https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/d605e37b-8d72-41e6-8de5-876492ca7921
Next Vista
Middle School Book Buffet
Overview
This is a resource for middle school teachers/librarians to use to give students a sampling of a variety of different types of books.
Select a Great Book from Our Book Buffet
What does every middle school student fear? Boring books!
What should every middle school student have to do? Read great books!
Let's work together to help ensure that selecting a great book is not only painless.......but can be pretty darn fun.
Learning Goals:
The middle school student will sample a variety of genres in the book buffet activity.
The middle school student will come away with at least one book they want to check out.
Steps to complete the goals:
1. Watch "The Book" from Next Vista. (A video done by students from the perspective of a book.)
2. Discussion of the differnet types of genres/types of books highlighted in this particular book buffet (Can change depending on student interest, but this one has mysteries, fantasy, realistic fiction, science fiction, non-fiction and award winning books).
3. Give each student a plate and tell them which table to go to first.
3. Go to the area where the tables have been set up before the students arrived. Each table will have 1 genre/book type. There should be more books on the table than students to ensure student choice. Students should be evenly divided amongst the 6 tables. They will rotate to ensure they get to visit and sample books at each table. They move as a group, though it is not really a group activity. Group students so they can successfully navigate each table.
4. Depending on the time in the class, students can spend from 5 - 8 minutes at each table. After finding their first table, allow a minute of discussion and exploration. Then students will read silently. If they are not enjoying their selection, they can change books at the same table. They should write down the name of at least one title at the table they may be interested in reading after the activity. After the alloted time, the teacher or librarian calls time and instructs the students where to rotate to next.
5. The same format is followed at each table during each rotation - allow students to talk during the rotation time and when selecting books. After that time, the teacher/librarian keeps track of time and announces the rotation time and where to go. If students are engaging enough, the teacher/librarian can join different groups and read as well. Keep going until the students have visited each table.
6. Assessment - Students will check out a book they discovered during the book buffet.