Online Book Clubs for Grades PreK-5

Name: Online Book Clubs for Grades PreK-5
Brand: Literary Adventures for Kidshttps://www.literaryadventuresforkids.com/

by Literary Adventures for Kidshttps://www.literaryadventuresforkids.com/

ElaGrades Pre-K–5

Online Book Clubs for Grades PreK-5: Literature-Based Unschooling Approach

Online Book Clubs for Grades PreK-5 is a literature-based curriculum that uses individual novels and picture books as jumping-off points for language arts instruction. The curriculum follows an unschooling philosophy with flexible lesson plans that include rabbit trails, hands-on activities, and culminating parties for each book study.

Best for

Homeschooling families who prefer unschooling approaches and want literature-rich experiences with flexible, project-based learning

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 3 concerns · 4 neutral

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum progresses appropriately from picture books to chapter books across grade levels.

Year 1 uses picture books like 'The Giving Tree,' while Year 5 includes complex novels like 'Island of the Blue Dolphins' and 'Charlotte's Web'

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsStrength

The curriculum centers on reading complete novels and picture books rather than excerpts or passages.

Each Online Book Club is 'a study of a single novel, storybook, or work of literature' with books like Charlotte's Web, The BFG, and Island of the Blue Dolphins read in their entirety

Direct InstructionConcern

The curriculum follows an unschooling approach that minimizes direct instruction in favor of exploration and discovery.

Described as following 'unschooling' pedagogy with activities organized around 'rabbit trails' and exploration rather than explicit teaching sequences

Retrieval PracticeConcern

The curriculum does not appear to include systematic retrieval practice or spaced review.

No mention of quizzes, review exercises, or spaced practice in the review; activities focus on exploration and projects rather than retention practices

Systematic PhonicsConcern

The curriculum does not include systematic phonics instruction for early grades.

The review notes that Book Clubs 'don't teach children how to read' and requires a separate 'Ready for Reading' program for phonics instruction

Knowledge RichNeutral

The curriculum includes some domain knowledge through 'rabbit trails' but lacks systematic knowledge building.

Rabbit trails explore topics like bears, prairie wildflowers, and legends, but coverage appears incidental to the chosen books rather than systematically planned across domains

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum provides lesson plans and guidance but limited teacher training materials.

Includes 'lesson plans,' 'scope and sequence,' and 'How to Grade Your Student' section, plus 'workshops for parents' with memberships, but depth of training materials unclear

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Vocabulary instruction is included but lacks systematic structure.

Students are told to 'write down unfamiliar words or phrases and look them up' and some studies teach 'several vocabulary words,' but the approach appears ad hoc rather than systematic

Writing InstructionNeutral

Writing instruction is present but primarily through copywork and brief projects rather than systematic skill development.

Students engage in copywork, dictation, and 'brief writing projects' with some studies including culminating writing assignments like short stories, but lacks systematic writing instruction

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com