First meeting

Yesterday was the first day of the BETI Book Club. I am glad that by far most of the members came. The first meeting was run in a way which I would have run it if I were running a Book Club, say in England. I hope by doing that I have answered one of the major questions raised by the members.

At first we talked about whether a book club would work in a middle or high school. Here are some of the main ideas.

1. A number of members have experience in running book clubs at school.
2. A book club with open discussions is very difficult to work in schools.
3. It is very difficult to run it in an academic high school.
4. When choosing a book, the content should not be too mature. Teenagers should be able to relate to it.
5. There are software programs available for schools to rent. One of which was jointly developed by one of the members of the group

Also, there are a few things which I have learned that may help our Club to run better in the future

1. Choose a book that is easier (see books with lexile 780L here) and has bigger words.
2. Host takes more control with the discussion by providing guiding questions
3. Negotiate how how snacks should be brought in.

Did you know? When people eat together they bond better. This is why food is essential in most book clubs. I simply would not join one if they do not have food. I am truly sorry that the institute does not have a budget to provide it :( Thank you very much for the trainee who shared the mandarin with everybody else. Thank you. May be you could just share them with the people in your group next time.

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