We are going to form book clubs in class every grading period. In the book clubs, you will be responsible for the following items:

 

1. You will form groups of three or four people.

 

2. As a group you will select one book to read for the six weeks. You can select a book from the list i gave you or you can select one on your own, but the book must have my approved. Everyone must have the book in class every day.

 

3. You will read every day in class for the first ten minutes. You will recieve points for reading each day.

 

4. On Friday of each week, we will have oue book club meetings. During the meetings the groups will complete the following items:

 

A. The groups will discuss the topic for the week. I will provide you with the topic. The discussions will be about 15 minutes in length.

 

B. Since it is important that all members be in the same place in the book you will need to decide each week the amount of pages that you will read for the next week.

 

C. Each member of the group will be responsible for writing about the topic in their book club journal. As you read, you should write down questions and thoughts about your book or your book club journal.

 

D. You will recieve points for participating in the discussions and for completing the writing assignments.

 

E. The groups will be required to complete informal and formal presentations on the discussion and writing topics.

 

Book Club Discussion Topics

 

Please keep this paper because you will need it throughout the year.

 

Below are the topics for the book club discussions each Friday. I have also provided questions that you should discuss for each topic.

 

Week 1 : Discuss the setting.

              1. What is the setting in place and time?

              2. How does the author create the setting?

              3. Is the setting important? If so, what is its function in the story.

 

Week 2 : Discuss the characters.

              1. Who are the characters and what are their roles in the story?

              2. Describe some of the characters' personalities and their relationship to the

              other characters.

              3. Are the characters interesting? Why or why not?

 

Week 3 : Discuss the plot.

              1. Describe an important event in the plot.

              2. What is the main conflict in the plot?

 

Week 4 : Discuss the significance of symbols and allusions in the novel.

 

Week 5 : Discuss the theme.

              1. What is the theme or themes?

              2. Discuss the elements or events in the novel that help to create the theme

              or themes.

 

Week 6 : Discuss your overall reaction to the novel.

              1. Did you like the novel? Why or why not? Provide specific reasons for your

              opinion.