Literature Circles

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Home : 2004 : November : 23

Literature Circles
By Amy

I tape record my literature circles. The kids view this as a class and we discuss the positives and the negatives. Before I video tape, we have also had discussions as a class about what is going well and what we need
to improve on. The kids will surprise you - they hit it right on the head.
Examples: too many people not taking turns
not really listening
running out of things to say
Things Going Well: someone encouraging someone else to speak up and share idea, someone bringning the group back (on task), and good discussions. My kids rate their other group members. I don't share who

wrote what, but I do share overall generalizations about how they're doing based on their group members.

For my struggling readers, I coordinated with my Title 1 teacher and she offers a systematic sequential phonics/reading class for those kids who it isn't appropriate for them to join in with literature circles. One other thing that I have done is chose shorter, more on level (guided reading) books for those kids. They are still capable of responding to what they are reading AND then I can spend a short amount of time with them working on skills. I hope this makes sense. Feel free to ask me questions.

-- Strongest tool has been the video tape for me --very poweful!!!
Good luck
Amy Cameron