Lower School Library Lunch Clubs

Image result for book lunch
Lunch in the Library? You bet!

School Library Programming is as unique as each librarian and learning community. One popular program in my suite is the Library Lunch Club(s).

I am on a fixed PK to Grade 5 schedule for just over 190 students. During the seven day rotation, I see PK for 30 minutes, K and 1 for 40 minutes per section and grades 2 through 5 for one hour per section. I also additionally schedule co-teaching and extra library time during research season. This schedule allows ample time for curriculum as well as reader’s advisory.

I have been offering Lunch Clubs since my first year here in 2017. I had an eager bunch of 5th graders that year – strong readers and active library users – this got me thinking about expanding programming.

Lunch Clubs were born! My schedule is such that offering 2 lunchtime clubs in the library during the 7 day rotation felt manageable.

Library Lunch Club:

  • Open to 4th and 5th grade students
  • 2 lunch clubs offered each year, one per semester
  • No more than 10-12 students per, and only repeats if space allows
  • Themes (except for first year) are decided upon by my student leadership group year prior
  • Meet at least 8-10 times per semester, all semester long
  • Option to drop after first meeting, then committed for remainder
  • Eat lunch in the library or outside weather permitting for first half of lunch
  • Create, learn, enjoy library and literary activities during second half of lunch
  • Clubs offered so far:
    • Graphic Novel Club: appreciate the genre, create your own, pub in library
    • Picture Book Appreciation Club: appreciate the genre, create your own, pub in library
    • Newbery Club: Read Newbery winner and discuss book club style
    • Newspaper Club: appreciate the form and function, write your own and pub
    • Homemade Books Club: create accordion books and sew a handmade book together

I chose activities that I knew all of us would be able to dig into reasonably during the lunch hour. During all of these clubs, we talk books, laugh a lot, watch related videos, create original content and find community in our love for books, stories and sharing.

Graphic Novel sample 1
Graphic Novel sample 2
Shelf space for self-published work created during Lunch Clubs
Newspaper Sample 1

Lunch Clubs are here to stay. I really enjoy providing a unique time and space to explore the books and topics they love, while they enjoy creative expression. Please share one of your unique library programs in the comments below!

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