Reading Rocks Book Club: Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Grown-ups, are you looking for a way to instill a love of literature? Learners, are you looking for a fun and relaxed atmosphere to chat about intriguing books? You’ve found it, Reading Rocks Book Club is the place for YOU!
Stephanie Edgren, B.A., M.Ed.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(20)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 in-class hoursClass Experience
Fish in a Tree is the story of Ally Nickerson, an underdog who faces several challenges in middle school. With the help of her innovative, caring teacher and her newfound friends, Ally is able to face her challenges and rise above them. Reading Rocks Book Clubs are for learners who want to meet with others to discuss a common book they have read and share their thoughts, questions, opinions, reactions and/or connections in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. While I will come to class with questions for us to discuss, I encourage learners to be active participants, not only in joining in and building upon the conversations, but also posing questions to the group as well. Our discussions will be casual conversation style. I will incorporate reading skills and strategies, such as supporting thinking with text evidence, making inferences, identifying character traits, analyzing characters’ points of view, and identifying theme in our discussions but will do so in a natural manner as the skills apply to our conversations and questions. My overall book club goal is to encourage the love of reading! As they are reading, learners will be encouraged to annotate (record their questions, reactions, connections, etc.) and then bring their annotations to class to refer to during discussions. Annotating encourages learners to read with a purpose and helps deepen the understanding of a text. Learners may annotate on sticky notes, paper, in a notebook or on a device and each learner will be given an annotation guide and bookmark with our annotation symbols for easy reference. Learners may read a print or digital copy of the book, or to listen to an audiobook. Learners will read approximately 85 pages (give or take depending on the week) each week. Class Overview: Class #1 - Introductions - Review expectations - Discuss how to annotate using the annotation guide/bookmark symbols - Read and annotate chapter 1 and 2 together Class #2 - Discuss chapters 3-17 (pages 11-95) Class #3 - Discuss chapters 18-34 (pages 96-184) Class #4 - Discuss chapters 35-51 (pages 185-266) ***While not required, to elevate your learner's book club experience, I recommend joining the Illustrated Book Journaling class for Fish in a Tree with Niki McNeil. Miss Niki and I work together to design and coordinate these two classes allowing learners the ultimate learning experience. Illustrated Book Journaling classes typically start the week following the last book club class.
Learning Goals
Learners will:
- participate in collaborative discussions for enjoyment and to deepen their understanding of a text
- state their thoughts and opinions, and elaborate to clarify as needed
- pose questions to further conversation and respond to others’ questions and comments
- demonstrate active listening skills
- apply reading skills and strategies, such as supporting thinking with text evidence, making inferences, identifying character traits, analyzing characters’ points of view, and identifying theme
Other Details
Parental Guidance
I encourage parents to be familiar with the text to ensure it is suitable for their child. Parents may access parent and student reviews on Common Sense Media at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/fish-in-a-tree.
Supply List
1. A paper, digital or audio copy of the book Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Books can be obtained from local booksellers, online booksellers, your local libraries and Amazon. I will be using this book purchased from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fish-Tree-Lynda-Mullaly-Hunt/dp/0142426423. 2. Sticky notes, notebook paper or a digital device for learners to record their thoughts and questions while reading. 3. Learners will need to print out, or be able to easily refer to, the annotation bookmark which will be shared with the students prior to the first class.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined July, 2020
5.0
20reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
First and foremost, I LOVE to read, and I LOVE sharing that love of reading with my students! What I enjoy most about teaching is making connections with students and even better when it’s through a love of reading. I do love a good challenge though, so helping those less enthusiastic readers find their love of reading through quality literature is also a treasured connection for me.
As a certified teacher of 26 years, having a K-8 Reading Endorsement, K-12 Reading Specialist Certification and having taught preschool-middle schoolI am well-versed in teaching literacy skills and support readers across the grade levels. As a middle school reading teacher and distance learning college instructor I have lead book studies for many students.Reviews
Live Group Class
$40
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
45 min
Completed by 3 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
2-6 learners per class
