English+12+--+Book+Clubs

=__Book Clubs __= These next few weeks offer a unique learning opportunity; there will be class directed learning time, small group directed learning, and personal directed learning opportunities. Book groups consist of 4-5 students who have elected to read the same book. They each will read their novel on their own, and then join together to discuss things they have found, questions they have, and connections they have made. During this unit we will be learning both reading and writing strategies.

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Students will be able to select one of these five books to form their Book Club:
 * 1) =====The Road by Cormac McCarthy=====
 * 2) =====My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok=====
 * 3) =====Persuasion by Jane Austen=====
 * 4) =====The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum=====
 * 5) =====Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card=====

March 3, 2010
Before we are able to from the books groups, you first need to select which book you would like to read. We started class by watching a Powerpoint of questions related to the five books. After reflecting on the questions, we went to the library and used the attached worksheet to further evaluate each of the books. Next class, I will let you know which book group you will be a member of. Remember, just because you put a first choice does not mean that you will get your first choice. Homework
 * 1) Enjoy your weekend

March 8, 2010
Today was the first day of book groups. After checking out your books, each of you met together and created a reading schedule. As a group you also elected what punishment would be if students came to class unprepared and how you would encourage each other to talk in group.

March 10, 2010
Today class was started with a journal prompt that was later turned in: Define best friend. What do you like to know about your friend, or do with them, before they can be considered a best friend?

After discussing the journal, the class was divided by gender and we started a discussion on what type of questions would they seek to have answered as a relationship developed from starting to date to the questions a dad might ask a boy asking for his daughters hand in marriage. After looking at the types of questions, and grouping them, we realized that asking questions from similar categories would help prepare for a character analysis. (See handout).

After reviewing the questions for a character analysis book groups met together to talk about their book and begin asking questions from the handout. After the book groups were done talking, the rest of class was used to read.

Homework
 * 1) Continue reading (Stay on top of your groups schedule!)
 * 2) Write a reading response