Run a Book Talk, A Discussion Leader Guide

Send Novel Talk at Home home early in a novel unit. Use Run a Book Talk before literature circles so each student can take a turn as discussion leader.

Plan a book talk on Helen Keller's Chapter VI with an open question, a connecting question and a summary. The directions on the page read: Read this passage from Chapter VI of The Story of My Life by Helen Keller. You will plan a book talk about it on page 2. An answer key is included.

Yes, both. We made it for 8th grade novel studies, and it works the same at home or at school. At home, a student can work through it alone and then go over it with you, which shows quickly what is solid and what needs another look. In class it works as independent practice, homework or a warm-up, and you can print one copy or a full set.

Novel Talk at Home lists nine questions, from what the title makes you expect to how the narrator shapes what you learn. Students try them on a short Kidnapped passage and write down the answers of the person they talked with.

Run a Book Talk explains four tools: an open question, a connecting question, qualifying a view and a closing summary. Students plan one of each, plus text evidence to share, for a passage from The Story of My Life.

An open question has more than one reasonable answer, so it starts a real discussion instead of a quick reply. The discussion leader guide pairs it with a connecting question that links two classmates' ideas.