How do you prepare students for literature circles?
Step 1: Introduce the unit with a short book talk about each book that a group may choose or talk about what type of short text students will select. Step 2: Explain the role sheets and your expectations for behavior in literature circles. Allow students to choose groups or assign groups with 3–5 members per group.
What is the purpose of literature circles?
Literature circles give students the opportunity to talk about books with their peers. Through these conversations they build community, learn critical speaking and listening behaviors, deepen their understanding of books, and… recognize that reading is fun!
What are the roles in literature circles?
Roles in literature circles
- Discussion facilitator.
- Commentator.
- Illustrator.
- Connector or reflector.
- Summarizer.
- Vocabulary enricher.
- Travel tracer.
- Investigator.
What is the difference between literature circles and book clubs?
The biggest difference between a literature circle and a book club is that the book club primarily focuses on comprehension of the story, while a literature circle explores not only comprehension, but also other aspects of literature, such as the author’s word choices and the reader’s connection to the story.
How do you use literature circles?
In literature circles, small groups of students gather together to discuss a piece of literature in depth. The discussion is guided by students’ response to what they have read. You may hear talk about events and characters in the book, the author’s craft, or personal experiences related to the story.
How are literature circles used in the classroom?
First implemented in the 1980’s, literature circles are meant to encourage student-centered discussions. They also provide a more flexible atmosphere. In literature circles, students are allowed greater choice of what they study, and greater independence to collaborate as a group.
Who created literature circles?
Johnson (1995, 1999, 2001); these individuals are credited with most of the research and teacher resources around this pedagogical approach to student choice and reading; however, numerous other researchers, including Kathy Short and Kathryn Mitchell Pierce (1990), Jerome Harste, Kathy Short and Carolyn Burke (1988).
What is the purpose of a book club?
Book clubs promote a love of literature in a positive, nurturing environment. The purpose of any club is to bring a community together to learn about and discuss something that matters to them, and a book club is no different.
How to train high school students for Literature Circles?
Step 3: Each group chooses a text and each group member chooses a role sheet for the practice round. Let students know they will choose a different role when you begin the novels. Step 4: Even high school students need a reminder about voice volume levels as each group reads aloud. Circulate as students read the book or short text as a group.
What to do at the end of a literature circle?
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.
Do you have a rubric for Literature Circles?
If Literature Circles are brand new to you or your students, understand that this is only a training session. Everyone will handle this more comfortably once you get into a good novel. I made a quick rubric, but you could also assess by assigning a short literature response page where students could summarize the book and write their reactions.
What does a sixth grade teacher do in a literature circle?
Sixth-grade teacher Alisa Gladstone says letting her 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.