Throughout the school year, 4th and 5th Grade students celebrate their love of reading through "Book Clubs."
As a supplement to the Language Arts program, the Book Club initiative goes beyond fostering a love of literature. It is carefully curated to boost critical thinking skills and deepen comprehension. Teachers compile a list of novels, from award-winning Newbery authors to New York Times Best Sellers, ensuring quality literature at appropriate reading levels and various interests and genres. For each rotation, the teachers introduce the options, providing a glimpse of each book without revealing too much. Young readers are then encouraged to select the book that piques their interest, forming a book club with peers who share their selection.
Once students choose a book, they begin their independent reading at home. The Book Club gathers once again for their "Halfway Meeting," where they discuss the significant events of each chapter and make predictions for the end of the story. To positively contribute to the meeting, students prepare by taking notes on the important aspects of the novel, including characters, setting, and main events. During their meetings, they practice the art of active listening and being effective participants. When students finish their books, they begin preparing for the "End of Book Meeting" and gather again at school to reflect on their reading experience and engage in fun, creative activities related to their book, such as designing comic book strips and maintaining character journals.
By the end of the year, these intrepid Trailblazers will have read many quality novels independently, improving their comprehension and encouraging the love of reading for pleasure.
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