Page 67 - EdViewptsSpring2020
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The Cultural and Instructional
Impacts of Teacher Book Clubs
By Jane Losinger, Supervisor of Language Arts Literacy, Howell Twp. Public
Schools
When teachers and “Really? I thought it was way too texts. According to Goldberg and
administrators engage much for one book. Would a fourth Pesko (2000, p. 41), book clubs “give
grader be ready for all of that?”
teachers opportunities to engage in
collaboratively, book clubs “But at the same time, I appreciated deep conversations, to layer personal
are a structure for learning, the author’s treatment of divorce experiences with literacy learning, and
to probe instructional issues on an
with the potential to build and I can think of several students extended basis.”
in my classroom who would relate
cultural competency and to the character’s emotions.” Instructional Expertise Grows
professional capacity across The informal, social book club is now For the past three years, we have
ubiquitous outside of schools, a forum
a school and even a district. for friends and neighbors to offer their offered two teacher book clubs, one
geared toward upper elementary
At 4pm on a Monday, only a smattering perspectives and engage in dialogue in grades, and one for middle school.
the context of a shared experience: a
of cars remain in the school parking lot. book. Recently, Howell Township Public Books are purchased by the school
Meanwhile, inside a classroom tucked Schools, a large K-8 school district, district and ultimately become additions
away at the end of a deserted hallway, seized upon this concept, launching to each teacher’s classroom library.
a spirited debate is underway. Each book club consists of 12 mem-
voluntary, afterschool book clubs, at
“I loved the way the author wove which teachers and administrators bers, who gather monthly for casual,
several different social issues into meet monthly to discuss contemporary co-constructed meetings, without a
the story.” children’s literature and professional formal presenter or structured agenda.
Educational Viewpoints -65- Spring 2020
