3/16/09

The “American Girls” book club meets over lunch with their sponsor.

Elementary school cafeterias are always full of happy chatter. Students squeal about the game of tag at recess or tomorrow’s field trip, and eagerly bargain to swap their granola bar for their neighbor’s cookies.

So was the case at Edmondson Heights Elementary School, at least until recently. These days, the lunch room is a little quieter since 165 students willingly packed up their snacks to discuss books during their lunch period.

An “Amelia Bedelia” book club

The Edmondson Heights librarian, Homa Taavoni, organized a multitude of book clubs in hopes of getting her students more excited about reading, but she never expected such a huge turnout. Students of all ages and reading levels flocked to sign up for the discussions about their favorite book series, including the Junie B. Jones, American Girls, Curious George and, of course, Harry Potter books. There are about 14 clubs in all, including one for Spanish-speaking students, each of which meets in small groups once a month.

“I was hoping to get 100 students,” says Taavoni. “We ran out of teachers: it was really overwhelming!”

A “Harry Potter” book club

After realizing the large number of students she was dealing with, Taavoni sent around a plea for assistance and the school staff responded by helping her to facilitate the clubs. With the help of folders to brief them on the books they would discuss, teachers from all subject areas sacrificed their lunch hours to work with small groups of students.

“The whole school is really excited about how our students have become hungry to read,” says Principal David Parker.

A “Nate the Great” book club

The meetings allow teachers and administrators, like secretary Dareen McGloin and assistant principal Lori Phelps, who may not normally get a chance to interact with the students on a personal level, to bond with individual children and to make a connection that will aid them in helping the students in areas other than reading.

Each participating student fills out a “graphic organizer” highlighting certain points about the books. This strategy reveals character traits that inspire self-reflection in students and give teachers a chance to promote good values. Reading also seems a lot more worthwhile when children can relate a situation in a book to a situation in their own lives.

A “Curious George” book club

Kristin Nelson, a third-grade teacher who volunteered to lead the “Arthur” chapter books discussion, was very impressed by the enthusiasm and focus of her group.    

“The students were excited about reading and were able to discuss events, characters, and setting,” Nelson said while describing the experience.

A good book is one of the sweetest treats anyone can consume, and learning to identify important literary elements is icing on the cake. This is one appetite the Edmondson Heights students will hope to indulge for the rest of their lives.

Book Club Sponsors – Book club sponsors include assistant principal Lori Phelps, various teachers, and school secretary Dareen McGloin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Story by Dani Replogle, senior at Towson High School and intern in the Office of Communications. Photos courtesy of Edmondson Heights Elementary School.

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