Literature Circles
Content
According to Harvey Daniels (2002), there are twelve ingredients of effective literature circles:
- Children choose their own reading material
- Small, temporary groups are formed, based on book choice
- Different groups read different books
- Groups meet on a regular predictable schedule
- Kids use written or drawn notes to guide both their reading and their discussion
- Discussion topics come from the students
- Group meetings aim to be open, natural discussions
- In newly forming groups, students play a rotating assortment of task roles.
- The teacher serves as the facilitator
- Evaluation is by teacher observation and student self-evaluation
- A spirit of playfulness and fun pervades the room
- New groups form around new reading choices
The Benefits of Literature Discussion include:
- Children read more, and enjoy reading more
- Misunderstandings are clarified
- Children develop a richer understanding of the text
- Children are not evaluated on their recall of small details, but rather on their ability to discuss the work thoughtfully and insightfully, while interacting appropriately with peers
- No worksheets or artificial activities to complete
- Less proficient readers gain insights from hearing others discuss their reading strategies.
(Creating Support for Effective Literacy Instruction, C. Weaver, L. Gillmeister – Krause, & G. Vento-Zogby, 1996)
Possible Literature Circle Roles (or develop your own according to your students’ needs):
- Discussion Director
- Passage Picker
- Literary Luminary
- Word Wizard
- Artistic Designer
- Travel Tracer
- Summarizer
- Connector
- Background Investigator
Questions to consider:
- How will you structure your literature circles?
- How will you manage your literature circles?
- What is your role as teacher during literature circle meetings?
- How might you conduct a guided reading session during literature circle meetings?