The Joy of Reading: Book Club and Reading Strategies for Ages 7-10

This class is born from my love of reading and teaching. Throughout my 20 years of teaching, my read-alouds and novel studies have never become old. I look forward to it every day and am excited to bring this passion to my Outschool platform.
The most important skill a child can learn is to love reading.

In this ongoing book club we'll read popular novels that I've successfully taught in my classroom for several years. We will go beyond the surface to deeply explore the stories and characters. Through engaging discussions, we will practice reading and comprehension strategies while studying characters, settings, the five elements of plot, foreshadowing, flashbacks, and more. I will pose thought-provoking questions designed to help students understand and enjoy the stories fully. This club is perfect for those eager to dive deep into literature and enhance their reading skills. I also connect reading to writing so as we discuss writing styles and techniques I will reference how they can include those in their own writing. 
Students will be required to have a copy of the book and do some reading between classes.

In my reading book clubs we will do most of the reading during class. I like to read along with the students so I can ask very specific questions and help them notice details that they might not on their own. They will need to read some on their own but not much, therefore it will take us a little longer to get through a book. They can read ahead some if they would like, but not to much because we don't want them to accidently give out spoilers in class. Each book will take us 4-8 weeks to read, students can come and go but they might need to catch up with the reading outside of class. We will have a lot of discussion in class, students can share ideas and read aloud if they would like but I would never make them. 

Students will play a roll in the book we read next. We will start with the novel Because of Winn Dixie, then as a class we will pick our next read from the list below. The books have different reading levels, some more challenging and some not. Students can learn and enjoy all the novels. As I discover other books I will add them to the list. 

In each class I will explain the "target skill" we will be focusing on during class. After reading we will apply what we learned to the text. It is a very relaxed and enjoyable class. No pressure, just enjoying reading and learning skills to help. THIS CLASS WILL COVER MOST OF THE LITERATURE READING STANDARDS FOR 2ND-4TH GRADE.  

We will journal as we read also. At the end of each class, I will ask a question or give a discussion topic based off of the days reading. They will respond in their journal then share if they would like to. 

**This is a safe place to ask question, discuss the book, discuss topics the books bring up and get to know each other. The goal if for the students to have fun and learn to enjoy a good book!

Class Time Breakdown (Approx.)
5-10 minutes - Review icebreaker
10 minutes - Target Skill
20 minutes - Read and discuss
5 minutes - Journal writing



Tues. and Wed Class
Week of Mar 24 - Because of Winn Dixie- Author, genre 
Week of Mar 31 - Setting/tone/mood
Week of April 7 - Activating prior knowledge
Week  of April 14 - OFF
Week of April 21- Character traits
Week  of April 28 - Different types of characters
Week  of May 5-  Imagery/description/visualizing
Week of May 12 - Point of View
Week of May 19- Writing techniques (repetition, foreshadowing, flashbacks, etc)
Week  of May 26 - Questioning/rereading/monitoring comprehension
Week of June 2- Types of conflict
Week of June 9  - 5 Elements of Plot
Week of June 16- Reflecting


Thurs and Friday - 5:00 AM MST
Week of Mar 17- Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing- Author, genre 
Week of Mar 24 - Setting/tone/mood
Week of Mar 31 -  Activating prior knowledge
Week  of April 7- Character traits
Week  of April 14 - Different types of characters
Week  of April 21-  Imagery/description/visualizing
Week of April 28- Point of View
Week of May 5- Writing techniques (repetition, foreshadowing, flashbacks, etc)
Week  of May 12 - Questioning/rereading/monitoring comprehension
Week of May 19 - Types of conflict
Week of May 26 5 Elements of Plot
Week of June 2nd - OFF 

Mon. and Tues Class
Week of Mar 17 - Charlotte's Web- Author, genre 
Week of Mar 24 - Setting/tone/mood
Week of Mar 31 -Activating prior knowledge
Week  of April 7- Character traits
Week  of April 14 - OFF
Week of April 21- Different types of characters
Week  of April 28-  Imagery/description/visualizing
Week of May 5- Point of View
Week of May 12 -Writing techniques (repetition, foreshadowing, flashbacks, etc)
Week  of May 19 - Questioning/rereading/monitoring comprehension
Week of May 26 - Types of conflict
Week of June 2- 5 Elements of Plot

Summer Session - Short Session just for summer - Monday and Thursday
Week of June 9 - Charlotte's Web- Author, genre 
Week of June 16 - Setting/tone/mood
Week of June 23 - OFF
Week of June 30 -Activating prior knowledge
Week  of July 7- Character traits
Week of July 14- Different types of characters
Week  of July 21-  Imagery/description/visualizing
Week of July 28- Point of View


*Book List*
We will start with Because of Winn Dixie or Charlottes Web.
Shiloh
The Tale of Despereaux 
The BFG 
Matilda 
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
The Boxcar Children series 
Stuart Little 
The Magic Tree House Series
The Ramona series 
Sarah, Plain and Tall 
Pay it Forward
Wonder
Charlottes Web
Bridge to Terabithia
Treasure Island
The Book Thief
Black Beauty
The Secret Garden
Little House on the Prairie series
The True Confessions of Charlette Doyle

*Sibling discount available