By ViviaMay Pitter

What are Literature Circles?

•Literature circles are small groups formed by and for students for the purpose of discussing, analyzing and exploring specific books

What are Literature Circles?

•A Literature circle is a teaching method used by teachers to enhance their literature classes.

What are Literature Circles?

•Literature circles engage students in higher-level thinking and reflection by encouraging collaboration and construction of meaning with other readers.

What are Literature Circles?

•Literature circles help to create a student centered learning environment.

What are Literature Circles?

•A Literature circle is a strategy that guides students to a deeper understanding of what they read.

What experts say about Literature

Circles•Literature circles offer students a chance to be readers and writers, to apply the literacy skills that they are learning.” (Katherine L. Schlick Noe)

•“The whole purpose of literature circles is for students to discuss literature with their peers” (Chandler 2005)

•“Literature circles should be an arena for students to explore literature together” (Chandler 2005)

Characteristics of Literature Circles:

•Literature circles vary from class to class and from teacher to teacher but they always have three basic characteristics:

–Diversity–Student Initiative–Student and reader choice.

•Other common characteristics–Teacher becomes facilitator.–Collaboration–Discussions–Diverse Books

How to implement literature circles

1. The reading material is selected. In the beginning the reading material will come from the teacher but as the school year progresses, suggestions can come from the students.

2. Students select the reading material they wish to read. Based on their choice, then literature circles are formed.

How to implement literature circles

3. Different circles can focus on different reading material. The teacher can then discuss with each group what is expected of them. For example:

– How to behave in the circle– How to select topics for discussion– How to respond and provide

feedback.

4. Groups meet regularly to complete assignments or present findings. Students of varied abilities and intellect can be placed in the same group.

How to implement literature circles.

5. Students can be given different roles to match their abilities and interest.

– The roles can include but not limited to :• Summarizer• Investigator• Illustrator• Connector• Travel Tracer• Vocabulary Enricher • Discussion Director

6. Together or with the teacher’s help, the group decides how to present information to the rest of the class.

Literature circles support learning theories

1. Brain Based Learning theory stipulates that in order to keep the student learning the desired content we should create learning environments that fully immerse students in an educational experience, this is called: Orchestrated immersion.

•Literature circles create this type of learning environment

Literature circles support learning theories.

2. Multiage grouping is deliberately created for the benefit of children of various ages and abilities. In these groups children can work at their own pace.

•Literature circles promote multiage and ability grouping.

Literature circles support learning theories.

3. The theory of Multiple Intelligences suggests that students do not all learn in the traditional ways (linguistic and logical). There are several optional ways of learning and teachers as well as students can tap into these different ways of learning.

•Literature circles support this theory because of the roles assigned to the students in each circle.

Literature circles support learning theories.

4. Differentiated Instructions is about using different teaching strategies to impart knowledge to individual students. The end result is student success.

•Literature circles constantly changes to fit the classroom and the students. The roles assigned to the students in the circle reflect the characteristics of differentiated instructions.

ActivityNow you will get a chance to form a literature circle of your own.

You were asked to choose one of the three books listed below when you entered the room. Based on your choice you will be placed in a literature circle.

Each of you must have a role. The roles can be on of those listed in the presentation as well as you may create other roles based on the book.

Books

–The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer–Teacher Leadership by Ann Lieberman, Lynne Miller

–An Imaginative approach to teaching by Kieran Egan

Activity

You must also decide how you will publish your information

Resourceswww.allamericareads.org/lessonplan/strategies/during/litcirc1.htm

www.brookvale-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/.../ Pic4.jpg

www.cdli.ca/CITE/lang_lit_circles.htm

www.dnr.state.wi.us/.../ cool/images/reading.gif

www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr259.shtml

http://fac-staff.seattleu.edu/kschlnoe/web/LitCircles/Overview/overview.html

http://inquiryunlimited.org/lit/litcir/litcir.html

Resourceswww.istockphoto.com/ file_thumbview_approve/58...

www.lafategallery.com/.../ Different%20World.jpg

www.makleindesign.com/ RememberTheChildren.jpg

www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kvander/YoungAdult/

www.sdstatelibrary.com/.../ images/boatfull.jpg