Morgan Elementary Teacher Starts Early Morning Book Club With Students
November 14, 2024
November 14, 2024
Ms. Self, first-grade teacher at Morgan Elementary, has found a creative and meaningful way to stay connected with her former students who are now in second grade. She recently started "The Magic Tree House Book Club," where her previous students gather before school, one day a week to read and discuss the adventures in the beloved Magic Tree House series. This club was inspired by her desire to continue building relationships with the children she dearly loves but doesn’t get to see as often since they’ve moved “upstairs.” Several of these second graders even pop by Ms. Self’s classroom to borrow books from her collection, eager to continue their journey with Jack and Annie.
Beyond just reading for fun, the club is also helping students develop key literacy skills. Ms. Self has introduced the concept of literature circles to the group, where each child takes on a specific role to enhance their understanding of the text. The roles include being the Illustrator, who draws scenes from the story; the Discussion Leader, who guides group conversations; the Questioner, who creates thought-provoking questions; the Word Wizard, who looks up challenging vocabulary; and the Summarizer, who recaps key plot points. These roles not only make reading more engaging but also help the students build skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.
The students are not only practicing their reading and comprehension skills but are also learning to work together as a team. The Magic Tree House Book Club has become a much-anticipated part of their week, turning reading into an adventure that’s as exciting as the stories they explore.