EIGHT reasons why Book clubs meet 21 Century Learning Outcomes!

This last year we have seen a growth in book clubs at HCOS as we connect in cyberspace; on blogs, wikis and virtual worlds to share literacy objectives,  and in the process meet some 21 century learning outcomes.  Here is my plug for how and why book clubs are meeting 21 century educational principles.

1.  COLLABORATION
Students love connecting in a classroom environment, where they can meet, share and play with literacy concepts, whilst deconstructing novels.  Research shows that collaboration is the ideal way to create connectedness and a sense of belonging.

2.  ENGAGEMENT!
New research points to effective online teaching being engaging and dynamic.  Creating relationship with students at the forefront of a classroom environment,  whether formal or informal is imperative for students to feel connected, and have a sense of belonging and accountability.

3.  VOICE
Creating space and giving voice to our students is empowering, Godly and democratic.  Hearing our teens share the personal impact with character, theme or plot is life giving. Spiritual leadership can encourage voice and social justice in the classroom.

4.  BLOOM'S TAXONOMY
Wrestling with worldview is part of the great debate as we come to terms with the message behind the author's worldview?  Secular, Christian, economic, philosophical... too many to mention?  Then of course there is the product of book clubs, or the source?   Creating is the new buzzword in Bloom's Taxonomy!  Writing reviews on blogs, wiki's, google docs, podcasts, or making video trailers, is par for the course.

5.  LEARNING OUTCOMES
As teachers we are 'learning' to love the learning outcomes.  Until we wait for the B.C. ministry to catch up with aligning 21 century outcomes to our  outcomes,  here are the Book club outcomes aligned with language arts and applied skills.  It is amazing how many I could find!!!!!

 6.  TEACHER AS MODERATOR/FACILITATOR
As we move from 'sage on the stage' to 'guide on the side' book club moderators can enhance student engagement by facilitating as opposed to teaching in the flipped classroom.  Read more on the new vision of teacher as professional role model.

7.  FLIPPED CLASSROOM
I love the idea that classrooms can be flipped.  Book clubs begin with reading a book, discovering the author's background,  coming prepared for the discussion with questions related to theme, worldview, plot, author etc. The flipped classroom approach is in practice in schools in Canada; an example is Quinn Bareth sharing about his new flipped grade 6 classroom.

8.  STUDENTS AS LEADERS
As our senior students engaged in book clubs many were excited about leading the sessions.   Our moderators welcomed this step, encouraging them to set the stage after role modeling,  and coaching from the sidelines.  In our younger groups students enjoyed leading in prayer, making decisions about books being read, technology, and analytical questions.  One leadership highlight was seeing my grade 7/8 students create their own forums and polls, using Collaborize Classroom to decide on the next month's read/ or questions related to novels.

Do you have a teaching practice that meets 21 century principles? I would love to hear your comments and ideas?

Blessings to you
Pippa