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