Chapter's 9 and 10

Again I enjoyed reading D&Z this week. The portion of the reading I want to talk about today is Chapter 9's approach to the use of book clubs in the classroom. Every time I do the reading I am constantly looking for what ideas I want to steal and use in my classroom. This is one of them. Not only do the authors provide an excellent method of instruction but they spell out ways to implement and assess book clubs to overcome some of the difficulties that may arise. As a prospective Social Studies teacher the use of book clubs to evaluate a historical period is a great way to jigsaw multiple perspectives to one unit. I like this because it improves the student's critical reading skills while providing them with the opportunity to discuss their findings with their classmates in an academic setting. Book clubs are also a great way to improve student's researching skills. By asking them to analyze a text with minimal guidance they will be better prepared to sift through academic journals and research articles when they reach higher grade levels. The reading provides a clear framework for these clubs. I love the idea of daily point assessments. Explaining to the students what I will be looking for when I go from group to group will guide their reading as well as keep them engaged and on task rather than sitting back and coasting through the discussions. These small groups also could be manipulated to fit students in groups that improve behavioral issues. If I know a student doesn't get along with another I can sit them in groups far away from one another. Furthermore, I can mix and match intelligence levels in order to raise the expectations for under performing students as well as give the students who grasp the material quickly the opportunity to peer educate which will foster a community of learners in the class. Content wise I love the idea of using literature to approach social science. Evaluating the literary work of a time period can expose the attitudes and ideals of the people who lived during that time. It could also be used to teach social studies themes of social justice, types of government, or civic duty. Rather than say "people felt this way" I can have the students discover on their own what the author's viewpoint is. I am going to steal this and use it to teach a unit when I am in the classroom.

This link brings it a step further interviewing authors. This could be used to challenge or support the students assumptions of the books they are reading.