Book Talk Circle

Hi friends!

I saw something super in our school library today!

After all of her students checked out their books, this third grade teacher circled up her students. She asked them to go around the circle, taking turns talking about the books they’d chosen.

Book Review Circle

Although I had to block their faces for privacy, I hope you can see that they are all completely engaged here. They are all alert and focused on the group discussion, listening respectfully.

This smart teacher asked questions like this:

  • Why did you choose this book?
  • Is it fiction or non-fiction?
  • Have you read other books in the series?
  • Has anyone else read this book?
  • Can you read us what it says on the back cover?

As librarians, we know how incredibly POWERFUL peer book recommendations are. What a smart, simple way to make it happen!

(On a side note, I want to make sure that our library has flexible spaces for collaborative learning that happens on the spur of the moment. I love opportunities like this!!!)

Have you tried this in your school library?

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    3 Comments

    1. I love this idea, so quick and easy. I am a middle school librarian struggling to get my students to read. I’m going to try with 6th graders tomorrow.

    2. Thanks for sharing this great idea. I set up the chairs in my elementary library in a circle, and did this after class book checkouts last week. Students really enjoyed telling why they chose their book, and I like to think it led to more thoughtful book choices–I told them in advance we would be doing this. Peer recommendations are often more powerful than “staff picks.”

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