Book Studies

By Anna Redding EDLE5005, Spring 2016Book Studies

ObjectivesWhat is a Book Study?How to conduct a Book Study groupExamples of successful Book Studies

What is a Book Study?A form of individually guided professional developmentParticipants read the same book and then discuss its contents togetherTopics provide insight about an area of professional interestPromotes conversations among teachers and other school personnel

Conducting a Book StudyThe Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation (2005) suggests a five-step process for how to conduct a book study group.

Form a Book Study GroupChoose a Book and an ObjectiveDecide How to Read the BookRead and Discuss the BookEvaluate the Book and Plan for Future Book Study

Form a Book Study GroupThe first step in creating a Book Study group is to form the group.Groups can be formed by all members of the faculty, by grade levels, or by the interest of a topicPrincipal or teacher may lead and facilitate the book study meetingsDetermine the location for meetings and the time of day when the meeting will occur.

Conducting a Book StudyThe Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation (2005) suggests a five-step process for how to conduct a book study group.

Form a Book Study GroupChoose a Book and an ObjectiveDecide How to Read the BookRead and Discuss the BookEvaluate the Book and Plan for Future Book Study

Choose a Book and an ObjectiveThe book and objective must be chosen to determine the purpose for reading the book.

Some teachers decide on the book together.

Some administration decides the book for the teachers to maintain uniformity throughout the school

Conducting a Book StudyThe Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation (2005) suggests a five-step process for how to conduct a book study group.

Form a Book Study GroupChoose a Book and an ObjectiveDecide How to Read the BookRead and Discuss the BookEvaluate the Book and Plan for Future Book Study

Decide How to Read the BookLeaders of the study must help decide how the book will be read

Possible options include: chapter, grade level, or other small groups

Determine how frequently the group will meet

Conducting a Book StudyThe Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation (2005) suggests a five-step process for how to conduct a book study group.

Form a Book Study GroupChoose a Book and an ObjectiveDecide How to Read the BookRead and Discuss the BookEvaluate the Book and Plan for Future Book Study

Read and Discuss the BookOnce the book has been read, discussion and analysis of the book needs to occur.

Discuss how the book relates to the classroom and teaching practices

Good conversations should come out of the discussions.

Good conversation demands good content, resists the bounds of definition, is voluntary, happens on common ground, requires safety, trust, & care, develops with time, and has a future11Conducting a Book StudyThe Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation (2005) suggests a five-step process for how to conduct a book study group.

Form a Book Study GroupChoose a Book and an ObjectiveDecide How to Read the BookRead and Discuss the BookEvaluate the Book and Plan for Future Book Study

Evaluation and Future PlanQuestions to ask once the book study has completed: So what do we do with the information we have learned from the book?Now what do we do? or How do we go about implementing the changes?Who else can benefit from this book?

Examples of Successful Book StudiesCreekland Middle SchoolLargest middle school in Georgia290 faculty and staffBook study groups consist of 6 to 10 membersBook studies are voluntaryParticipants share books with other teachers to form their own book studyMany groups meet to find support for their diverse campus

Examples of Successful Book StudiesBarbara Bush Elementary School (K-4)Located in The Woodlands, TX75 faculty and staffBook study groups consists of the entire facultyTwo book studies a year are mandatory Topics are chosen based on school wide theme or district initiativeLeaders for the book study vary

Suggested BooksTeach Me, I Dare You! by J.A. Brough, S. Bergmann, & L.C. Holt

Conscious Classroom Manangement: Unlocking the Secrets of Great Teaching by R. Smith

Making Differentiation a Habit by Diane Heacox

Teach Me motivate students16