Final+Thoughts

As you read over the last two paragraphs on page 171, Kathy's final words to us, share with us your final reflections. Since I am totally new to reading clubs I have no previous experience to pull from. When I read Kathy's views about "upper grade envy" I could certainly relate. I love teaching first grade but when I let my imagination run away with me I do picture myself in a middle school classroom having deep discussions with groups of students who are engaged and have a few more years of life experiences to draw from. Now back to the real world of first graders. Although they are only 7 they have a lot to offer me on my quest to being the best reading teacher that I can possibly be. It is my hope that when my students walk out the door of OVEE for their final ride home for the school year they will reach into their backpacks, pull out a book, and read--not because they have to but because they want to! --Jodee Tuttle
 * Respond Here: I can understand how Kathy feels as I taught 1st and 2nd grade for 10 years, and now I am in third grade. Even in third grade our discussions are much deeper than in first obviously, but thinking about teaching in fifth grade or even in the middle school as Jodee mentioned makes me envision even deeper conversations about books and themes in literature. I m sure that it is a much different experience in the upper grades, but it could also be a similar experience to lower elementary if the kids have not been taught or had modeling of any kind in book club discussions or deeper thinking about literary views. I often think about the impact that teachers could make if we were always on the same page. Just because I might do book clubs, have deeper discussion, make kids think harder, and push their reading/intention level doesn't mean that is necessarily going to happen in the next grade or even again for that matter (I would hope that it does at some level). I really liked what Bobbi said at the end of her paragraph about the meaning of clubs and how reading in school helps connect to the reading that we all hope they will do in their world as they grow and learn outside of school. SLG**

Final Thoughts from Bobbi Friend – After reading Kathy’s final thoughts about how she would sometimes think about what it would be like to teach reading at an upper grade, I can totally relate. The difference is, however, that I actually am switching to an upper grade. I am being given the opportunity to teach reading only to sixth graders as a pilot project this year. I am so excited to be able to work with higher grade level students and connect to my readers at a higher level. I am certain that my reading instruction will still be very similar to teaching that occurs at a lower level, just at a more sophisticated level. I will still need to teach skills and strategies to my students, they will just be to move my students toward adult level reading rather than moving them toward conventional reading. I plan to use reading clubs because reading clubs offer a bridge between the teaching of skills and strategies to readers and the modeling of highly engaged, purposeful reading life. Reading clubs help us connect the reading our students must do in school to the reading we hope they choose to do once they are outside of our classrooms.

I have never fully taught reading clubs before, but how exciting to try in a classroom when I have one. I can truely see how during reading clubs the children set their own purposes and have their own intentions for reading. Hopefully instilling the "love of reading" in their lives. J. Baker

As I read this book, I had to keep reminding myself that Collins is working with K-2 students and not upper el / middle school students. Through book clubs Collins brought her students reading, thinking, and conversation to whole new level. This is a book that I will share with the classroom teachers. I would love it to turn into a book study – Fran Olesen

I found myself appreciating her desire to connect with students - that connection is so powerful. I also appreciated her reminder of the big goal - "a highly engaged, purposeful reading life." Thanks to all of you for your comments. I appreciated them and got a lot out of this book study. Krista Raffenaud

I love the thinking I have done regarding book clubs. I never really did them as a teacher so I didn't have a very clear conceptual idea of what they may look like. Several of my teachers are implementing book clubs in their classrooms and I am happy I know more about them now so I can give them more powerful and strategic feedback when I watch them teach. Thanks! Carol Dawson


 * This book gave me some very clear direction on how to begin doing reading clubs with my students. Any new initiative for teachers can feel overwhelming to get started, but Kathy Collins made it seem easy. I really feel I can get started with this after reading. Also, reading this book made it clear to me again that my strongest desire for my students is that education can be a vehicle for them to move past the struggles and poverty they face in life and to be successful in college and a career. What stood out to me the most is that Reading Clubs can play a part in reaching this point for my students. Kids being involved in reading clubs will become stronger, more independent readers, something some of them may struggle to become without doing reading work like this. Thanks for the great book! **
 * --Kristy Weberg-- **

The Appendixes has some wonderful resources for us. Make sure you look these over and make a plan to use some.