| Literature
Circles |
Print the
PDF
Blackline Master |
 |
|
Reading Skills
- Reading and discussing books
- Connecting with books
- Taking responsibility as readers and constructing
meaning together
- Debating and challenging one another
- Making drawings and notes that reflect readers'
ideas
- Asking open-ended questions
- Reading aloud of favorite passages
- Revisiting the text constantly
- Proving points and settling differences by using
specific passages
- Thinking critically
Overview of the "Literature
Circle" Strategy
"Literature Circles" -
small groups of students gathered together to discuss
a piece of literature in depth - is a teaching method
that allows students to become critical thinkers as
they engage in ongoing dialogue with a book, in this
case Wish You Well. Literature circles provide
a way for students to engage in critical thinking and
reflection as they read, discuss, and respond to the
book. Collaboration is at the heart of this approach.
In classrooms all across the country, literature circles
are helping to create a student-centered learning environment.
Through structured discussion and extended written and
artistic response, this strategy guides the students
to a deeper understanding of what they read. The key
aspect of this strategy is the structured use of role
sheets (see below) as the students
learn to discuss and contribute to the group. These
sheets can also be used as evaluation tools.
Activity for the "Literature
Circle" Strategy
- Select members for the Literature Circles (discussion
groups).
- Assign roles for the members of each circle.
- Assign reading to be completed by the circles inside
or outside of class.
- Select circle meeting dates.
- Help students prepare for their roles in their circle.
- Act as a facilitator for the circles.
Blackline
Masters
(Download
all masters in PDF print-friendly format)
Note: Each page will open in its own window. To
return to this page, use the "Close Window"
link on the new page.
|
