Check out this website if you are interested in literature circles (just click on the blog title "Interesting Website"). I know I have spent a great deal of time writing about literature circles - I just love how everything is unfolding with my Sounder literature circle! There are helpful tips and links that are easily accessible.
Some of the tips include:
* Offer students a choice: letting students pick a book, a theme, and a project gives even the most reluctant reader a vested interest in the material.
* Don't dominate the discussion: part of the fun is seeing where the students go in the circle, therefore teachers should observe, offer feedback, and gently guide things back on track when necessary, but not micromanage.
* Encourage reflection: after the students finish their circle, have them write about what they thought of the discussion. For younger students, it can be a few sentences. For older students, it can be a stream-of-consciousness-style journal entry.
* Assign a project: many teachers have their students do projects at the end of the book discussion because this is an especially effective way for the nonverbal students to express themselves.
* Be aware of common pitfalls: students who read too far ahead and give away the ending, students who are unprepared, and discussions that go too far off track can derail a literature circle.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
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4 comments:
I think that these are get ideas to get someone started in a Literature Cirlce. My teacher is trying a new reading idea for the first time. She has groups of children (3-4) reading the same the book. They will assign thier own readings for that their group and then discuss.
She is noticing a problem though, one of the pitfalls that you stated..children reading too far ahead. Part of the point of the reading groups is for the children to have discussion on the books with during and after reading questions, thoughts, and comments. But many of the children are reading ahead and are causing the other children to get off track.
I did notice today, that she tried to solve the problem, by not letting the groups meet until everyone in the group has read. These gives everyone in the group a chance to be a part of the discussion. While group members were waiting for others to finish, they were instructed to write down ideas that they would want to bring to the discussion. This seemed helpful, so the teacher knew that there would be discussion.
I appreciate your ideas on the pitfalls, and I think that it would be essential for the reading groups and the teacher, if I tried to implement some of these idea; since she is learning this process for the first time as well.
I liked this blog as it gives great tips as starters to help set up a literature circle for the first time. I also liked that you included the possible challenges that may occur with a literature circle, as they do not always run perfectly. I think being flexible and knowledgable about this helps, and it sounds like you are.
Great tips!!! I know that I will be using them in my literature circle. I would love to see your literature circle sometime, could you tell me what time you do it and if you are comfortable with it I would love to come and see it.
Our last meeting is actually next week! We should be meeting around 1:30 p.m. if you are interested in stopping by to observe. We usually put out an extra seat in case Mr. B or Joanne or anyone else wants to join us. Stop by if you can!
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