Book+Study


 * __ Book Study: For Analysis and Discussion __**


 * 1) Title and author of book, publisher, year published, number of pages
 * 2) Genre of book (//e.g//., fiction, nonfiction, biography, short stories)
 * 3) Time and setting of novel (//e.g//., contemporary, Vietnam War, the 1970’s, etc.) How does it contrast to the world we know? Does the author make us feel as if we are part of the setting? Can we picture the book’s setting if we close our eyes?
 * 4) Give a sense of the plot and explore the issues the book raises. What theme(s) is/are revealed, and how are they revealed? Are they given superficial or profound treatment? How has the author dealt with “edgy” (sensitive or dicey) topics? Has the author realized his purpose? Give evidence or support to substantiate opinions. What possibilities does the book suggest?
 * 5) Does the author make us believe in the characters as people? Why or why not? Would the author be successful in making students believe in the characters as people? Does the author attempt to get at the characters’ motives? Think about whether we like the characters and about how liking them or disliking them makes us feel about the book. What are some examples of things the characters have said or done to give a sense of their personalities?
 * 6) Does the novel enhance vocabulary development? Can it serve as a springboard to good class discussion and writing? What standards/eligible content/literacy strategies could be addressed through the teaching of this novel?
 * 7) Would you recommend this book for a content area classroom? Which? What grade/ability level? What is the benefit of adding this book to the curriculum? How do you think students would react to this book?
 * 8) If you don’t recommend the book, tell why (//e.g//., profanity, too explicit, violence, etc.).

Resources: Annenberg Institute. (2005). Professional learning communities: Professional development strategies that improve instruction. Providence, RI: Brown University. [].

Collins, D. (1997). //Achieving your vision of professional development//. Tallahassee, FL: The Regional Educational Laboratory at SERVE. @http://www.serve.org/publications/htayv.htm.

Corcoran, T. (1995, June). Helping teachers teach well: Transforming professional development. //CPRE Policy Briefs//. Rutgers, NJ: Consortium for Policy Research in Education, 69-79. @http://www.cpre.org/Publications/rb16.pdf.

DuFour, R. & Eaker, R. (1998). //Professional learning communities at work: Best practices for enhancing student achievement//. Bloomington, IN: National Educational Service and Alexandria, VA: Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Hord, S. (1997). //Professional learning communities: Communities of continuous inquiry and improvement//. Austin, TX: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, 18-19.  @http://www.sedl.org/pubs/change34/.