Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Many of you undoubtedly already belong to a book club with friends or neighbors. Why
notconsider one with your colleagues? Using book clubs as part of professional development
allowsteachers to interact with one another, to hear different perspectives, and to become a
communityof learners.Those who have started professional, teacher-oriented book clubs have
reported that the book club:
created a forum for exploring new teaching ideas or addressing perceived (or unperceived)
problems and concerns
helped teachers make a connection between theory and practice through the sharing of real
world classroom experiences inspired by the reading
gave a voice to people in the department who otherwise felt they didn't have a voice
Helpful Tips for Your Book Club
Establish a format.
Find what works for everyone and stick with it. Some ideas:
Some clubs have one member who enjoys leading all discussions, while others prefer to rotate so
everyone gets an opportunity to lead.
Take turns going around the room, allowing each member to talk about his or her experience
reading the book.
Assign different sections or chapters of book to small groups to read and presentto the larger
group.
ful Tips for Your Book Club
Establish a format.
Find what works for everyone and stick with it. Some ideas:
Some clubs have one member who enjoys leading all discussions, while others prefer to rotate so
everyone gets an opportunity to lead.
Take turns going around the room, allowing each member to talk about his or her experience
reading the book.
Assign different sections or chapters of book to small groups to read and presentto the larger
group.
If your group has a single designated leader, he or she may choose the books.
Do the issues
affect your professional life?
How so?
What
evidence
does the author give to support the book's ideas? Does he/she use personalobservations and
assessments? Facts? Statistics? Opinions? Historical documents?Scientific research? Quotations
from authorities?
Is the evidence
convincing?
Is it relevant or logical? Does it come from authoritativesources? (Is the author an authority?) Is
the evidence speculative...how speculative?
draw implications
for the future? Are there long- or short-term consequences to the problems or issues raised in the
book?
Did you
learn something new
reading this book? Did it broaden your perspective about adifficult issue?