Topic: Books – The friend of people (Exercise)

This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy. It is part of the Spectator College programme and it is linked to the articles: The loss of small bookstores and The smallest and biggest book.

CONTENT
EXERCISE 1:The loss of small bookstores
EXERCISE 2:The smallest and biggest book
Recommended Usage and Format for exercises

EXERCISE 1 linked to the article:The loss of small bookstores

Lesson Objectives

• Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)

• Practice writing

1. Read article (10 minutes)

• Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.

1. Understanding: (5 minutes)

2. Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.

1. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)

2. Explain the main differences between small bookstores and chain bookstores.

3. What role does the internet play in both small and chain bookstores?

1. Focused Free Write: (10 minutes)

2. Prompt: The marketplace is dominated by larger chain bookstores, but smaller bookstores have more (quality not quantity) to offer. Support or refute this statement using both your personal opinion and most importantly evidence from the article.

1. Discussion (10 minutes)

2. Find similarities and difference in opinions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of small bookstores and larger chain bookstores.

EXERCISE 2 linked to the article:The smallest and biggest book

Lesson Objectives

• Read text and demonstrate understanding (comprehension, analysis, connection, and transfer)

• Practice writing.

1. Read article (5 minutes)

• Underline any words you do not recognize or understand.

1. Understanding: (5 minutes)

2. Have each student share word(s) they don’t know and define them.

1. Summarize/Monitor Understanding (10 minutes)

2. What is the purpose of the Slovak National Library?

1. Focused Free Write: (10 minutes)

2. Prompt: With continued increase in the digitization of information, libraries like the Slovak National Library are in danger of becoming obsolete. Take a position as to whether you believe the Slovak National Library will still be relevant and operating in 2050. Use evidence from the article and your personal opinions and experience to make a case one way or the other.

1. Discussion (10 minutes)

2. Find similarities and difference in opinions regarding the future of libraries.

Recommended Usage and Format for exercises

We believe a discussion-based format is best for achieving the learning objectives. We also believe that using the technique, Writing as Thinking, helps students to formulate their ideas and practice their writing in advance of the discussion. The degree of facilitator and adult involvement will vary according to student background and secondary objectives.

Writing

Be a model by being willing to write along with students and also to share your writing with the class.

Let them know before they start if they will be asked to share their writing out loud.

Here they are writing their first thoughts, so poor spelling, punctuation or conventions are not the focus.

Focus on engaging with ideas.

They do not need to apologize for the quality of their writing.

Discussion

Set expectations for active listening and body language

Engage introverts and extroverts, be mindful of dominant voices

Be mindful of how much you are speaking

Manage time

Encourage students to respond directly to each other, and not through the facilitator, using evidence- I agree with Igor’s point because…

Encourage everyone to draw from evidence in the text to support their points, avoid generalizations

Can you point to a line in the text…

Can you help me to understand…

Could you give an example…

Use techniques to encourage other voices

Let’s hear some other thoughts…

Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t contributed yet...

Techniques for managing time/discussion

Put this in the parking lot and move on…

Let’s pause here…

Parts of the lesson

Focused Free Write- an opportunity for students to write freely, but around a specific prompt.

Reflection- an opportunity to think about the lesson, what they have learned and hopefully how it will help them or how it connects to their life

Underlining words- this strategy is a good habit for students and it also allows them more ownership of their vocabulary.

This exercise is prepared by the Leaf Academy and it is part of the Spectator College, a programme created by The Slovak Spectator.