Why I Give Multiple Choice Literal Comprehension Quizzes When Teaching Book Clubs

One word: Accountability.

Accountability to themselves and me. I want to make sure that students have read what they were suppose to have read and have read it closely. The quizzes I make have only 10 multiple choice questions, they are not difficult if students have read the section of the book, test only literal knowledge and are only given once a week.
Accountability to their classmates. If they haven’t read the book then they cannot participate in book club discussions – they simply can’t add much to the conversation. The other students will not have help completing the assigned task.

So, what to do if kids haven’t read? Then what? Simple, read the book then take the quiz. I will keep kids in at recess or lunch playtime if they haven’t read. Do they need the exercise? Of course they do – but they won’t die if they are kept inside once a week. I don’t keep kids in often – never really unless they haven’t completed what they are suppose to have done. If they are kept in a couple of times, I find they shape up and get the work done on time. I generally schedule book clubs in the afternoon so keeping kids in at lunch works for me.

Tips

Make your own quizzes! It’s probably not the first time you have read the book you are making a quiz for so you know the basic plot. I suggest reading the book again. As you read the book jot down questions you could use. I like to type mine, but handwritten could work too. I find that three choices for an answer is enough (a, b, c). Also, I stick to the main elements of the plot diagram (character, setting, conflict, problem, solution). I don’t tackle theme at all. My students are often still working on this element and it’s hard for them.
Before you hand out your quizzes ask to see who is ready to take the quiz. My students know that ready means that they have read the assigned pages. I give the book quizzes right before lunch break. I remind them if they aren’t ready to take the quiz then they shouldn’t. They should read their book first, then take the quiz. I don’t make a big deal out of it. Before the break, I dismiss students by who has handed in their quiz. If I don’t call their name they are not dismissed. Kids who handed in their quiz go, kids who need more time (this is unusual if they have read) or have to finish reading stay.
If you are looking for some book quizzes I do have some in my store and I have fitted them with TPT’s new digital overlay tool which allows you to assign them through Google classroom or if you are lucky enough to teach in person right now, they can be printed right from your “My Purchases”.