The Book Club Breakdown

Ep. 12 Launching & Managing Book Clubs - Book Clubs in Practice with Brittany Bartlett

Guests: Britany Bartlett and students Brittany Bartlett, a grade seven teacher, discusses the implementation of theme-based book clubs in her classroom. The discussion highlights the importance of student choice in book selection and the use of hexagonal thinking to connect different texts. Brittany emphasizes the significance of facilitating personal connections to literature, allowing students to voice their experiences and reflections. Students also share their thinking and what they've learned from reading together in book clubs.

Ep. 11 Launching & Managing Book Clubs - Book Clubs in Practice with Shari Roberts

Episode 11 Guests: Shari Roberts and students Heather and Sandy engage with Shari Roberts, a Junior/ Intermediate teacher, to explore the intricacies of implementing book clubs in the classroom. Shari shares her extensive experience in preparing students for book club discussions, emphasizing the importance of scaffolding, practice, and creating a supportive environment. The conversation delves into the dynamics of student-led discussions, the role of the teacher, and the excitement surrounding book club days, providing valuable insights for educators looking to enhance their reading programs. Students also share their experiences learning in book clubs.

Ep. 9: Launching & Managing Book Clubs - Anchoring to Our Anchor Texts

Hosts Sandy and Heather in coversation to introduce season two. Sandy and Heather discuss the podcast’s two anchor texts to give an overview of launching and managing book clubs in classrooms. They discuss various structures for book clubs, the importance of diverse texts, and the essential skills needed for successful discussions. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective organization and planning and aims to inspire educators to create engaging and inclusive reading experiences for students.

Ep. 10: Launching & Managing Book Clubs - Talking with an Author of Breathing New Life into Book Clubs

Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul, an expert in literacy and equity, discusses the transformative power of book clubs in education. The discussion explores how book clubs can breathe new life into reading practices by centering student choice, fostering diverse voices, and creating a joyful learning environment. Dr. Cherry-Paul emphasizes the importance of cultivating student voice, reflecting identities through literature, and embracing the chaos of book clubs as a means to enhance student engagement and growth in literacy.

Ep. 8 Selecting Texts: Inspiring Students with Book Talks

Guest: Rachel Cooke, TDSB Hybrid-Teacher/Coach and Assistant Curriculum Leader of English/Literacy, and Author Rachel Cook shares insights into the practice of “book talks” and their impact on student reading habits. She discusses the significance of book talks, the process of selecting texts, and the logistics of implementing them in the classroom.