Speed Dating With Books

Last week I decided it was time to start a new round of literature circles, but instead of me giving the book talks before kids chose what they wanted to read, I tried an idea I got from someone (maybe Donalyn Miller?).  I told the kids we were going to be doing some speed dating (lots of giggles – it is spring in fifth grade) but with books. There were probably some disappointed kids, but also a few who were no doubt relieved.  Anyway, the gist of speed dating with books is to spend a couple of minutes looking at the cover, reading the back blurb, and then reading as much as you can of the book before the timer goes off. Make a note of your first impression, and then move on to the next book.

I had ten different books set out, and handed out some writing paper for notes.  I set the timer for three minutes, and the reading began. After the timer went off, I encouraged them to give it a rating of some kind (my ESL colleague suggested the standard 5 star rating, which worked really well), and then the kids all moved over one chair. I set the timer again, and the kids started in on the next book.  It was one of the quietest 30 minutes I’ve had recently, and I am pretty sure some kids read more in that 30 minutes than they usually do at school.  When they were all done, I had them rank their first three choices, and then I put them into groups based on their choices.

I would definitely do this again – I think at this point in the year, the kids know themselves as readers well enough to be able to make a decision without my giving the book talk. Some kids still chose books that I am not sure they’ll be able to finish, but for the most part, I kept them with their choices. We’ll see if they are still happy with their choices when they’re done with the book!