Reading Literature

1
Chapter 9

• Reading Literature

2
5 Ways to Elicit Response

• Creating a reader response environmentstudents
  feel valued and free to respond
• Preparing to read the literary pieceactivating
  schema, new concepts, and vocabulary words
• Reading the literary piece-read silently by
  students
• Small-group discussionfour or five students in a
  group for 5-10 minutes
• Class discussionextend small group discussion to
  whole class

3
Using Response Journal to Encourage Response to
Literature

• After reading, students write their thoughts and
  reactions in a reading log.
• Responses can be open-ended, or they can be
  prompted.

4
Other Forms of Response

• Open Mindgroup analyzes a character using the
  visual of head way to discuss what a character
  was thinking.
• Postcardcharacter writes a postcard to another
  character in the story.
• Duologuepairs (duos) of students select a scene
  from the story and have a conversation between
  the characters.
• Press ConferenceCharacters from the story hold a
  press conference related to a topic or theme in
  the story.
• Story Rapstudents summarize all or a portion of
  the story using a rap

5
Literature Discussion Groups

• A book discussion shared in a small group
  setting.
• Groups meet anywhere from one to two times a
  week.
• The teacher models ways to respond in the
  discussion.
• The teacher facilitates the discussion between
  students.
• Students respond using role sheets, notes on
  bookmarks, sticky notes to record observations,
  and respond in logs or journals.

6
Procedures for Book Club

• Books are selected.
• Students are organized into groups of four or
  five.
• Procedures are explained.
• Students are taught how to respond to their
  reading.
• Book Club discussions are held.

7
Literature Discussion Groups

• 4-6 students per group.
• Students decide which book they want to read.
• Each group is reading a different book.
• Use fiction and nonfiction.
• Could be anywhere from 4-6 literature discussion
  groups at one time.
• Rolesdiscussion director, literary luminary,
  connector, character captain, artistic
  adventurer, vocabulary enricher.
• Students complete response activities that share
  what they learned about their book.

8
Types of Literature

• Folklore
• Folktales
• Myths
• Tall Tales
• Poetry
• Chapter Books and Novels
• Nonfiction

9
Analyzing Story Elements

• Character Analysis
• Plot Analysis
• Semantic Maps
• Creative Dramas
• Story Theaters
• Readers Theater

10
Reading Aloud

• Teaching method where the teacher reads aloud to
  the student.
• Designed to promote enjoyment of reading with
  children.
• Can improve students attitudes toward reading.
• Improves listening, vocabulary, and comprehension
  skills.

11
Suggestions for Structuring the Read-Aloud Program

• Select books that you enjoy. This will shine
  through when you read to your students.
• Read aloud at the beginning of the period.
• Decide ahead of time how much you will read
  aloud5-10 minutes.
• Follow the read-aloud with a discussion about
  what was read.
• Read slightly above students grade level.
• Prepare your reading in advance. Note difficult
  vocabulary that might need to be addressed before
  you read or as you read.

12
Voluntary Reading

• Giving students time to read and choice in what
  they are reading.
• Improves students motivation to read.
• Other names...
• SSR,
• USSR,
• SQUIRT.

13
Adapted Rules for SSR

• Each student is involved in reading.
• The teacher reads during this time, too.
• The teacher can also hold conferences with
  individual students.
• Books should be chosen before SSR begins.
• At the beginning of the year, start with five
  minutes then build up to longer chunks of reading
  time.
• Use a timer.
• NO BOOK REPORTS!

14
Motivating Readers through Voluntary Reading

• Give students an interest inventory at the
  beginning of the year.
• Match books to students interests.
• Use the indirect approachmake books available
  all around the classroom.
• Pique students interest.
• Use videotapes to preview books.

15
Motivating Readers Continued

• Visit author web sites.
• Encourage partner reading.
• Make book recommendations.
• Give students opportunities to talk about and
  share books.
• Use Internet resources to make books available.