Kids' Reading Clubhouse

Once a month, a small group of second graders and I get together and transform our local bookstore into the Kids' Reading Clubhouse. The girls show up having read the book of the month, and I show up with a basketful of tricks. You would not believe how excited these girls get about the books we read. They jump up and down, shout details from the book, laugh, and wave their arms in the air.

It's awesome.

For October, we read the The Spiderwick Chronicles: the Field Guide, which is, in my opinion, everything a middle reader should be. It's high for second graders to read independently, but I encourage parents to share the book with their kids and to embrace reading aloud to them.

We truly explore the books we read. After our initial group discussion, we break into centers and really bring the book to life. Below is my lesson plan.

Kids Reading Clubhouse

The Spiderwick Chronicles: The Field Guide

General reading discussion

Talk about Read-alouds

            Talk about Vocabulary—Ask girls to share a new word they learned from the book

Talk about the Story

• Did you like the book?
• What was your favorite part?
• Did you think it was scary or suspenseful? What’s the difference?
• Is the book meant to entertain, inform, or persuade?
• What is the field guide? Entertain, inform, or persuade?
• Name some of the magical creatures in the book.

                                   

Centers:

• Snack and Game
1. Brownies and milk. Play board game.
• Build a house for Thimbletack
1. Add to birdhouse to make it a suitable home
2. Create Thimbletack—Brownie versus Boggart
• Create a Field Guide
1. Draw your own magical creature
2. Name it
3. Write a description 

Give Stars

Present Pippi Longstocking

Bring:  birdhouse, mirrors, brown paper, string, glue, magazines, fabric, foam

table cloth, milk, cups, brownies, knife, plates, board game, cards, and game pieces

Field Guide worksheet, markers, crayons, and pencils

Up for Interpretation

The stage is empty.
The medals, given out.
The chairs, cleared away.
The lights are off.

Yesterday was the big event--Oral Interpretation! Two hundred kids from kindergarten to fifth grade memorized a poem, got on stage in front of their classmates, teachers, and parents, and recited what they had worked so hard to learn.

It was marvelous.

This was my second year organizing the event. There's a lot of work that goes into making it all come together. My favorite behind-the-scene moment, though, is the five seconds before each child goes out on stage. They're jittery. They're nervous. I get to tell them that they're going to be great, send them out there, and watch them as they shine, stumble, and make it through. They usually have about one minute  on stage in the spotlight.

But it's a momentous moment.

Oral Interpretation--the art of public speaking
Building confidence one child at a time

A Recipe for the Perfect Book Club

12 Amazing Women with 12 Fascinating Perspectives
Endless Good Books
Stimulating Conversation
Excellent (and Topical) Food
Wine
Laughter
Passion

Mix together once a month at one of the 12 amazing women's homes. Enjoy.

Over seven years ago in the midst of the fog that surrounded our first year as mothers, a small group of us started getting together at each others' houses to talk about books and life.

October's Book

This month, some 84 books later, we read Cutting for Stone, which takes place mainly in Ethiopia. Last Friday we met at an Ethiopian restaurant for a change of pace. Some of us drove an hour to get there. Others dragged themselves out of bed, tissues in hand to be there. It's not always easy to get away once a month, but most of us manage it most of the time, and last week, sitting around a table drinking honey wine and eating with our fingers while discussing (and debating) a good book made whatever it takes to get there well worth it. Of course one million other things were discussed as well. We barely even scraped the surface of all the things there are to share.

I love my book club. I need it. 

Magic happens when you mix the above ingredients together. 

Anywhere

Where do you like to read?
In a chair? Any certain one?
In bed under the covers?
In the car while waiting...?
In the library?
At your desk?
During swim lessons?
Outside?
In a tree?

The perfect spot

Follow Your Passion

Tonight at dinner we were talking about finding your talent, following your passion, and doing what you love.

Brian brought up that when he was a kid, the three things he loved most in the world were being outdoors, airplanes, and science. Today, through some miracle, he works in a field that beautifully combines all three of these things day in and day out. He is living his passion. Brian as a child would look to Brian today and be amazed.

For as long as I can remember I have loved books. Once the bug bit me back in third grade, I wanted to start every morning reading and end every day doing the same. In between, I tried to sneak in ways that my book and I could be alone, even for a few minutes. Not much has changed since then as far as reading is concerned, but what's so marvelous is that when I look around, I realize that I have built my life around that one passion.

Working in publishing has allowed me to see all sides of how books are made. I've gotten to work with some incredible authors, develop ideas, collaborate with illustrators as they bring words to life with their art. I've gotten to say yes to amazing projects and see them grow. And that's just the beginning. I am following a passion and it continues to lead me to incredible places.

One of my greatest wishes for our girls is that they end up doing what they love. Tonight they listened and then began shouting out what they are passionate about: Art! Nature! Science! Cooking! Won't it be fascinating to see where those passions take them and to watch them soar as they develop their talents?

Soaring above the clouds or "just another day at work"

Welcome Everyone!

Welcome to my new blog, where I'll be writing about books and writing--two of my favorite things in the world. Don't even get me started...wait, DO!