USING JIM’s
BOOK IN A BOOK CLUB?
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To order the book at discount for book clubs, please contact us directly at the address(es) below.
If you would like to interview Jim
Burgett, he
is available at jburgett@highland.k12.il.us;
(618) 654-5874, or at
We were asked so often about how teachers
might use Teachers Change
Lives 24/7 in a book club, we asked Jim how it could
be best used. He was flattered, and replied:
“Teachers
Change Lives 24/7 is a perfect
book for a structured book study. Here is a suggested format that is simple and
yet very productive.
Plan
on 13 sessions, each approximately 45-60 minutes in length. Set a starting time
and an absolute ending time. If the study is held after school, you might start
at 3:30 and end no later than 4:30, if not earlier. Teachers like a firm and
concise schedule.
Make
the study meaningful. Assign certain teachers to be involved at different
dates, rotating involvment fairly. It always helps to have some snack available
at the beginning, and if the group is willing and able, maybe this can be
something participants can provide. However, stress that the snacks should not
be so involved as to take time from the study (serving hot food, dishing up ice
cream, etc.)
Use a
standard format for the study. Here is an example of one that works.
A
designated participant opens with a brief overview of the selected chapter. Then
another participant (designated or open) shares one item in the text of the
chapter that was most informative or useful to them and explains why. After
this, a third participant (designated or open) shares one “tip” from the end of
the chapter that can be implemented, fits the school, or was especially
meaningful to them, and gives some details.
If
time permits, use the following questions to steer the rest of the study:
How does this chapter
relate to our school or your classroom?
Has
anyone had similar experiences or concerns as outlined in the chapter?
Which
of the ideas suggested could most easily be implemented here?
How
did this chapter change or validify your teaching?
I
would start this study with a quick review of chapter 1, then use chapter 2 as
the topic for study. The next 11 sessions would cover chapter 3-13. The final
session would be a summary of the book and would focus on highlights. The
format would be different since the final chapter is more motivational than
operational.”
Might we add: Another way to capstone the
value of this book is to invite the author to come and speak to the teachers. His
“live” version of the stories and topics receives rave reviews everywhere (see
them at testimonials).
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