Elementary Library

materials they may not have chosen just perusing the shelves. It is a great way to increase circulation and teach new concepts, such as genre. Review and prepare the Book Tasting Room materials in advance. Only include the listed genres under resources. Biography, poetry, and traditional literature are not genres, but you may want to save the signs for later lessons. You may prepare more than one table of genres to accommodate for large classes if necessary. You may choose to do half of genres one week, and the other half the next.

Plan student groups and the rotation between genre tables in advance. Make note of which tables students end at to know where to assign them the next week so that they see every genre.

Placemats in the kit are not necessary, but may add a fun element to the room transformation. You can decorate as much or as little as you prefer. WELCOME & ACTIVATE BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE Greet students warmly at the library door and welcome them to the Reading Cafe. Explain that the library has been transformed and that our lesson will look a little different. Invite them into the cafe and follow the reservation sheet to assign them to their tables. Instruct students to wait patiently and not touch until all instructions have been given. OBJECTIVE Display objectives. Say: Our goal today is to become familiar with the genres of fiction in our library. What is genre? [Allow responses] Genre is a category for stories based on content, themes, characters, and plots. 3rd-4th grade: You will need to be able to identify a book’s genre by the end of library today. 5th grade: You will need to be able to identify a book’s genre, and describe that genre by the end of library today. DIRECT INSTRUCTION & PRACTICE Step 1: Genre Direct Instruction Showcase 5-6 genres. Instruct students with the definition and show a few examples. Step 2: Book Tasting Instruction Show students the menu and explain how to fill it out. If using a trifold, have the students fold it. Instruct them to spend minutes with a book and thoroughly explore the book to figure out its genre and if they would be interested in reading it in the future. Pass out menus, most wanted slips, and pencils. Step 3: Book Tasting Rotations Each group should be at a table for approximately 5 minutes, with 5 rotations. During those 5 minutes students should thoroughly explore a book and answer the questions on the menu. Not every student will see each genre and that is okay. The remaining 5 minutes will be taken up by transitions and closing. Review “I can'' statements and ask students for thumbs up or thumbs down if they think they mastered today’s learning. 3rd/4th: Hold up a few example books and ask students to identify their genres (have a list of genres on the board). Ask them to explain their thinking. 5th grade - Ask students to further describe the stated genre and use examples.

Dismiss for circulation. Encourage students to borrow books on their most wanted lists.

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