GOAL: Our goal is simple: to introduce Afro Scouts to the transformative power of books and creative writing. We will explore amazing historical figures, events, inventors and creators of African Descent. The Afro Scouts Book Club will inspire development, leadership and socialization. We believe reading books as a group encourages expression, creativity and self esteem. Books and creative writing have the incredible ability to teach, build community and inspire.

ACTIVITIES: Last Saturday of the month from 12:30p-2:00p

Opening Calming Meditation (60-90 seconds of quiet and focus on breath)

Warm Up Game/Activity – this varies each week, but works to build vocabulary, and encourage teamwork, and creativity • Create a collage or bookmark related to the theme of the book • Have the kids dress up as their favorite character and act out a scene • Draw an alternate book cover • Create a comic strip based on the storyline • Local Guest Speaker

Book Discussion – Afro Scouts are encouraged to take the lead in the discussion both asking and answering questions. They are challenged to make connections between the events of a book and their own lives, so that even those Afro Scouts who may be unable to read or fully comprehend the book, can participate actively in discussion (The book can serve as a springboard to discuss the universality of Afro Scouts experiences.) • Equal voice time • The stance of a listener (face the speaker, make eye contact, avoid fidgeting or fiddling) • Responding to one another in ways that build the conversation: making connections, disagreeing, agreeing, adding on, elaborating • Using the following Afro Scout prompts “I agree with______ because…., I disagree with _____ because…, or I agree, but I would like to add….” • Disagreeing respectfully • Questioning another’s ideas or thinking: use prompts such as “Why are you thinking…, Can you explain why you think…, Where in the novel did you find that…?” • Willingness to take on new thinking • Knowing when to stick to an idea and when to move on

Writing Exercise – Afro Scouts are given a writing prompt, often relating to the reading and are given quiet time to write.

Sharing our Writing – Afro Scouts who choose to do so, read their writing aloud. Sharing their writing, and listening to others do the same allows Afro Scouts to practice and develop the virtues of honesty, trust, self- confidence and tolerance.

Closing – each Afro Scout shares with the group "one thing I learned or made me think from this Month's Book Club.”

LOCAL GUEST SPEAKERS: Afro Scouts will regularly hosts visits by published authors and community activists, to strengthen the bonds Afro Scouts are developing with literature.