ERIC Number: EJ1171691
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2154-6282
EISSN: N/A
Book Clubs: Conversations Inspiring Community
Petrich, Nathaniel R.
i.e.: inquiry in education, v7 n1 Article 4 2015
There are many motivators for students in their learning experiences, yet few compare to the desire to build relationships. Through book clubs, students had opportunities to strengthen their learning and strengthen their relationships. The purpose of this qualitative research project was to describe the impact of voluntary book clubs on 5th grade voluntary participants. Data was triangulated from the teacher from informal conversations throughout each week, monthly conferences between the teacher and book club members, and the teacher's journal. The findings included: (1) informal conversations within the classroom aesthetically motivated students to join book clubs; (2) book clubs were sustained through a deepened analysis and understanding; (3) the social-emotional learning encouraged students to be engaged in their reading and engaged in their peers' lives; and (4) through the celebrations and struggles within their conversations, students were inspired to be self-motivated in their individual thinking within communities of diverse perspectives. Limitations included the complexity and flexibility required to schedule a consistent time each week for all students in the book clubs to meet, the length of the study, and number of participants. Further research could explore different types and structures of book clubs.
Descriptors: Books, Clubs, Grade 5, Elementary School Students, Journal Writing, Social Development, Emotional Development, Peer Relationship, Reading Habits, Interpersonal Communication, Student Participation, Communities of Practice, Student Attitudes, Accountability, Group Discussion, Qualitative Research
Center for Practitioner Research at National Louis University. 122 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603. Tel: 800-443-5522 x2277; e-mail: digitalcommons@nl.edu; Web site: https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/ie/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 5
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Dakota
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A