Literature Circles
Choosing Books
- Four or five choices
- Books selected because they relate to a theme, topic, genre or author focus and represent good literature
Forming Groups
- Groups formed by student choice of book or choice of theme/topic
Reading and Preparing for Discussion
LC1
- Teacher offers choice of a few response prompts
- Students and teacher generate possible responses
LC2
- Students choose from a menu of ideas -- or their own
- Students read individually, in pairs, with taped book, with specialist/volunteer support
Discussion
LC1
- Groups meet on a rotating basis
- Teacher facilitates group; or Teacher participates as group member; or Teacher sits near group but observes; or Students facilitate own group, teacher roams
- Students generate discussion guidelines; modify/adapt forms
LC2
- The groups set their own schedule
- Teacher facilitates group; or Teacher participates as group member; or Teacher sits near group but observes; or Students facilitate own group, teacher roams
- Modify forms to fit -- or give them up altogether
Written Response
LC1
- Teacher offers choice of a few responses
- A given number of responses per week; written only
- Modify/adapt forms
LC2
- Students choose from a menu of ideas -- or their own
- Flexible number of responses per week using a variety of response formats (e.g., written and art)
- Modify or dispense with forms
Extension Projects
- Teacher offers a choice of a few options
- Students choose (group or individual)
- Students select from a menu of options -- or their own
- Students choose (group or individual)
Assessment and Evaluation
- Use one or two forms
- Try out limited amount of student self-assessment
- Students choose a few responses to be graded; begin to evaluate discussion
- Modify forms and develop own
instruments
- Take and use anecdotal notes
- Use extensive student self-assessment
- Students still choose a few responses to be graded but greater emphasis put on discussions
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Helpful Websites:
Literature Circle Resource Center
Overview of Literature Circles
- Four or five choices
- Books selected because they relate to a theme, topic, genre or author focus and represent good literature
Forming Groups
- Groups formed by student choice of book or choice of theme/topic
Reading and Preparing for Discussion
LC1
- Teacher offers choice of a few response prompts
- Students and teacher generate possible responses
LC2
- Students choose from a menu of ideas -- or their own
- Students read individually, in pairs, with taped book, with specialist/volunteer support
Discussion
LC1
- Groups meet on a rotating basis
- Teacher facilitates group; or Teacher participates as group member; or Teacher sits near group but observes; or Students facilitate own group, teacher roams
- Students generate discussion guidelines; modify/adapt forms
LC2
- The groups set their own schedule
- Teacher facilitates group; or Teacher participates as group member; or Teacher sits near group but observes; or Students facilitate own group, teacher roams
- Modify forms to fit -- or give them up altogether
Written Response
LC1
- Teacher offers choice of a few responses
- A given number of responses per week; written only
- Modify/adapt forms
LC2
- Students choose from a menu of ideas -- or their own
- Flexible number of responses per week using a variety of response formats (e.g., written and art)
- Modify or dispense with forms
Extension Projects
- Teacher offers a choice of a few options
- Students choose (group or individual)
- Students select from a menu of options -- or their own
- Students choose (group or individual)
Assessment and Evaluation
- Use one or two forms
- Try out limited amount of student self-assessment
- Students choose a few responses to be graded; begin to evaluate discussion
- Modify forms and develop own
instruments
- Take and use anecdotal notes
- Use extensive student self-assessment
- Students still choose a few responses to be graded but greater emphasis put on discussions
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Helpful Websites:
Literature Circle Resource Center
Overview of Literature Circles
