Reading Lesson Plans & Comprehension - Booktalks

Booktalks

"My class has a 'Booktalk' once a month to share their favorite pieces of writing and to increase the interest level of reading good pieces of literature.

The Booktalks are very informal. The children sit in a circle and bring a copy of their favorite book. In just a few minutes, they share the author and illustrator, their favorite part of the book, the book's category (fiction, non-fiction, mystery, etc.) and whom they think would like to read this type of book. Lastly, each child makes a visual such as a 3-D model or a poster to retell one of the events of the story. The children love listening to one another and I have noticed that they often read the books that are recommended."
Submitted by: Dana Salamone salamoned@email-removed , a fourth grade teacher at Perry Elementary School in Perry, Ohio. This idea was posted in the NEA's Weekly Works4Me Newsletter.