Jonathan West TUTORING
writing and reading lessons and classes
Art of Sciences Book Club
The book club is currently on hold. Watch here for updates.
PURPOSE | To keep Art of Sciences summer camp students connected To encourage kids to read |
GRADE LEVELS | 1. grades 6-7 2. grades 8-12 |
CLASS SIZE | 20 |
Format | 1-hour discussion |
Schedule | 1 discussion per month currently on hold |
Location | Zoom |
Cost | $20 per discussion (register for whichever ones you want) |
Payment | PayPal, westtutoring1@gmail.com (use the goods and services option) Zelle, 507-923-6547 Venmo: jonathanwest1 Check Ask about other options |
Registration | A link will appear here when registration is open. Registration is separate for each month's discussion. Make sure you are registering for the class and not a service. See the Class FAQ for help or download these instructions. |
Content
I choose books that are
- interesting to read
- able to expand students' worldviews
- age appropriate
- less likely to have been read already
See previous book club selections.
| Date | Grades 6-7 | Grades 8-12 |
|---|---|---|
| November 2022 | India is now independent, and Nisha's family must navigate Hindu-Muslim tensions as they leave the newly formed Pakistan. | This novel provides insights into the experiences of Japanese Americans during the internment camps in World War II. |
How It Works
Books are carefully chosen according to certain criteria (see "content" above) a month, or possibly more than a month, in advance.
Parents purchase the books.
Students read the book before the discussion on that book. For example, the book listed under July will be discussed in the July meeting, and students will read that book in preparation for the July meeting.
Students take a short quiz on the book before the discussion so that they get some sense of their overall comprehension. The quiz is published about a week before the discussion. Students can complete the quiz any time before the discussion.
At some point before the discussion, students will receive meeting access information.
Students come to the meeting they have previously chosen (with enough registered students, another discussion time will be provided).
Frequently Asked Questions
How should students prepare for the discussion?
Read the book ahead of time. No need to take extensive notes. Just be prepared to discuss. A short comprehension quiz will be available about a week before the discussion.
Is camp attendance required for participation?
No.
What factors are considered in age appropriateness?
I primarily consider violence, sexual content, profanity, and alcohol and drug use. Information about these factors can be found for most of my selections at Common Sense Media.
When is payment due?
Before the discussion.
When will book selections be available?
It takes time to find books that fit the criteria. Around the time of each discussion, I announce the next month's book.
When will I get the Zoom link?
An email will be sent to registrants with instructions.
Why is there more than one discussion option per group each month?
When enough students register, I open another option. This limits the number of students per discussion to encourage more interaction. Pick the option that works best for you.