This week in 5th grade, as promised, the students got to start reading groups!  They chose to read either “Chickadee” by Louise Erdrich or “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’Dell.  On Monday, they met in their groups to decide on how much to read for their first meeting.  Reading groups will start meeting tomorrow and meet roughly twice a week to discuss and analyze their text.  At first, I will be meeting with each group to facilitate a discussion that summarizes the text and touches on important story elements like character development, plot, setting, theme, conflict, symbolism, and foreshadowing.  As the groups continue to meet, we will be learning about how to discuss a book so that eventually the students will be leading their own discussions.  They’re only a few chapters in, and already I’ve heard a lot of excitement about their books!