There are days where we really need to buckle down and practice our core reading and writing skills in English class. We annotate close readings to identify the methods an author uses to deliver a central theme, we craft strong thesis statements and practice supporting our written arguments with strong textual evidence... but the beauty of book clubs is really its potential to develop our students' abilities to speak and listen effectively to their peers.
Because most states in the U.S. use the Common Core State Standards, I will quote them; similar communication standards exist in other states as well.
Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.
While regular book club meetings are a great way to help students get comfortable talking with one another, sometimes it is hard to be sure the conversation stays focused on the text. Sometimes students feel awkward sitting in a circle and staring at each other!
Enter... games! They give everyone something else to focus on (which is fun), so that the discussion part of the meeting feels a whole lot less awkward. And these games have the added benefit of making sure that students are answering and discussing questions that actually relate to our content area!
If you missed our previous book club blog posts, check out: Setting up Book Clubs for Success and Book Club Meetings Reinvented- Stellar Strategies that Work!
Novel Conversation Games We Love
Book Discussion Jenga
This has been shared by numerous educators as a fun way of challenging students to answer leveled questions and rewarding them (with points) for taking on those higher levels of Bloom's Taxonomy! Just take a regular wood stacking game like Jenga, and use three Sharpies to number the blocks: 1-18 in red, 19-36 in green, and 37-54 in blue. Then, print out these questions and give each team a scorecard. This is so fun, they don't want to stop playing!
Wormholes and UFOs
This is our very own twist on Chutes and Ladders. While playing this childhood classic, players have a chance to freeze other players' turns, get beamed up by UFOs, or sent back by wormholes. Throughout the game, players land on colorful squares that correspond with four types of discussion questions: Become, Connect, Analyze, Discuss. With 128 cards, this game can be played over and over for fresh discussion and practice of those important speaking and listening skills! Check out the game here!
Book clubs are a fantastic way to make your students fall in love with reading, and these games can make this experience even more engaging and memorable for your students. By combining reading, discussion, and gameplay, you can encourage your students to explore the literary universe in a whole new way.
We can't wait for you to watch your book clubs take off to a whole new dimension of excitement and learning. Happy reading and gaming!
~Jamie
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