Hooked on Books

Student Resources

.kids reading with their backs against each other

 Teacher Resources

boy reading to a girl while she looks over his shoulder

 

build background knowledge

 Research Scenario

Calling all third graders! Your library media specialist needs help getting second graders hooked on books. You will need to help your media specialist by creating a booktalk. A booktalk is a way of getting someone interested and excited about a certain book.  This is a very important job because, as you know, reading is an essential part of every student’s life!  Let’s get them hooked on a book!

How do I get a young reader hooked on a book?

First, you will need to build some background knowledge on booktalks by viewing the following Web sites: Use this the Destiny Booktalks list to search in the Destiny catalog for video reviews.

 

 


girl on computer smiling and exploring
Task and Product

Your goal is to create an exciting booktalk that will get second grade students interested in the book you recommend. 

During this project, you will:

  1. Find an interesting book using Destiny.
  2. Take notes on the book.
  3. Write a script for your booktalk.
  4. Create your booktalk using one of the following tools as directed by your teacher:
    - Audacity
    - Digital video recorder
  5. Participate in a gallery walk to peer evaluate your classmates’ booktalks.

 


a test with an A grade on it circled in red

 
Assessments
The following scoring tools may be used or adapted by your teacher to evaluate your research process and your final product and presentation.

Research Process Assessments:

Group Collaboration Assessments:

 

 



question mark with stick people standing on the point

 Essential Question:
How do I get a young reader hooked on a book?


Focus Questions:

Many readers choose books because of the setting, characters, and/or connections they make with the story.
  1. Could you visualize the setting?
    What words did the author use to make the setting clear in your mind?

  2. Did the characters stand out to you? Why or why not?
    How did the author make the characters memorable?

  3. Do you have a connection to the story?  Explain the connection.

 

 

group of kids studying together

 

 

sticky notes

Image Source: Flickr

 Gather and Sort

Step 1: Think of topics and/or authors that you are interested in.

Step 2: Use Destiny to conduct a keyword search or author search in order to locate a book for your booktalk. 

  • Write down the call number and locate the book in the library.

Step 3: Read the book.  Make sure that it is appropriate for a
second grader by using the checklist.

Step 4: Reread the book, keeping in mind the focus questions. As you read, use sticky notes to post comments if you are interested in:

Setting

  • Place a sticky note on that page and label it S

Characters

  • Place a sticky note on that page and label it CH

Connections

  • Place a sticky note on that page and label it C
  • Tell what kind of connection you are making:
    - Text to Self = T - S
    - Text to Text = T - T
    - Text to World = T - W

Step 5:  Decide what you were most interested in by going back to your post-it notes. Click on the appropriate link below and complete the graphic organizer.

Step 6:  Click here to complete the plot graphic organizer

Make sure you avoid plagiarism by using your own words, not the author’s words.

Step 7: Use your completed plot graphic organizer and the What's the Big Idea list to determine the theme of your story.

 


colored folders in a row

Organize

Analyze your notes by using this checklist to determine if you have enough information to write your booktalk script.

Synthesize your findings by using these guidelines to help you write your booktalk script. 

  • Click on the Spaghetti Book Club link if you need more examples of booktalks.

    Create your booktalk either as a Podcast or digital video as directed by your teacher.  Remember to practice many times!
Evaluate your finished product by using the student scoring tool.

 

 

 

little girl smiling and enjoying reading

 Conclusion

Presentation:
As you participate in a gallery walk, view at least two of your classmates' booktalks and complete the student scoring tool.

Reflection:
Think about your own booktalk and your classmates' booktalks as you answer the essential question: How do I get a young reader hooked on a book?

Extension Activities:

 

jQuery