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Use Literature Circles to enhance Language Arts instruction and to improve student reading skills.
Literature Circles are highly structured reading groups of 4 to 6 students designed to encourage sophisticated discussion of novels. This method can be used with a variety of grade levels, starting at an age when kids can read, all the way up through high school. Students are in charge of the discussion. The members rotate the jobs with each meeting. These are the jobs of the participants in the Literature Circle:
For a complete description of each of these jobs (and accompanying worksheets), follow this link: http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/reading/literature_circles Students may choose from a list of novels, depending on their interests. Initially, the teacher may want to choose a short article or story to read, assign it for homework, and prepare to introduce students to the Literature Circle Process. Teachers should present several choices and have students sign up to read the books based upon common interests. Time is set aside each week for students to get together to discuss their novels. Rather than reading basals, textbooks, or short excerpts, students read novels, short stories, plays, historical fiction, biographies, and other rich popular or classical literature. Generally, literature circle group members will read the same book. Other groups in the same classroom may be reading different books and the groups may jigsaw or participate in a class-wide culminating activity. Often, books of different reading levels are chosen to accommodate individual reading needs. In some cases, group members may be reading different texts by a particular author, different texts on the same theme (courage, family tradition, survival), or different texts from the same genre (mysteries, historical fiction, poetry). The teacher’s role is to act as a quiet facilitator and observer. S/he will want to walk around the room during this activity to ensure that students are on task and discussing the novel rather than their plans for the weekend. The Twelve Ingredients of Literature Circles1) Children choose their own reading material. 2) Small, temporary groups are formed, based on book choice. 3) Different groups read different books. 4) Groups meet on a regular, predictable schedule. 5) Kids use written or drawn notes to guide both their reading and discussion. 6) Discussion topics come from the students. 7) Group meetings aim to be open, natural discussions. 8) In newly forming groups, students play a rotating assortment of task roles. 9) The teacher serves as a facilitator. 10) Evaluation is by teacher observation and student self-evaluation. 11) A spirit of playfulness and fun pervades the room. 12) New groups form around new reading choices. http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/promising/tips/tipcircles.html
The copyright of the article Literature Circles in Curricula/Lesson Plans is owned by Beth Lynne. Permission to republish Literature Circles in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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