Collect, Debate, and Synthesize Evidence using Non-Fiction Book Clubs

Sometimes I want to pour knowledge into my students' heads to prepare evidence for the argument question.  I want students to synthesize ideas from multiple perspectives in discussions and written arguments.  Non-fiction book clubs help students learn new information and discuss ideas with others.  Students read a book of choice and meet topically in non-fiction book clubs.  Some clubs read the same book and discuss, while others read different books and discuss the ideas in the various books. All students learn the ideas in culminating seminars.

The process:

           1)    Brainstorm a list of topics of interest for the clubs with the class.

Some of the topics students have featured in past clubs: 

Language and Writing, Education, The Internet and Social Relations, Crime, Mental Illness, Disasters, Political Philosophy, Psychology, Communication, Ethics, Science, Technology, etc.

In addition, pull non-fiction books from the shelves of your library and have students speed date the books in order to find a topic of interest for the the project.

          2)  Select a topic and a book.
          3)  Read the book in three-four weeks.

          4)  Collect significant quotes for argument essay evidence on Scholar Cards[1]

          5)    Meet weekly in book clubs. Students share quotes, issues, or ideas from reading.

          6)  Prepare a seminar on the topic after the books are read.  
          Student seminar preparation includes:

                a. Finding an article, Ted Talk,  or excerpt(s) from books to assign to the class. 

                b. Writing brief summaries of the arguments and ideas for the books read.

                c. Constructing thoughtful seminar questions that address key ideas and arguments. 

                d. Assigning roles to group members:  seminar leader, question leaders, & scribe.
                    The scribe summarizes the ideas from the discussion on a shared google doc.

7)  Conduct the class seminar on the topic and upload the summary to the shared google doc.

Students have paired Ghettoside with In Cold Blood, focused on introverts in a Quiet group, and considered various education issues in The Overachievers, I am Malala, and Waiting for Superman. Students use the ideas as evidence in their argument essays and it increases their bank of information for the exam.  Many students come back from the exam stating that their book club discussion made good evidence to support their arguments.  With time running close to the exam, this can be modified to a Non-fiction Article/Ted Talk Club.   I am curious to know what book or article pairings you have used in your classroom.  Please add your pairings or a non-fiction selfie to the comments below.

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[1] Scholar Pack strategy attributed to Dan Sharkovitz at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School.  Student sample cached at www.mvrhs.org/englishdept/shark/Powerpoints/Phoebe%20scholar%20pack%20.ppt