Literature Circles In the Classroom

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Literature CirclesIn the Classroom

• Back to School Night 2004
• Ms. Corsover

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Self Regulated Learning

• Self-regulated learning the ultimate goal of
  modern education.
• Defined as a student who takes responsibility
  for
• Goal-setting
• Planning
• Self-motivation
• Attention control
• Application of learning strategies
• Self-monitoring, evaluation, and reflection

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Co-regulated Learning

• A reasonable bridge between directed learning and
  self-regulated learning

Directed Learning (Teacher driven)
Self-regulated Learning (Student driven)
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• Literature circles are a perfect example of
  co-regulated learning!

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Characteristics of a Literature Circle
Students choose reading materials from the teachers approved selections Students form small, temporary groups based on their book choice Groups meet regularly according to student-developed schedules
Students make notes to guide their reading and discussion Students choose topics for discussion and ask open-ended questions Teachers are facilitators, not group leaders
Teachers evaluate through observation and student self-evaluations The classroom is a community of learners students are actively engaged After reading a book, students share info with classmates
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What do you talk about in a Literature Circle?
Social Issues
The Group Process
The Book
Connections
The Reading Process
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Assessment

• Can be accomplished through
• Observation of student collaboration, independent
  reading, discussion participation, presentation
  of books and projects
• Monitoring student progress through schedules,
  assignment sheets, and notes
• Assessing reading log entries and projects
• Examining self-evaluation through checklists and
  one-on-one conferences

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Benefits of Literature Circles

• Students view themselves as readers
• Students read high-quality books
• Students are inspired to write
• Students develop
• Reading preferences
• Critical and creative thinking
• Responsibility for completing projects
• Self-assessment and monitoring techniques

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What Can Parents Do to Help?

• Ask open-ended questions about what your child
  is reading
• Ex What is the main character like? What was the
  most exciting part of the story?
• Read the books they have chosen, if possible,
  and express your opinions
• Visit the library or bookstore to find other
  reading selections connected to the in-class
  reading material (same subject or author)
• Encourage all forms of reading and writing at
  home letters, directions, magazines, books, etc.

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Questions?
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Credits

• Text and information gathered from the following
  sources
• Literacy for the 21st Century. Gail E. Tompkins,
  Merrill Prentice Hall, 2003.
• Human Learning. Jeanne Ormrod, Merrill Prentice
  Hall, 2004.