Bravery Book Club
Through a Critical Literacy Lens
Why Bravery?
Character Education is an important topic in our schools and works best when integrated throughout the curriculum. Book clubs can be an inroad into character education. Another bonus is by providing a broad theme, such as bravery, our students can examine a variety of world issues, and we can provide them with a range of book choices resulting, hopefully, in engagement in reading and their chosen topic.
Fiction has many purposes, but developing empathy by providing windows into the lives of others or acknowledging the self by giving our students mirrors to see themselves reflected back are two of the most important. Compound this with the accountable talk and the reduction of stigma or a deeper understanding of various issues could ensue.
We need to provide a wide range of books to appeal to all students, and when we introduce the books make sure we showcase the accessibility of the books for our students. Are they character-based versus plot-based books? What is the font-size? How much white space is there? Are audio options available? How will multiple narrators, time jumps and dialect impact students?
Make sure our students have the best chance of choosing a book they want to and can read in the timeline we provide!
Body Image, Beauty Pageants
War, Child Soldiers
Belonging, Poverty, Family
School Shootings, Friendship
Dyslexia, Stigma, Strengths
Resources, Child Labour
In space. Underground. And out of time.