For those of you who’ve read this blog for a while, you know I host three after-school book clubs: a group of third graders, a group of fourth and fifth graders, and a group of sixth and seventh graders. One of my favorite things about leading these groups has been sharing books from my childhood with kids I love.
Yesterday was magic.
Though numbers were low, the discussion was lively. It was so exciting to hear my students really getting the story: the plant/growth imagery, the characters who started the story dormant/asleep and later came to life, much like their beloved garden. I didn’t have to press the imagery. They got it on their own.
I passed out notecards with various characters: Mary, Mr. Craven, Colin, Dickon, Ben Weatherstaff, even the garden, a setting that is almost a character. The kids found similarities and differences between the characters I’d never noticed myself. Their answers reflected beautiful examples of characterization and character arc.
As a former English teacher, I know it’s is easy to teach literary concepts in a vacuum, hoping kids pick up the ideas you’re presenting and connect them to the things they read. Now I don’t have the luxury of daily interaction with this group, and guess what? It doesn’t matter.* They are discovering the very things we discussed in class by reading broadly and intentionally. Knowing they need to come with some sort of opinion has pushed them to read in a way that looks for patterns, change, conflict, and growth.
Do they remember all those terms we discussed in class? Some probably, but not all. They understand the concepts, though, and our discussion has been all the richer.
Teachers, give your students room to explore books and draw their own conclusions.
Authors, trust your readers to understand.
*Though I must say their teacher this year is doing an excellent job!
That’s so cool that you host so many book clubs. You really keep in touch with a wide range of age groups. You’re right that it’s okay if they don’t remember everything you discuss. But they’re getting some good tools for what to look for as they read.
Wow. Isn’t that what we writers live for? I love that you run a kids book club. How cool.
The Secret Garden is such a good book to choose! Kids never fail to exceed expectations when given a real chance.
Caroline, what a great way to connect with middle grade readers, not to mention teach them. Proud moment. I love that.
Precious:)
Reading this makes me happy.
And hopeful.
My very favorite teachers do exactly that – give the kids minds room to grow. 🙂
Your advice couldn’t be better! I know I’m constantly having to shut my mouth and let kids draw their own conclusions, instead of fishing around for the conclusion I think is “right”. Every day I remind myself to talk less….the kids always learn more.
What fun! It’s always better to let the kids talk.
I saw your comment on Teresa’s blog about affecting a kid with Soto’s work. Very touching.
I love that you host book clubs. Nuturing kids with reading is probably the coolest thing a person can do. And you’re so right about trusting our readers to understand. Without trust, there’s no point in writing.
Suzanne, thanks for your comment. My student who connected with Gary Soto is actually a great parallel for this post.
I think that experience taught me first-hand how powerful books can be in the hands of children.
Awesome! It’s so cool to hear about kids learning to love incredible books! You’re doing a very good thing 🙂
I love your book club posts. So informative right from the trenches. Those kids are amazing.
I have to say even as a kid I thrived around books. Hats of to you for being a child’s hero!
Caroline – I just found your blog & so glad I did! I’ve been toying with the idea of starting a book club for kids lately. This was timely.
Oh, I loved The Secret Garden when I was in 6th grade. It really is magical, isn’t it? How fun for you to discuss it with younger readers. I always leave our YA book club nights feeling completely refreshed and I imagine you feel the same.
I loved The Secret Garden–such a great book for younger readers to explore! And really explore–there’s so much there for them to discover. Thanks for participating in the reading lives of these kids!