Third Grade Book Club

Submitted by Michelle Sussmann and Rachel Brainin, Third Grade Teachers

When children are small, reading together with the adults in their lives is a source of comfort, connection and communication. It is a time for families to joyfully socialize around a common text. As children grow and are able to read on their own, reading often becomes a solitary activity, even as we are all eager to share and make meaning of what we read. Book clubs help launch the solitary into the social. Third graders have just completed their first monthly book club, bringing their friends and families into the fold.

At the start of each month, third-grade families learn what that month’s book club selection is. Our book club book is carefully chosen and is accessible for all, regardless of a child’s ability to read the words on the page. In fact, our first book has no words at all! This is an intentional choice so the focus is fully on thinking about and understanding the story and having deep, meaningful conversations. In order to assist with the book club discussions, families are provided with a list of questions as well as optional extension activities.

Families may structure their individual book clubs in whatever way works best for them. They may keep their book club to the members of their household, join together with classmates, or invite in others from their extended family or community. Buoyed by the questions provided, families are set up to have discussions around books much like those we have in the classroom, and third graders are exposed to various perspectives in a social context.

Many people, adults and kids alike, find comfort and relaxation in “unplugging” and simply spending time together and connecting. A book club can do just that. We are hopeful that our third-grade families will continue to see its benefits and perhaps continue to have book clubs even after third grade.