How Book Clubs Build Confident Pre-Teen Readers (According to Literacy Research)
Are Book Clubs for Pre-Teens Evidence-Based Learning Activities?
The quick answer is, yes! In this blog post, I will share with you some research that specifically highlights how book clubs are one effective way to teach literacy… And yes, I wrote this blog and read through the research myself – AI did not :)
Student Choice
Providing your child with the opportunity to choose what they are reading encourages independence and overall motivation to learn. When kids are given the choice of genre, author, or topic you let them take control of their own learning. This makes a difference for students because many aspects of their daily routines are already decided for them by adults.
Another effective way to provide choice is by guiding your child toward a set of books (reading level, topic, or interest) to select from. Student choice with a little guidance can help students feel successful while they read in a small group. If you aren’t sure whether a novel is an appropriate reading level wise for your child, I highly recommend checking out this Scholastic article on how to choose a book that is "just right."
Learning is Social!
Learning is a social activity, and conversational skills are a true art. Developing the skills to have productive conversations around academic topics can be one of the most powerful tools your child can possess. Whether it be in an academic setting or in the real world, socializing with others is a skill that is imperative.
Technology plays a role in how students communicate with one another. In a world where technology can be a passive and isolating experience teaching students to stay present and engage in a meaningful way is skill that will not only be beneficial in the literacy realm but also in almost every area of life. According to Petrich (2015), book clubs foster socialization in conversations across all content areas. Shaping a learning community in a way that fosters open dialogue among learners is an effective method to build engagement during literacy activities.
Collaborating with Peers
Learning from peers in a small-group setting comes with several benefits. Focused social interactions and learning alongside peers can greatly enhance a student's comprehension of a book. Pausing naturally during small-group reading to ask questions and discuss ideas is a proven way to develop comprehension skills.
The act of listening to other’s perspectives, ideas, and takes on what is going on in a book is an excellent way to promote collaboration. Respectfully agreeing or disagreeing with another’s stance and debating a topic can turn a book into a lively adventure. According to Kline (2024), book clubs allow students to interact and learn from peers while utilizing strategies that boost their comprehension. The facilitator can be a guide during this process by providing chapter discussion questions to help focus and enrich student conversations.
Book clubs are an effective, evidence-based way to improve student autonomy, promote peer-to-peer conversations, and boost reading comprehension. If you’re interested in checking out some of the book clubs I offer, click here!
References:
Kline, K. (2024).Implementation of Book Clubs and its Effects on Student Motivation. FAU Lab Schools Action Research Series.https://labschools.fau.edu/teacher-research/articles/implementation-of-book-clubs-kline/index.php
Petrich, N. R. (2015). Book clubs: Conversations inspiring community. i.e.: inquiry in education, 7(1), Article 4.https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1171691.pdf
Scholastic Parents Staff. (2024, June 17).The five finger rule for reading will help your child find a 'just-right' book. Scholastic Parents.https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/five-finger-rule.html
