The Mouse and the Motorcycle Book Club Plans
In a recent newsletter, I mentioned that I will be leading a small, literacy focused book club for kids ages 6-8 in my area. It officially starts TODAY, and in honor of the big day I am sharing my plans with you! These are big picture plans, without too much detail, but my hope is that you can use them, adapt them, and start your own book club supporting struggling readers in your area.
Like I mentioned, this club was designed for reluctant and struggling early readers. It is focused on making reading FUN. We will be addressing major pre-reading and reading skills week to week, but this is all about embedding those skills in play-based activities, building confidence and comfort around books, and enjoying a read aloud together. It will run for 6 weeks, and we'll finish a chapter book by the last session. My plans include the book we’re reading, a schedule of what chapters we’re reading when, and a list of the activities we’ll be doing week to week. I’ve also included my supply list, and might be sharing my life-sized board game plans in an upcoming newsletter, so if you’re not signed up now is the time!
Another note, I am a practicing speech-language pathologist specializing in literacy, and extra support, screening, and direct instruction are embedded into the sessions of my local book club. Details of that direct support are not included in this outline, nor are they a replacement for individual therapy. As always, these ideas are provided for entertainment purposes, and do not constitute a client/patient relationship or speech or reading diagnosis or intervention. I highly recommend any direct instruction for those with dyslexia or other reading challenges to be executed by a reading professional, and that you seek the guidance of a local professional. If you are a parent or teacher not specializing in teaching kids to read, you can still take these plans and make your own club! Enjoy the book together, do the book related activities, and you’ll still be supporting learning and literacy in a fun and informal way.
The Book: The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary (affiliate link)
The Schedule:
Session 1 (60 min)
Get settled/introductions
Book club expectations (I made a poster for this)
Book introduction and read aloud time (Ch 1 & 2)
Activity: Station Rotations
Legos station - free build
Write/draw station - characters
Teacher Station - getting to know you activity and pre-reading skills screen)
Read aloud time and conclusion (Ch 3 & 4)
Session 2 (60 min)
Get settled, review introductions and expectations
Book review
Read aloud time (Ch 5)
Activity: Prop Building
We will be doing this in a maker’s space style with recyclables. All things built will be related to the book, giving kids a chance to recall and retell the story and practice comprehension in a meaningful way.
Clean up and read aloud time (Ch 6)
Session 3 (60 min)
Get settled
Read aloud time (Ch 7 & 8)
Activity: Book Busters Board Game
A book themed board game I made up, stay tuned for details! I should be sharing a few photos on Instagram and full plans in an upcoming newsletter.
Read aloud time (make up from previous days as needed or Ch 9)
Clean up
Session 4 (60 min)
Get settled
Read aloud time (Ch 9 & half of 10 - stop at first “Oh, dear.”)
Activity: Station Rotations
Legos station - book related build
Write/draw station - setting
Teacher/literacy station
Read aloud time (2nd half of Ch 10 & 11)
Clean up
Session 5 (60 min)
Get settled
Read aloud time (Ch 12)
Activity: Motorcycle Munchies
We will be making a book themed snack! This is another chance for kids to recall and retell the story in a meaningful, multisensory (delicious) way.
Share creations, vote on final activity, clean up
Session 6 (60 min)
Get settled
Read aloud time (Ch 13)
Activity: Station Rotations (OR Book Busters Game 2)
Legos station - book related build
Write/draw station - favorite part of the story
Teacher/literacy station
Clean up, opportunity to share favorite parts of the club, final goodbyes
Supply List:
Poster board (1) and sharpies (used to make the expectations board and board game center).
Legos
The Mouse and the Motorcycle printable coloring sheets
The first session has the setting only for them to color and they will draw in the characters. The next session has characters and they will draw in the setting or most recent events. The last session will be blank and they will draw their favorite part of the story.
Markers
Crayons
Blank paper
Name tag stickers
Prop building day
Recyclables - boxes, paper towel rolls, cardboard pieces
Masking tape
Felt
Foil
Popsicle Sticks
Pom Poms
Book Busters Game
Index cards
Construction paper
Masking tape
Giant Pawn (we will use one of the creations from prop building day)
Giant Dice (also made out of cardboard)
Motorcycle Munchies
Crackers (Ritz)
Graham crackers
Marshmallow fluff
M&Ms
Pretzel sticks
Nutella