The books we're starting with are from the TX blue bonnet list for 2008; that's a list that all 3rd graders are invited to read and vote on their favorite. They are from the read aloud part of the list because reading out loud can make a book more accessible to different ages (even older--my 10 year old will listen to a book he might not take the time to read). I haven't preread them.
Here's where I'm at with the book club. I think we should choose a book every month, an activity that the kids can prepare and present, and an activity to celebrate.
Last month each boy made a visual aid; then we made the solar system out of cakes and candies.
This month each boy (OK, I DO realize that some women have girls, too... (: ) will choose between acting out a scene and writing an alternate ending. Our celebration activity is going to be puppets. For most months I think it may be best to post the book and activity ideas here and let everyone do them on their own; then post pictures. But for this month, comment with either your address or email and the number of children you have, and I'll send you some basic puppet supplies.
I have another month planned after this. I really love this kind of thing, but I know it's fun for others to choose books and activities, too. So I'll post one plan a month. If you have ideas you'd like to use, let Jess or I know so we can work them into the plan too! And if you have pics of what you've done, email them to Jess or I, and we'll add them in the second post (so 2 posts a month-one to announce plans and one to show how it went).
We sculpted mice ( small mice with large ears, open eyes, and needle with red thread (: )from play do, played tic tac to where the kids answered questions about the book before placing a royal cup or spoon, made woven hearts (like the hearts shaded with darkness and dappled with light in the books), followed red thread to light sticks (like coming from the dungeon to find the light), and had red vine treats. The kids presented pictures of their favorite scenes or poems about characters in the story.
