Planning Problem

OK, it isn't really a problem, but I can never pass up the opportunity to overuse alliteration. :)

As I am sketching out my first semester and deciding how book clubs will fit into my scheme, I could use some advice and fresh ideas.

This fall for the first time I will be teaching 4 sections of one class. I see this as both a blessing and a curse. Blessing=if you can't get it right after 4 attempts there is no hope. :) Curse=I have started to go crazy teaching 3 sections because by the time I get to the third section I can never remember--did I tell that to this group or not? Inevitably, I end up repeating myself or leaving something out.

Anyway, because of the shear number of students I will not be able to have all four sections participate in the book clubs at the same time. I will be able to have two sections participate in the book clubs, which means I need to have another plan for my other two sections. I've done this before, but the hitch this year comes with how early I would like to complete the book clubs (beginning of October). Do you think it is "fair" to have two sections doing book clubs and writing an essay while the other two sections are possibly reading a play and/or novel as a whole class?

My concern arises from the scaffolding of skills involved. Usually I've done book clubs second quarter, so I am not as concerned about the ole' switcheroo business. Yet I wonder about my vision for this year. Is it too much to ask sophomores to conduct thoughtful discussions on their own so early in the year? As my plan stands they will have read a novel with the entire class and worked in book clubs with some short stories to get an idea for the concept of book clubs.

This feels like rambling (and it probably is), but if you can make sense of it and have any thoughts, feedback, or ideas I would greatly appreciate it.