The FIRST Book Club Why? Einstein said that “imagination is more important than knowledge.” Through imagination we can predict, pretend, or propose – critical elements of problem solving. Fiction is an essential element of students’ lives – it offers much more than an entertaining vehicle to develop reading skills. Oatley (2008a) likens fiction to computer-generated simulations, allowing the reader to create mental models of situations and their possible outcomes, and possibly develop better strategies and skills to deal with them. “Frequent reading of literary fiction can facilitate the development of selfhood ... fictions are typically simulations of the social world, therefore, people who spend time reading them will become more socially skilled than people who read non-fiction.” Oatley (2008b). Author and Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen states, “Literature …supports and challenges readers…in their views of themselves, whether it’s in their families, friendship or cultural groups or social class. It offers glimpses of human behaviour beyond those available or known to the reader. Only when all children are in a book-loving environment will they achieve literacy, yes, but a lot more: a confidence in handling abstract ideas, an understanding of a multiplicity of viewpoint and the complexity and diversity of human interaction that comes through reading widely and often.” (2008). By reflecting on what they have read through discussion with others students are more likely to be able to develop those understandings that Oatley and Rosen refer to. Establishing The FIRST Book Club will
enable students to connect with other students beyond their immediate circle so they can share their reading and recommendations encourage students to consider a wider range of perspectives and opinions provide a forum for students in isolated circumstances to connect with others of the same age help teachers and teacher librarians meet the requirement of the English strand of the Australian National Curriculum
Who? Initially the target group is the Year 5/6 cohort in Australian schools, although other students may contribute. Participants will have to create an account through the website to participate and memberships will need to be approved. Membership can be by an individual or by a teacher or teacher librarian on behalf of a group of students. Leadership is provided by three qualified, experienced teacher librarians – Lyndy Cracknell, Sue Warren and Barbara Braxton. Between them, they have more than a century of experience in a variety of schools in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory. Contact us at Barbara Braxton barbara.288@bigpond.com Sue Warren losangzopa@gmail.com
What? This book club will differ from others in that it will focus on each student’s choice of literature, rather than a one-size-fits-all where all are required to read the same text. On the first of each month, a question, based on the outcomes of the English strand of the Australian National Curriculum for Years 5 and 6, will be posted on the forum. Participants will be invited to respond to that question using a text of their choice.
How? 1. Before students create an account, it is suggested that teachers discuss how to protect their digital footprint by keeping private information private. Students should create a username based on their first name and an initial and the region they are from upload an avatar that is not a personal photo only communicate with each other through the forum 2. The key rule of the book club is to treat each other with dignity and respect so only comments which adhere to that will be posted. 3. When responding to a question, students need to include the title and author of the text to which they are referring. 4. Because what we make available online is a reflection of who we are, posts should be checked to ensure the meaning is clear the tone is respectful, even when disagreeing with someone else’s opinion spelling, grammar and punctuation are correct
Where? The FIRST Book Club is online at http://www.bookclubit.com/bookclub/default.aspx?id=700 or go to http://www.bookclubit.com/default.aspx and search for the club’s name. (Click the Book Club tab.)
Want more? If you need any more information or have any suggestions as to how this could be made better for students and teachers, please contact Barbara Braxton barbara.288@bigpond.com Barbara Braxton Teacher Librarian M.Ed. (TL); M.App.Sci. (TL); M.I.S. (Children's Services) Cooma, NSW, 2630 AUSTRALIA References Oatley, K. (2008a). The science of fiction. New Scientist, 2662, 42-43. Oatley, K. (2008b). The mind's flight simulator. The Psychologist, 21, 1030-1032. Rosen, M. (2008, August 21). ‘SATS literally failing’, The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/21/earlyyearseducation.sat s