Greetings! I am replying to all rather than just Martha because I have
responded to over a dozen LM_NETters through the years concerning book
discussion groups. I decided it would be good to just get the message into
the archives.
I am looking forward to hosting my 15th year of book discussions with middle
school students. I have both a seventh grade group and an eighth grade one.
At the beginning of the year I survey students to see who is interested in
a book group. Depending on the number and composition, I choose the first
book. It is one that I have sufficient copies of. (Over the years I have
amassed a collection of paperbacks just for these groups.) I post a note
that the books are ready, and students sign out a copy. The books are not
bar coded - each just has a large number in permanent marker, students sign
name, book # and homeroom on loose leaf. On the designated discussion day,
we meet for lunch in the library. Students bring lunch - preferably a
brown bag, but they can buy a school lunch. I provide water and pop, and
homemade cookies (the hook!) We talk about the book. In my younger days,
the tables were decorated according to the book's theme or locale. Nowadays
it a coup if the napkins tie in with the theme! <g> When all the books are
returned, students may sign out the next book.
My groups are loosely structured. A student can sign out only those books
that interest her/him. We meet as often as I can fit it in... once every 4
-6 weeks per group. Students come back from college and still comment on
our group, and how they miss it.
I hope this helps Martha, and anyone who is wondering about MS book
discussion groups.
(AN aside: my favorite group started in sixth grade because they wanted to
know why only middle school had it. I gave the questioner a piece of paper
and said to see if she could find any one else in 6th grade interested. She
returned with 14 names and these students were with me for three years,
including another 12 we picked up from their class in seventh grade.)
Feel free to ask me specifics.
Nancy A.
Nancy Andersen
K-8 Librarian
Our Lady's Christian School
606 Lowell Avenue
Erie, PA. 16505
andersen@olcs-erie.com
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