Three Ring Circuses and Book Clubs

Sometimes it is really difficult for me to imagine how I am going to keep things fresh, new, and interesting for the students in my classroom. I am scared that I will run out of ideas or that I will find one thing that I enjoy and continue to use it week after week after week, whether the students are still enjoying it or not. However, when I read the "Guided Reading" section of The Teacher's Guide to the Four Blocks those fears were eased greatly. Although I really liked all of the suggestions the book made, the two that stuck out most to me were the Three Ring Circus and Book Clubs.
I really liked the Three Ring Circus for its great flexibility, both with the students and the teacher. It also allows the same idea to be used over and over and over again for a length of time without becoming monotonous and boring to the kids. For the teacher, the Three Ring Circus allows the flexibility to work with different groups of students who may need extra support and assistance with different skills each day this format is used. Although I would never use the same format for more than three or four weeks in a row, if that, this format of Guided Reading does allow for that amount of extended use if the need is there. When I picture this going on in my classroom, I see a picture of my ideal classroom environment- some students working alone, some working together, and some working under assistance, but all toward one common goal. I have been thinking and thinking about modifications to this activity were I to use it in my classroom, but I cannot come up with anything I would change to save my life. I think this format has been so carefully planned and developed over time that there are very few things that could make it a better experience for one. However, the one thing I will be sure of when employing the Three Ring Circus in my classroom, is that the assignment of each individual is very carefully considered according to their needs before being made, and not rushed through or planned at the last minute.
The other format I really like is Book Clubs. Just as with the Three Ring Circus, I feel that this format for Guided Reading does a remarkable job at allowing everyone in the classroom a great deal of flexibility, and would allow for an extended (3-4 weeks) period of use. Another great thing about Book Clubs is that it really gives kids the chance to dig into their own personal interests. Sometimes students are assigned according to their interests, and sometimes according their reading level. It just depends on what everyone choices were. It also makes some really great opportunities for "themed weeks" throughout the year. Aside from those benefits, this format is also a great teaching opportunity for helping kids to begin to understand that they will not always get their way in life. And when they dont, it's not the end of the world. Once again, when I picture this going on in my classroom, I see another picture of my ideal classroom environment-students working together in small groups, but all toward a common goal. Essentially, I aim for organized chaos and lots and lots of learning and fun, but I also aim to never lose sight of making sure the needs of each individual child are met. And, once again... after much thought, I really can't think of anything I would change about Book Clubs as I understand them. The most important thing, I think, is to make sure that everyone gets their first choice fairly often. Kids know who put what as their first choice, and they will know if one child is getting their first choice all the time while another child never gets their first choice.
The thing I am most sure of is that I am very excited about getting to try these Guided Reading formats in my very own classroom someday.