Literature+Circles

=Practice = Literature Circles (or book clubs) are student led reading groups. Children read independently or with the support of a peer or group, and then continue learning through book discussion and other reading experiences. Literature Circles may include but are not limited to the following characteristics:


 * students choose their own reading material
 * four to five students comprise each group
 * students meet in small, temporary groups with other students who are reading the same book
 * teacher acts as a facilitator
 * ideally heterogeneously mixed group
 * students explore their own personal responses to the literature
 * whole group mini-lesson each day before literature circles

Pre-reading:

 * Picture walk
 * Predict
 * Exciting illustrations
 * Personal connections
 * Questions and/or other observations
 * Anticipatory guide (worksheet, journal, log)
 * Connections
 * Wonderings

During Reading:

 * Group reads with one voice/partner/alone
 * Younger students track print
 * Support each other
 * Knee to knee, eye to eye
 * Hula hoops or carpet squares can define space
 * Can include repeated readings

After Reading:

 * Discuss the story
 * Everybody responds
 * What you liked or thought about the story
 * Something about a character or event
 * Share a personnel connection
 * Talk about an illustration
 * Ask a question
 * Use a discussion guide

Extensions:
= = =[|IS Resources] =
 * Writing
 * Re-read
 * Read something else by the author or on the same topic
 * Prepare for the group response or celebration: drama, etc.

Videos
Looking Into Literature Circles [video]. Harvey Daniels, 15062-2

Professional Books
Literature Circles and Response. Christopher-Gordon Publishers 372.64 LIT (TC) Mini-lessons for Literature Circles. Harvey Daniels 372.41 DAN Literature Circles: Voice and Vhoice in Book Clubs and Reading Groups. Harvey Daniels 371.39 DAN Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student-Centered Classroom. Harvey Daniels 371.3 DAN Literature Study Circles in a Multicultural Classroom., Katharine Samway. 372.64 SAM

= Web Resources = [|Hennepin County Library] Book club discussion guides and suggested reading by genre. [|Literature Circles] Book reviews, projects, discussion partners online, and articles based on Harvey Daniels book. [|Literature Circles Resource Center] Information on planning and organizing literature circles for primary and intermediate grades. [|Literature Learning Ladders] Information, links, units and book lists to support literature circles. [|Literature Circles] Literature circle job sheets in PDF format. [|Mr. Conley's literature circles] Literature circles with job sheets in PDF format.

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