Student Book Club Gets Kids Reading
The PTO-sponsored school book club has students excited about reading new things.
A growing number of students at Robertsville Elementary are becoming fervent readers, but there’s no mystery to this story. Since the Student Book Club was launched in fall 2010, you’d be hard-pressed to find a member willing to unlock his grip on the latest group read. Yes, these students and their texting and gaming thumbs are putting down the electronic devices and choosing instead more intellectual pursuits.
The idea for the novel club at Robertsville was conceived by PTO president Terri Weiss, who had previously participated in a mother-son book club. “We both enjoyed the experience,” she says. “As I began my first year as PTO president, I wanted to bring something special to the table that I felt would support our mission, yet be a gift that remains long after my term expired.”
Sharing the thrill of a book club with Robertsville’s 2nd through 5th graders enables Weiss to give back to the school and to give students a boost, as well. “The more a child reads and discusses what he has read, the better the chances of improving test scores and developing a love of reading and learning,” Weiss explains.
The club runs in a structured but casual environment. Students are grouped by grades, each with its own lead teacher and book selection; younger grades may have a few teachers involved. Club meetings are held monthly in the library from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., typically five or six times per year. Volunteers help with taking attendance, dismissing students to parents, and contributing to the book discussion. Teacher-led conversation prompts range from “Who was your favorite character and why?” to “Which character would you like to invite to a sleepover at your house?” Last year, students devoured Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson, and 11 Birthdays, by Wendy Mass.
“This year, with the younger age, we added the first of the Geronimo Stilton series and it was a hit!” Weiss adds.
The PTO promotes the book club program by sending flyers (and a request for volunteers) to families in September. Out of the school’s 550 students, the current club roster boasts 56 members, each of whom looks forward to receiving a new book to keep every month. The PTO uses its book fair profits (roughly $500 cash) to purchase a variety of books, all recommended by teachers beforehand.
“The PTO tends to select some alternatives, but we work with the teachers to avoid overlapping the curriculum and confirming appropriateness for the reading level,” Weiss explains.
Feedback from parents has been tremendous. Weiss says parents stop her on the soccer field and baseball field and at the supermarket to tell her that their children are enjoying the club and reading independently, often for the first time. It appears the PTO has produced a best seller of its own for this school community.
Robertsville Elementary PTO
Morganville, N.J.
550 students, grades 1-5
$30,000 annual budget
Student Book Club
An extracurricular club that meets almost every month, in which student members discuss specific books they have been reading outside of school
On the same page: “It’s important to get teachers and volunteers engaged before you promote the program,” advises PTO president Terri Weiss. “You need facilitators to run the event and their feedback on book selections so that it complements the curriculum appropriately.”
Open dialogue: Weiss says to be sure that you plan out how many meetings you will have and communicate that commitment to your teachers, volunteers, and students. Students have requested to meet more frequently, but, says Weiss, “Many books are long enough that they may need the whole month to fit it into their schedules.”
Other booking arrangements: Outside of the book club, a team of 16 parent volunteers have also signed on as library helpers at Robertsville to help check in and reshelve books throughout the year. This service has been especially invaluable since the school’s library aide position was cut from the budget, Weiss says.
Interested in running your own reading event? Our free Family Reading Night kit has everything you need to hold a great event, including planning tips, theme and snack ideas, and creative activities.
