lit circles

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Home : 2002 : January : 4

lit circles
By Lori

Hi,

I posted some about my lit circles in a post above that asked about them. As for implementing, I teach and structure extensively for the first 3-4 weeks of the school year. At the beginning of the year, I do lit circles
everyday using read aloud picture books. I try to have only 4 groups to start with. Sometimes that means 6 students to a group and that is the absolute maximum, I allow to any group. I realy prefer 4 to 5 to a group.
I read the selection and teach the lesson that is to be emphasized that day -- good questions, good discussion etiquette, etc. Then I divide the class into

the groups. I have 4 centers in the four corners of the room. One corner is the lit circle corner. At first, I am a part of the lit circle group. The other centers may be math, literature, science, or social studies related. In the beginning, the lit circles last 15 -20 minutes, it depends on the class. Every 15 to 20 minutes the timer goes off and the class rotates to the next center. This takes quite a bit of scaffolding during the first few weeks to help the students develop the independence and responsibility to do the centers.

I always pick the first novel and the whole class reads it but is divided into groups just like the picture books. Stone Fox is a good one or some other short novel since I try to get through the first novel during the first grading period. Sometimes it doesn't happen though.

After the first novel, I begin to teach the students how to pick a book for lit circles, again beginning with picture books and following the same schedule. After a week or so of practice choosing, they are ready to pick a novel.

At this time, the schedule changes and only one lit circle meets at a time, while the other groups read their novel or work at a more complex center activity. THe other groups work at a center each day. The last center is journal entry or some thing they do at their desk if I have five groups. I can have up to 5 groups with one group meeting each day for 30 minutes at first and building up.

Does that help any? It seems very long winded!

Lori