Season's Readings! It's cold and stormy here, and I can't wait to take my insulated mug of tea and climb under a fluffy blanket with my new book, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. My book club will be discussing it next week, and I am hoping that it will transport me away from the memories of the book I finished just this morning. I haven't stopped longing for the fantasy world inside that last one.
My mind is wandering back to all the read-aloud, class novels, and lit circle (book club) books that have filled my teaching life for so many years. When I open a copy of Tuck Everlasting or Gifts From the Sea, I am immediately transported back, not only to the world of the story, but also to my painted rocking chair and the engaged and precious faces in front of me. We felt all the feels together, and made some precious reading memories.
Everyone must have at least one book or story that never gets old, and is a different pleasurable experience every time it is reread. When I was ten years old, my little brother was an insatiable fan of Dr. Seuss. To this day, I can still recite Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat by heart. As soon as the book ended, my brother would joyfully shout, "Again!" I won't tell you how many times I've reread Second Star to the Right. Ok, ok, at least 12 times. Maybe more. Really, do you ever tire of visiting Disney Land or World? The familiar feels like home, and there is always something new that you may have missed or forgotten. My copy of The Velveteen Rabbit is worn and loved as much as the tattered main character. The images of the rooms in the ancient rooming house of Second Star to the Right can be called up at will, especially the top floor. (You'll just have to read it. I hear you have a little vacation time just ahead. Since there's more than one book with this title, here is a link:
My classroom application of all this reminiscing would be to have a "sweet memories" book club. (Create your own title if that's a little too sugary for you.) Ask your students to write on a ballot the titles of three or five or whatever number of books that they would love to reread and discuss in a book club with classmates. Tally the ballots and put a few groups together. I can't imagine a more delicious lit experience than this! My head is literally spinning with the idea of discussing my all-time fav (above) with others who have read and loved it!
If you decide to have a sweet memories book club experience, please please please comment below or email me and I'll enter you in a drawing for a $10 TpT gift card! I would love to hear all about how it went!
For resources to help you make this happen in your classroom, try these resources from Rainbow City Learning!
Wishing you and your students Season's Readings, and a sweet holiday season!
For more December thoughts and tips, be sure to check out the posts of my blogging friends.
