Read the literature circles overview to learn specific protocols with a trackrecord of success. Ask student volunteers to complete a literature circle discussion of the chapter for other students to observe, serving in the role that they have prepared for. I love this book and keep buying more copies so that all who want to read it can choose it for a literature circle. My students need 2 book sets of 8 copies each of maniac magee and percy jackson and the olympians. What i mostly like about book clubs is when we get in the group we take turns talking about points that are important to us. Suggested decade novels for literature circles the 1930s ayres, katherine.
I try to meet with each group for a few minutes, and i generally have a set of. Historical fiction books make excellent selections for literature circles. Why literature circles are an important part of student. Teachers can then divide students into groups of 4 to 6 members to. The document connects each title to a suggested unit that coordinates with the units in hmh collections. Literature circles are an ideal practice that i love to implement in my classroom to enhance students love of reading. What sets literature circles apart are from other instructional models is that they often involve assigned student roles. Were currently experimenting with online literature circles at our school. Literature circles what am i supposed to do while reading. Each set is designed with a specific grade or reading level in mind to aid in reading skill. Give the responsibility back to the students with this literature circlebook talk resource. Leveled text book sets, classroom library, ebooks, common core aligned online resources. They are really enjoying this new way of learning, however, often times there are not enough copies of the books.
Either read it aloud yourself, have everyone read it silently, or ask someone to read it. If you are looking for a practical way to connect students to books that they cant wait to read and dont want to put down, here is how i have found success. Classroom book clubs my favorite method is a flexible approach to literature circles that does not require the use of extensive handouts and assignment booklets. Literature circles have helped to raise reading levels and turn even the most reluctant reader into an enthusiastic one. Voice and choice in book clubs and reading groups and teaching the best practice way. Each set is designed with a specific grade or reading level in mind to aid in reading skill development. In addition, consider allowing students to make name badges or place cards for each role. This collection was recommended by upper elementary and middle school teachers who follow the teaching resources facebook page and corkboard connections blog. Literature circles give students the opportunity to talk about books with their peers. I get to ask more questions and learn more by talking about the books with my friends. Students jot down their message on a postit and stick it on the correspo. Yay, you are eager to begin to organize your literature circles. Your job is to prepare a brief summary of todays reading.
The benefits of literature circles in the high school. This packet is laid out as having 4 members in each group that go through 4 cycles. Literature circle role cards are also available in printed. Teachers can then divide students into groups of 4 to 6 members to read their groups chosen book independently and then meet together using roles to support their discussion. But what happens if you need a large set of books but dont want to spend all your hardearned. Book clubs help you talk about your questions and what you read. Lets face it there are a lot of books in the world, which means that there are a lot of options.
You can use some fairly simple criteria to help you find such books. This book by harvey smokey daniels is the place to go to learn about literature circles. The discussion is guided by students response to what they have read. This oneofakind guide to running literature circles, based on sharon creechs walk two moons, shows teachers how to organize small discussion groups that work. The true intent of literature circles is to allow students to practice and develop the skills and strategies of good readers dalie, 2001.
The aim is to encourage thoughtful discussion and a love of reading in young people. This document provides a full list of all titles and authors of the books included in the literature circle book sets for high schools. Tips for successful literature circles teacher thrive. Make sure everyone opens to the right page and help them find where the passage begins. This is a great book for those who are beginning to experiment with literature circles in the classroom. Here is the complete collection of literature circle role sheets to use for class literature circles. Esperanza rising by pam munoz ryan wonderful book about a girl who must leave her privileged background and survive a mexican work camp during the great depression. Literature circle question cards to assist in writing fat questions literature circle evaluation form to be used with literature packet reading response questions. However, for the purpose of the first 25 days, students will be reading.
My students need 47 copies of 11 appropriately leveled books, including works by jerry spinelli, andrew clements and judy blume. Literature circles involve a small group of students exploring a piece of literature in depth. Mp 1 24 weeks introducing literature circles and book clubs learning targets big ideas. With 32 students in the class,i have started grouping them by level into.
There is some live action, as well as a scripted section that was written by a student. Begin literature circles with book talks so students can choose books they want to read. In each strategy, students select books they wish to. This oneofakind guide to running literature circles based on jerry spinellis maniac magee shows you how to organize your students into discussion groups that work. Our goal is to set our teachers and students up for successful implementation. In pittsburgh in 1933, sixthgrader mike costa notices a connection between. A literature circle is a small group instructional approach to support the development of comprehension, independence and enjoyment. Smokey has been struck by the range of the book club boom that his book helped initiate. In each strategy, students select books they wish to read with a group of their peers. Although youll find lots of books and articles on the literature circles, there are many ways to implement the strategies across grade levels and subject areas.
To introduce expectations, roles, and process of participating in formal and informal book clubs. Literature circles ideas for teaching, resources for lesson. A literature circle is basically a small book club for kids. See more ideas about literature circles, literature and book club books. In literature circles, small groups of students gather together to discuss a piece of literature in depth. Although youll find lots of books and articles on the literature circles. Select a picture book or short text for this practice literature circle. Certainly literature circles, book clubs, and discussion groups arent new tools for many teachers. But what happens if you need a large set of books but dont want to spend all your hard earned. Literature circle book sets from chapter 4, getting started with literature circles by katherine l. It also recognizes that literature circles often have many problems and frustrations and walks the reader through scenarios step by step. They prepare for a group meeting by reading agreedupon pages, with the followup discussion led members of the group. Heres what students had to say about the literature circles in their classrooms.
Mar 26, 2016 reading guided reciprocal literature circles. The biggest difference between a literature circle and a book club is that the book club primarily focuses on comprehension of the story. Reading az also provides all the resources you need for literature circles with any book. Literature circle book sets literature circles resource. Qualities of a good literature circle book a good literature circle book touches something within the readers heart and mind and compels response. Literature circle overview definition a literature circle is a students equivalent in the classroom of an adult book club. Brown another professional resource that makes this model very teacher friendly. I love reading picture books because theyre short, packed with meaning and great for discussion. Book set recommendations for middle school literature. The goal of book discussion groups and literature circles is to engage students in literature through stories and topics that interest them. Kids pick the books they want to read and then discuss them.
Book set recommendations for middle school literature circles. The implementation of literature circles is outlined in many of our reading workshops. If you use the literature circle roles, students will also need to prepare for their role in their upcoming lit circle. They are shorthand messages similar to text messages. Literature circle book sets for 4th graders donorschoose. Literature circle journals save teachers time by pulling together predetermined roles appropriate for a leveled book. While i have a ton of class sets of novels that are readily available, i utilize our public library teacher program to get multiple copies of newer titles to use with my students.
Literature circles ideas for teaching, resources for. The city of ember by jeanne duprau, sarah, plain and tall by patricia maclachlan, the westing game by ellen raskin, t. First 25 days of literature circles english language. From start to finish this book gives ideal situations, practices and real examples. Training students for literature circles scholastic. Literature circles are group meetings in which students get together to read, recollect, reflect, and analyze the assigned reading book. Literature circles are one of the best ways to engage readers and activate critical thinking. This book gives suggestions on everything from organizing your groups to possible minilessons to teach within literature circles.
Ten newbery books for a middle school book club and an explanation how to start one up. The document connects each title to a suggested unit that coordinates. You should get the book literature circles by harvey daniels. In literature circles sometimes referred to as book clubs, small groups of students meet to discuss a piece of. The nuts and bolts of setting up literature circles. In pittsburgh in 1933, sixthgrader mike costa notices a connection between several strange occurrences, but the only way he can find out the truth about whats happening is to be nice to the class bully.
Every few years, i like to update the titles for my literature circles to include new and exciting stories. The folder can house a calendar and reading schedule for the group, background information or pronunciation guides for that groups book, descriptions of the literature circle roles, etc. Students and educators meet in small groups to discuss, respond, and. Literature circle books for 3rdgrade glitter in third. With 32 students in the class,i have started grouping them by level into literature circles book clubs. I did not have a book club in my middle school, but i think it would have been great. To prompt student thinking, the following role cards may be used.
Here are lists of books that teachers have used in literature circles in grades 1 8. It can be tricky to know if you have should choose books that you know your students will love big nate, wimpy kid, harry potter. Looking to expand your classroom library or learning resources. Basically, literature circles are another name for elementary school book. As students connect the ideas in stories to the issues in their own lives and the world around them, they also build higherlevel thinking skills. Voice and choice in book clubs and reading groups and teaching the best. Each circle consists of about 45 students and several circles run concurrently in the classroom. Literature circle book sets donorschoose project by mrs. Popular literature circle books goodreads share book. There are several variations depending on whether students read the book before beginning the discussion. I like how we talk about what we read and we ask questions. The other members of your group will be counting on you to give a. Literature circles are small, temporary groups of students who gather together to.
The roles are discussion directorquestioner, literary luminary, vocabulary enhancerword. Includes stimulating questions and writing prompts that motivate students to think and respond thoughtfully. At its core, literature circles are groups of students meeting together to discuss reading. Mp 1 24 weeks introducing literature circles and book. It sets students up for success by guiding them through how to discuss a novel in a group. A literature circle is equivalent for young people of an adult book club, but with greater structure, expectation and rigor. Included in this freebie are two versions of my lit. Esperanza rising by pam munoz ryan wonderful book about a girl who must leave her privileged background and survive a mexican work camp during the great. Smokey has authored or coauthored thirteen books on language, literacy, and education. Variety of picture books, short texts, or student access to library if you want to choose the books, see the resources for using literature. I love how she sets up her book clubs literature circles and includes questions from edhelper that she grades. The intent of literature circles is to allow students to practice and develop the skills and strategies of good readers dalie, 2001. Students demonstrate how to conduct literature circles. Literature circles and studentled book clubs are both instructional strategies that allow students choice, voice and motivation in reading.
The aim is to encourage studentchoice and a love of reading in young people. Variety of picture books, short texts, or student access to library if you want to choose the books, see the resources for using literature circles in your classroom book list for suggestions rubric outlining expectations for literature circles work and behavior. It is a bit like an adult book group and each student has a. Your group discussion will start with your 12 minute statement that covers the key points. Razplus also provides all the resources you need for literature circles with any book. My 5th grade class demonstrates a literature circle using the book boy in the striped pajamas. You might consider creating a folder for each literature circle. I think they were discussion director, illustrator, literary luminary expands on an interesting passageexcerpt and makes connections to it. Click on a grade level below to see the entire list for that grade. Moving forward with literature circles by dixie lee spiegel, jeni pollack day, janet mclellan, valerie b.
The nuts and bolts of setting up literature circles edutopia. The aim is to encourage thoughtful discussion and a love of reading in young. I will determine the literature circle theme and choose the book options based on the interests and reading levels of my students. Gabys parents secretly bury his books and papers in their small yard.
1248 1417 231 639 994 140 457 115 624 1097 1289 1366 1015 925 311 1165 654 1404 1430 447 1553 348 321 64 486 488 1082 1114 916 523 177