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 Shiloh, 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 MAOST OF THE LITERATURE READING STANDARDS FOR 4TH-6TH 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

Summer/Fall Section - Join anytime
Week of Aug. 5th - Shiloh - Author, genre 
Week of Aug 12 - Setting/tone/mood
Week of Aug 19 - Activating prior knowledge
Week  of Aug 26- Character traits
Week  of Sept 2 - Different types of characters
Week  of Sept 9-  Imagery/description/visualizing
Week of Sept 16 - Point of View
Week of Sept 23- Writing techniques (repetition, foreshadowing, flashbacks, etc)
Week  of Sept 30 - Questioning/rereading/monitoring comprehension
Week of Oct 7 - Types of conflict
Week of Oct 14 - NO CLASS MONDAY, ONLY WEDNESDAY - 5 Elements of Plot
Week of Oct 21  - 5 Elements of Plot
Week of Oct. 28 - Reflecting
OFF WEEK OF NOV. 26

New Fall Sections - 
Week of Sept. 9 - Shiloh - Author, genre 
Week of Sept 16 - Setting/tone/mood
Week of Sept 23 - Activating prior knowledge
Week  of Sept 30- Character traits
Week  of Oct. 7 - Different types of characters
Week  of Oct. 14-  Imagery/description/visualizing
Week of Oct 21- Point of View
Week of Oct 28- Writing techniques (repetition, foreshadowing, flashbacks, etc)
Week  of Nov 4 - Questioning/rereading/monitoring comprehension
Week of Nov. 11 - Types of conflict
Week of Nov 18  - 5 Elements of Plot
OFF WEEK OF NOV. 25

New Fall Sections - 
Week of Sept. 16 - Shiloh - Author, genre 
Week of Sept 23- Setting/tone/mood
Week of Sept 30 - Activating prior knowledge
Week  of Oct 7- Character traits
Week  of Oct. 14- Different types of characters
Week  of Oct. 21-  Imagery/description/visualizing
Week of Oct 28- Point of View
Week of Nov 4- Writing techniques (repetition, foreshadowing, flashbacks, etc)
Week  of Nov 11 - Questioning/rereading/monitoring comprehension
Week of Nov. 18 - Types of conflict
OFF WEEK OF NOV. 25
Week of Dec. 1 - Elements of Plot






*Book List*
We will start with Shiloh.
Hatchet
Where the Red Fern Grows
Because of Winn Dixie
The War the Saved Me
Bud Not Buddy
Number the Stars
Percy Jackson series
Harry Potter series
The Outsiders
The Downsiders
The Giver
The Cay
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