How I Use ChatGPT, TeachingBooks, and My Librarian Expertise to Create Book Club Discussion Questions

How I Use ChatGPT, TeachingBooks, and My Librarian Expertise to Create Book Club Discussion Questions

As a librarian with over three decades of experience, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is fostering a love of reading in students and guiding them through enriching book discussions. Book clubs at my school are an opportunity to expose students to new genres, authors, and ideas that they might not otherwise encounter. I rely on various tools and resources, including TeachingBooks, ChatGPT, and my expertise to make these discussions engaging and thought-provoking. Starfish by Lisa Fipps on TeachingBooks

Using TeachingBooks as a Resource Hub

One of my go-to resources for preparing book discussions is TeachingBooks. This incredible platform collects a wide range of resources about books for K-12 education students, and it’s especially invaluable for me as a librarian. TeachingBooks provides everything from author interviews and video trailers to discussion questions and lesson plans, which can enhance book club discussions. For example, TeachingBooks offers author readings, which I use as a "kickoff" for each book. When students are just beginning to read a book, hearing the author read the first chapters in their own voice is powerful. It sets the tone for the reading experience and allows students to connect with the author personally. A perfect example of this is *Starfish* by Lisa Fipps. The author’s reading of the opening poems and her brief introduction explaining why she wrote the book helps students immediately immerse themselves in the story. Additionally, TeachingBooks provides a Book Resume—a collection of professional reviews, guides, and resources for each book. This tool is invaluable, especially when addressing concerns from parents or others who may question a book's suitability for the classroom. With a wide range of perspectives and professional credentials, TeachingBooks gives me the confidence to incorporate diverse books into my book clubs.

Harnessing the Power of ChatGPT for Tailored Discussion Questions

Once I have gathered the resources from TeachingBooks, I turn to ChatGPT to help me craft specific discussion questions for my students. For example, I upload PDFs of author-provided summaries, context, and themes into ChatGPT and ask it to generate discussion questions. What I appreciate most is how ChatGPT can adapt these questions to my students’ age group. Since I work with fifth and sixth graders, I often ask ChatGPT to simplify or tailor the language to ensure the questions are accessible and thought-provoking. Moreover, I frequently ask ChatGPT to divide the questions into sections based on the first and second halves of the book. This makes it easier to organize our discussions and ensures we can cover different themes and ideas at different stages. Sometimes, I’ll ask ChatGPT to focus more on a particular theme or idea if I feel the group would benefit from a deeper dive into a certain aspect of the book. Refining the Questions with My Librarian Expertise With the discussion questions generated, I applied my expertise as a librarian to fine-tune them. I draw on my decades of experience working with young readers to adjust the questions and ensure they fit my book club’s dynamic. I consider my students' interests, reading levels, and backgrounds to ensure the questions resonate with them and spark meaningful conversations. I also use my knowledge of age-appropriate themes and how to navigate sensitive topics. Sometimes, I’ll ask ChatGPT to help focus more on issues such as character development or how a book’s themes relate to real-world scenarios. The goal is to guide students toward a deeper understanding of the book and help them see connections between what they read and their lives.

Using ClassroomScreen to Enhance the Book Discussion Experience

In addition to TeachingBooks and ChatGPT, I also use ClassroomScreen, a fantastic tool that helps me create a beautiful and organized display for my book clubs. ClassroomScreen allows me to have all my "tools" in one place, including a timer, a clock, and even a randomizer into which I feed the book questions. The randomizer picks questions for the group, allowing for an element of surprise and engagement as we move through our discussion. Having all these resources—TeachingBooks, ChatGPT, my librarian expertise, and ClassroomScreen—has transformed how I facilitate book club discussions. I can seamlessly move from one tool to the next, ensuring that each discussion is organized, thoughtful, and engaging for my students.

A Real-World Example: Addressing Parent Concerns with TeachingBooks One of the most significant experiences I had with TeachingBooks came when a parent raised concerns about Starfish by Lisa Fipps, specifically around the terminology used in the book, such as the "Fat Girl Rules." The parent expressed discomfort with the language in a thoughtful and appropriate email. Rather than shying away from the conversation, I used the resources available—specifically, the Book Resume and the sensitive discussion guides from TeachingBooks—to address her concerns directly. In my response, I explained why I chose this book, emphasizing its important message about body image, self-acceptance, and the bullying many children face. I reassured the parent that we would navigate the sensitive themes responsibly and respectfully. I attached the Book Resume and discussion guides from trusted sources like the Anti-Defamation League, which would guide our conversations. The resources must have assured the parent of my sensitivity and professionalism because their child participated in and enjoyed the book club. This experience reminded me of how essential it is to use resources like TeachingBooks to foster an open, inclusive, and thoughtful reading environment while addressing concerns with sensitivity and care.

Conclusion: The Power of a Well-Resourced Book Club

Incorporating tools like TeachingBooks and ChatGPT, along with my years of experience as a librarian, has made a world of difference in how I approach book club discussions. These resources allow me to create meaningful questions that stimulate thoughtful conversations and address any challenges that arise with professionalism and care. My students are exposed to a wide range of genres, ideas, and authors, and they can engage with these books in a supportive and inclusive environment. By harnessing the power of these tools, I can create an experience that fosters a lifelong love of reading while empowering my students to think critically and empathetically. It’s a game-changer for book clubs, and I’m excited to continue using these resources to inspire my young readers. Next Steps:

- Consider exploring TeachingBooks and ChatGPT if you're looking for new ways to enrich your book clubs or teaching strategies.

- Don't forget to check out ClassroomScreen to enhance your classroom experience!