Middle Grade Book Club Novel Study

I've been teaching virtual middle grade (grades 3 to 8) book club, which is actually a novel study literature class, since 2020! We read 5 books together over the school year (and a few more in the summer)!

Middle Grade Book Club meets weekly to discuss sections of the books. Together we cover vocabulary, comprehension, theme, symbolism, making predictions, creating connections, cultural studies, enrichment activities, and more.

Middle Grade Book Club is open to students ages 8 and up but some of the books we discuss are listed as suited for ages 10 and up. You know your learner best and different kids have different sensitivities. I highly recommend looking up the age range, themes, and topics of a book so that you can decide if it is a good fit. I will link to Common Sense Media when available. My class content is adaptable to all learners. If a child can use Zoom independently (using the chat or raising their hand without interrupting the class by unmuting themselves), they are typically ready for my classes.

It is $50/book (5 or 6 weekly classes) or a discount of $225 for the full year of 5 books. 

 

My classes are and always will be welcoming to everyone and all experiences. I will engage the class in whatever they may want to discuss. Literature allows us to consider many perspectives and practice empathy. The books, classes, and discussions are LGTBQ+ affirming. If any of this conflicts with the principles or beliefs of your family, then we will not be a good educational fit.

Each week students are assigned a portion of the book to read to discuss in class as well as 3 pages to complete with vocabulary and comprehension questions. We go over the material together in class so it is a good idea for students to have the pages printed, ready to go, and with/near them. We begin the first class ready to cover the content in the first assigned section.

PLEASE NOTE: The pages assigned are optional. While I speak in class as if these were completed ahead of time and assign them to my own kids, you know your learner best. Adapt as you see fit. 

Some students complete the pages with us in class and some forgo them all together. 

Please feel free to do what works best for you!

I also share Bonus Challenges which are additional ways to interact with the text through art, music, writing, drawing, etc. Again, these are optional. You may decide as a family which to complete. I ask my own kids to choose at least one per book.