x 1-1/2, or whatever size the learner likes. For those using an e-reader, a small notebook to keep track of their thinking - either to house their sticky notes, or just to use instead of sticky notes. Please have these ready for the first class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined June, 2020
5.0
117reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Florida Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
Master's Degree in Education from University of Northern Colorado
I have a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, and a Master's Degree in Gifted Education. I taught in a classroom setting for over 20 years before retiring. I love middle grade books, and still have a library of them. It is so much fun to help spark a love of reading!Reviews
Live Group Course
$12
weekly or $96 for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
35 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-10
3-5 learners per class
