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Kathy/5/IA - Welcome to our focus session on Literature Circles.
Kathy/5/IA - What grade do you teach, Sandy?
Sandy - 2nd--just finished my first year there
Kathy/5/IA - That's a great feeling, isn't Sandy! Have you used literature circles?
Sue/Diane/2/1/WI - Hi, does anyone use Literature Circles with grades 2 and 1? If so, any suggestions on how to conduct them-we don't have much pk of how they would work in the primary gradesimary grades
Kathy/5/IA - Our title I teacher uses them with 3rd grade. I would think you could condense the jobs ect...for younger kids. Maybe having them all do the same job and then share
Sandy - Kathy-I have not. We use Saxon Phonics and Accelerated Reader. I'm just interested in anything else I can add to jazz up the existing programs we use. Have to brag--we just found out that we were exemplary based on our TAAS scores (from Texas). :)
Kathy/5/IA - Congrats Sandy! I know some teachers who use the AR tests as their final assessment with Lit.Cir.
Sandy - Kathy--that's a great thought! Have not considered that before!
Marva/Texas/3rd - I have never used lit. circles. We usually just all read the same novel. Would like to try something different next year.
Kathy/5/IA - I used Lit. Circles this year for the first time with my 5th graders! Had a lot of success with them!
Marva/Texas/3rd - Sandy, where in Texas are you? I'm in south Austin
Kathy/5/IA - Have you check the site I posted on the main board about lit. circles, Marva.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Kathy, yes. bookmarked and everything.
Julie - I'm a little confused on what the teacher does during lit circle discussion time (I teach 5th grade). I have been walking around and jotting notes but feels like i should be more involved...perhaps that is just getting used to giving up the leader role?
Sandy - Marva--Atlanta, Texas--25 miles south of Texarkana
Kathleen - Julie's question about the teacher's role is an interesting one, what is the role of the teacher?
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - I have used Lit. Circles in grades 1-6 with lots of success at each level
Kathy/5/IA - That's about what I did, Julie. I know how you feel. The main focus of Lit. circles is to give the students the voice in the classroom. I consider myself the guide on the side.
Grace/IL - Dot, tell us what you do as each group is meeting.
Kathy/5/IA - I'm either jotting down notes or sitting in on a session.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Our district (but not necessarily our school) is encouraging classrooms where students are reading and doing different things.
Kathleen. - Kathy, what do you do when sitting with a session, how much do you steer the group?
Marva/Texas/3rd - What kinds of notes do you take? What are you looking for?
JJ/NM - Marva, have they given you any guidelines???
Kathy/5/IA - For the last round of Lit. Cir. I added a tape recorder to each group. That way if I thought I missed something in a group - I could go back to the tapes. The tape recorder REALLY kept the kids on track!
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - In the beginning, I became the model. Has the children become more capable, they take on the more. I love the way Lit. Circles develop thinkers, along with readers.
Marva/Texas/3rd - JJ - mmmm well they keep offering workshops. But I'm the only workshop hound at my school. Though I did talk some ladies into going to balanced literacy and a reading summit with me this summer. So yes they are offering VOLUNTARY training I guess.
Grace/IL - Dot, about how many readers do you have in each circle?
Kathy/5/IA - I have a chart that I keep notes on. Looking for participation, how well the students discussed. If I sit in on a group, and they are missing a concept I try to steer them in the right direction
Sandy - Kathy-how did you choose reading material for your groups? Were they finished in one sitting or did it take longer?
Kathy/5/IA - I have 6 in each group
Marva/Texas/3rd - JJ - mmmm well they keep offering workshops. But I'm the only workshop hound at my school. Though I did talk some ladies into going to balanced literacy and a reading summit with me this summer. So yes they are offering VOLUNTARY training I guess.
Julie - the tape recorders is a great idea, I plan to buy some over the summer-I was thinking the same thing about it keeping them more on track. I started using lit circles towards the end of the year (got through 3 cycles) the kids loved it!
Kathy/5/IA - I do the same in the beginning - Dot. I model each job as I teach them.
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - It varies from 5-6 to maybe 10 at the most-a lot depends on the level and my goal for discussion.
Kathy/5/IA - The kids became much more responsible with the tape recorders!
JJ/NM - What are the jobs you have Kathy??
Grace/IL - So, Kathy, if you have 6 in each group, you may have as many as 4 circles going at one time, right
Sue/Diane/2/1/WI - How do you choose the reading materials for each group?
Kathy/5/IA - The jobs I use are Discussion Director, Artful Artist, Passage Picker, Connector, Summarizer, and Word Wizard.
Marva/Texas/3rd - I would like to know about the LA schedule with lit. circles? Do you do it every day? And what is the daily schedule comprised of?
JJ/NM - Think I understand most, but what does the Artful Artist do??
Kathy/5/IA - For my 2 sections of 5th graders I had 3 groups going. My ESL students are pulled out during my reading time (for their own reading class), so that cuts my class some.
Kathy/5/IA - My groups meet on Mon. Wed. and Fri. On Tues & Thurs. I do mini lessons and give them some time to read and do their jobs.
Sue/Diane/2/1/WI - Students have what kind of preparation before hand on Tues and Thurs?
Marva/Texas/3rd - Sue, I'm no expert (heh) but I was told to arrange the lit circles (book clubs) around a theme... like an author or like Mischief Makers or something.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Kathy, ah... what kind of jobs?
Kathy/5/IA - Artful Artist - picks a scene they read about it and illustrates it. When the group meets they show their picture. The other member try to pick the scene they illustrated.
Julie - I lay out about 10 choices of books (after I do a sell for each title) and have the studetns list their 1-3rd choices and then put them in groups according to their choices. I try to have the books relate to our current unit theme
Kathy/5/IA - What, Marva??? Question on the jobs?
Marva/Texas/3rd - You said you gave them time to do their jobs? I was wondering what types of jobs these were?
JJ/NM - Wow, sounds great!! Do you pick what job certain students do or do they volunteer or rotate??
Sandy - Julie--do you worry about students selecting books that are over their reading level or do you just "steer" them to an appropriate group?
Kathy/5/IA - I was pretty limited on books this year. I did start building some themes for next year from my book orders. Used my bonus points.
Kathy/5/IA - JJ - they rotate jobs. I list them and they just keep moving down the list.
Marva/Texas/3rd - I'm going to use all my PTA money
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - I like having one student who will "retell" the days meeting. I try to pick a student who needs a little help on working with the book. If he/she has a purpose for listening, it often helps through his peer understandings.
Kathy/5/IA - Marva - the jobs they work on Tues. and Thurs. are their jobs they have for the next session - like Discussion Director , etc.
Sandy - To all--Scholastic has a web site. You can request a catalog there--very reasonable prices
Kathy/5/IA - Great idea, Dot!!
Marva/Texas/3rd - Oh I see. Kathy. Okay so 8-8:30 mini lesson, 8:30-9:00 partner or silent reading, 9:00-9:30???
JJ/NM - How does literature circles work in say k-2??? What if student's aren't reading??
Sue/Diane/2/1/WI - Are literature circles used for supplement only or can reding comprehension be taught during the same time?
Kathy/5/IA - That would work Marva!
Julie - Sandy, i had the students use the five finger method to make sure the book was at their level, and they all did a fine job picking. A few students I thought picked a little above their level but due to interest level in the book were able to read it. I also have tapes to go with some of the books to help them, and some children read with a partner or choral read ( as much as i tried to get them away from that old reading group-each read a paragraph stuff)
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - Marva, we all have business partners and they will often by books. for us. We also let parents know that any old books are welcome in the school.
Kathy/5/IA - Have you used Lit. Circles before Kim?
Sue/Diane/2/1/WI - Kathy/5/IA-thanks, question...do the students read the book together at the group or have they all preread the book before group meeting?
Julie - Hi Kim! what catalog does Scholastic have?
Grace/IL - The taped books sound good for those students who are not yet reading.
Kathy/5/IA - Mine read and prepare for the session ahead of time. That's what they do on Tues/Thurs. (Some homework too - 5th graders)
JJ/NM - Good idea Grace, or I was thinking, what about picture books??
Kathy/5/IA - Dot - does the student who "retells" the days session to you do that in writing or in person?
Julie - mine also read ahead of time and come to group prepared to discuss. At the end of every two weeks (time alloted to read the book) I had my children do a presentation to the class. This was definately a highlight for the students
Sandy - Julie--just request a catalog of ALL the Scholastic books. It's a BIG thick yellow book and has all their selections in it--great resource! You can probably go to Customer Service at the web site and request. If that doesn't work, call them and tell them what you need. You can also request titles on the web site and they will get back to you in 24 hours re: price info.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - Teaching ESL with such a wide variety of reading abilities in English, I think I'd certainly have to use a combination of silent reading, partner reading, and tapes.
Kathy/5/IA - I do exactly the same Julie!
teach - Do you use lit circle to mean 3-5 reading same assigned(or self-chosen?)title?
Kim/KS/8th - Our school is using Accelerated Reader. How does that fit into literature circles?
Kathleen. - Jimmie, Lit Circles sounds as though it would be very supportive of ESL students
Marva/Texas/3rd - Oh, well one workshop I went to, the teachers said that the students bought their own books... students could then underline, take notes etc. Of course this was a higher ses school.
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, teach. I have 6 reading the same title.
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - Picture books work great. Have you ever tried using picture books at the upper level? It's great for working on the use of meaning in a story. It also is a way to let you cover a large ability range.
Kathy/5/IA - Some teachers I know with AR use the AR tests as the final assessment to "check" to see if the student did infact read the book. I hope we get AR SOON!
Marva/Texas/3rd - I'm kind of down on school book sets of paper backs right now. Ours are all ratty looking.
teach - Julie, what length book do you give two weeks to read? I teach juniors-seniors, and ask them to read 20 p. per day. Too much?
Julie - bought their own books? That would be nice!! I spent a fortune and hundreds of bonus points, garage sales, etc. this year but I have a pretty decent selection now.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - You're right, Kathleen. I'm in a literacy institute offered by my district this week and next. We'll be discussing reading next week, so I'm trying to get my thoughts jumpstarted.
Sandy - AR is super--I've used it for three years and LOVE it!
Kathleen. - Marva, maybe a good project would be creating new covers for the ratty books..would that be worthwhile and help renew the books?
Grace/IL - I would think that AR would be good. My experience is that AR becomes an individualized program. Perhaps if groups read and discussed the book, it would enhance their computer question answering.
Kathy/5/IA - Mine use highligher tape or post-a-notes to mark section.
Marva/Texas/3rd - I want the students to have something to TURN in (sigh...project oriented) What kinds of assignments do the kids do with the books?
Kim/KS/8th - This was my first year to use AR--I was very set against it. Then I went to an inservice, liked what I heard, and decided to give it a try. One of my level 2 ESL students raised her reading level from second grade to 6th grade in only 7 months! I'm hooked!
teach - Would lit circles work with independent reading--could students visit with each other about their book, or am I missing the point?reading
Julie - I give typical "5th grade" length books (usually 150 pages or so) students decide how much the group will read each day. I divide it out for them and tell them how much they need to read to finish in 2 weeks and they adjust from there.
Kim/KS/8th - Kathleen, I like the book cover idea!
Marva/Texas/3rd - Kathleen that's a good idea. Or we just have to get used to replacing them every other year.
Kathy/5/IA - The first "real" lit circle we did, we all read the same book, so I could monitor the groups of six better. They made great board games at the end. The key to their games was to Check for understanding of the book.
Kathleen. - Wow, Kim, that is great testimony to how well Lit circles worked in your case!
Jimmie/ESL/TX - Kim, my ESL students have grown with AR, too. We worked on an autobiography, The Land I Lost" together as part of our unit. Then they all took the AR test and did SO well. So I agree that Lit Circles and AR can work hand in hand.
Julie - Marva, there are tons of projects they could do and turn in...posters, time lines, mobiles, dioramas (spelling), postcards from one character to another, etc. The kids love to do this kind of stuff.
Sandy - Another idea on book preservation--use clear contact paper to cover (like the old fashioned book covers). It helps!
Sue/Diane/2/1/WI - Do you use literature circles as supplemental reading or as a basis for teaching reading skills (i.e. in place of a basal)
Marva/Texas/3rd - Sandy, yes. I saw the 4th grade teachers sending home new books to be covered by parents. It's something I will do with *my* books next year.
Kathy/5/IA - I used it in place of the basal this year. I believe 5th graders need BOOKS in their hand!!!
JJ/NM - Marva, how about posters, articles for newspapers, plays or a skit?
Kim/KS/8th - I have accumulated many paperbacks. I fix the covers with clear packing tape when they get a little "ratty." The tape is pretty thick, so it holds up well. If I had the time, I would cover all the new books as I get them.
Kathy/5/IA - We brainstormed a list of projects (like the ones being mentioned) for the kids to do at the end of the books.
Sandy - Marva, did I understand you? Parents covered the books (and did it appropriately?!?).
Julie - I used picture books to introduce the whole idea. we all read the same picture book and then i took 6 days (1 day per job-different book each day also) and practiced them, then picked 4 students to fish bowl a group meeting. They caught on much more quickly than i had anticipated.
Marva/Texas/3rd - JJ, this year my students had some pretty nice journals when we did whole class books. I wrote one discussion question, then they wrote an observation, question, wondering. We met as a whole class book club. heh. But that structure (questions) will be hard to do with 4 different books at the same time.
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - We have just purchased a Basal series-next year I'm going to try to use the basal with lit. circles. We're getting our teacher's editions on tuesday. I guess i'll have the summer to work it out.
Kathy/5/IA - I did about the same, Julie. We also use our basal stories to teach each job.
JJ/NM - what grade do you teach Julie??
Sandy - There is a good workbook called "Alternatives to Worksheets" that has lots of good projects--murals, hats, mobiles, etc....very creative stuff!
Jan/IA /5 - I have been using literature circles for 5 years and my principle wants to use the new basal we have ordered. Any suggestions?
Kim/KS/8th - I know this session isn't for advertising, but I have a list of alternative book reports and literature responses at my website, TEACHER TALK. Most of the ideas are ones I found on the internet, so they aren't my own. I have links to the actual projects. If you are interested, I can give you my URL.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Sandy.. yes. Grin. Parents will do it. You just have to trust them. hehehe
JJ/NM - Marva, maybe have charts on the wall of each group and jobs, projects etc...
Kathleen. - Kim. please type in your url!
Julie - I'm with you Kathy. I got permission to do away with basals and pilot this program (lit circles). We use DI at our school. Are you familiar with it? Very dull..what you say to the students is actually scripted out!
Kathy/5/IA - Sure Kim....would love the URL!
Sandy - JJ-love the charts on the wall idea! Cute!
Tracy - So what exactly is a Literature Circle?
Julie - JJ i teach 5th grade. Kim, I'd like your URL-always looking for more ideas!
Marva/Texas/3rd - JJ, I don't understand charts on the wall.... what do you mean?
Kathy/5/IA - No, not familiar with DI. Julie, did you do some actual research then when you piloted Lit. Cir. We are looking into a new reading seriew next year...and I would love to pilot Lit. Circles. (and give the research back to the committee.)
Sue/Diane/2/1/WI - JJ-please describe charts on the wall idea
Kim/KS/8th - The URL is http://www.angelfire.com/ks/teachme/teachertalk This takes you to my site. Scroll down until you come to Ideas for Teaching Reading and Literature. Then go to Literature Responses and Alternative Book Reports.
Kathy/5/IA - Kim - could you also post that on the main board???
JJ/NM - If your having 4 groups, have 4 charts with students names who are reading that book and list of the jobs to help students as well as you keep up with where everyone is.
JJ/NM - Does that make sense???
Kim/KS/8th - Kathleen, were the jobs already listed? I missed them. If they will be in the transcript, then I'll print this off later. If not, could someone tell me what they are?
Kathy/5/IA - Someone just asked about what Lit. Circles are - here is a great site: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/circle/intro.html
Julie - I did some research, and I'm reading everything I can get my hands on and constantly modifying as I pick up more info. I decided to change when my kids would hide, moan , etc when i would call a group up for reading. Since I love to read it bothered me that they hated it so much. now they moan and complain when something comes up in the schedule and we have to cancel lit circles.
Sandy - You could also make a chart for each job with a picture--I think that would help the younger kids to remember what they are supposed to be doing.
Grac - Something silly happened. My screen went blank and now I have a new name. I'm wondering how "Think Alouds" would fit into Literature Circles.
Kathleen. - Julie, very perceptive and good response to the problem!
Kathy/5/IA - Someone just asked about what Lit. Circles are - here is a great site: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/circle/intro.html
JJ/NM - Good idea Sandy! Maybe also put projects on the chart.
Christi - Has anyone ever done lit circles with first grade?
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - If you want to get out of the basal do your homework first. Principals need evidence that all the skills are being taught. Get a format for evaluationg your children. We have used a checklist generated from our frameworks. This worked fine until a new super came in. We, the entire city, must now use a basal. The year ahead is going to be interesting.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Grace, when I press refresh... the blank screen usually goes back to text
Kim/KS/8th - Kathy, I've posted it a couple of times already, but I can do it again. I just hope I don't offend someone. I made my site to share with others, though. It is geared mostly toward writing, which is my teaching strength. Since I am certified 7-12, reading is my teaching weakness. That is why I am always looking for new ideas!
Sandy - JJ- great idea about the projects on the charts--I love charts!! You might even number the projects and tell students they can pick one project from projects #1-10.
Kathy/5/IA - The jobs were listed earlier (that I use) and they are also listed on the site I just listed.
Marva/Texas/3rd - My principal doesn't care as long as we get good test scores. heh. I'm not even checking the basals out of the bookroom this year...
Kathleen. - Kim, please do share it again, new people join us everyday and everyone benefits from the networking :-)
Kathy/5/IA - The jobs were listed earlier (that I use) and they are also listed on the site I just listed.
JJ/NM - Dot, what was the Sups reasoning???
Marva/Texas/3rd - Kim you are on that teachers.net teacher web page list, aren't you?
Marva/Texas/3rd - I think lit circles will be a good way to differenciate (sp) for Gifted and Talented.
Sue/Diane/2/1/WI - What do you do with literature circles on a day that you are gone?
Kathleen. - Christi is asking if anyone has used lit circles in first grade....
Kathy/5/IA - My principal was fine with me using Lit. Circle. I check with the curriculum director also. Our superintendent came in my room right when we were handing our books back in, so I had the kids explain lit. circles to him. He seemed impressed with the technique. I still think we will be getting a new basal.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - No, I haven't used them with first grade. I haven't used them before at all.
Kathleen. - gifted, delayed, Lit Circles sound as though they would accommodate various levels, needs
Kathy/5/IA - My kids were able to go through their Lit. Cirles - even with a sub.
Marva/Texas/3rd - some one had... maybe that person left. she said she'd use them 1-6
Kathy/5/IA - Hi Tina2! Welcome to our focus session on Literature Circles.
Kathy/5/IA - My kids were able to go through their Lit. Cirles - even with a sub.
Julie - e/Diane after you get it going, even if you are gone they still work pretty well. The kids are used to running the groups themselves so from what i heard from my sub, other than the noise level didn't seem to matter that i wasn't there.
Kathleen. - With a sub would be the real test of how autonomous the students have become
Kathy/5/IA - Dot used them with 1-6. Our title teacher uses them with 3rd grade - with much success.
Kathleen. - Tina@, what grade do you teach?
Grac - At IRA I saw a presentation regarding using Literature Circles with first graders. I think one would have to have a pretty stable classroom. Could use it some years and not in others, depending on personalities.
Kathleen. - Oh, boy, I'll just bet Tina2 teaches 2nd grade!! ;-/
Julie - Grac-what is IRA?
Kathy/5/IA - I would think you could use lit circles on a small scale in 1st grade.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - Sue/Diane, I've had suggested for Writing Workshop to have a canned mini-lesson all typed out in your sub folder. They said that once the kids have the grasp of the procedures they can run things themselves. Perhaps the same kind of thing here.
Dot/E.Rdg./Ma - JJ/NM-he wanted consistency throughout the system. I wish he had gone to the principals to get some format to evaluate progress, not make us give up reading good lit.
Tina2 - 2nd, next year we will be teaching reading by flexible grouping, There are 5 groups
Kim/KS/8th - Yes, I am on the teachers.net web page list.
Kathleen. - Hi, Praline, have you any experience with Literature Circles? sounds interesting and effective
Marva/Texas/3rd - okay.. here's my schedule question again: 8:00-8:20 mini lesson, 8:20-8:50 partner, silent reading, 8:50-9:10 lit circles... What then? Where do you fit in/integrate the grammar, writing and spelling?
Kathy/5/IA - Good idea, Jimmie!
Kathy/5/IA - I would think Lit. Circles and flex grouping would go hand in hand.
Marva/Texas/3rd - flexible grouping = ability grouping at my school. We can't do it right. I try to abstain as much as possible.
Grac - Marva, I think you fit them in that 3 hour language block that you have each day.
JJ/NM - Marva, couldn't you fit those in when talking about what words the author used? Or how about Writer's Workshop??
Tina2 - I went and observed the group I will have for next year and they can already read the stories in our second half of the year from our "basal"
Kim/KS/8th - Marva, do you do lit. circles every day?
Kathy/5/IA - For alot of my grammer we do DOL. They do the sentences in the morning, then we check them later. I have a writers workshop in the afternoon.
Julie - I tale vocabualry from the books (the students get really excited when they see a vocabulary word in their lit book (they haven't seemed to figure out that is where i pull them from) Then for grammar, spelling and writing I do mini lessons
Kathleen. - Tina, so you have to be ready to challenge them. eh?
Julie - Kathy, what is DOL?
Marva/Texas/3rd - Kim I have NEVER done it. That's why I'm asking. I don't see how the schedule works.
Kathy/5/IA - Hi Dianne! Welcome to our focus session on Literature Circles. What grade do you teach?
Kathy/5/IA - DOL - Daily Oral Language.
Tina2 - ability grouping at my school too. I am excited to get this group. I want to try some interesting projects.
Marva/Texas/3rd - laugh Julie. my kids do that too. They see a word from spelling in their books and they just get excited.
Dianne - I teach 7th/8th Language ARts. I've been wanting to try lit circles but was unsure if I would teach all skills necessary for testing by the state. I also teach ability grouped classes.
Kathy/5/IA - Aren't kids wonderful!
Kim/KS/8th - Oh, sorry, Marva. I joined late and I'm not sure who all uses lit. circles. I don't either.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Dianne, our state tests stuff like main idea, summary, context clues, ... all that stuff can be done in lit circles.
Praline/3rd/LA - I HAVE TO use my basal reader.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Kim... we use a lot of whole group novels.
Kathleen. - Hi, Lori, have you tried Literature Circles?
Kim/KS/8th - Dianne, where do you teach? I am concerned about all of the assessments, too.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - I agree with Marva. If there is anything that needs to be touched upon that you feel needs to be covered, that's when you pull in into one of your mini-lessons.
Kathy/5/IA - I do use Literature Circles - with my 5th graders.
Lori5/6KS - Literature circles? Not sure what that is. I use novels in my classroom. Is that close?
JJ/NM - Can literature circles be done with multi-ability groups???? I think it's important to group different levels together.
Dianne - I teach using the basal and novels. This year I've tried to do more journals and performace based projects for assessments. It was hard to give up that teacher's manual for the basal. I teach in Illinois-they are revamping our IGAP tests.
Kathleen. - If you covered this already, I'm sorry, but is has anyone adapted basals to the Lit Circle concept?? If so, how?
Tina2 - Anyone using Scholastic Reading Series?
Julie - Dianne, i have my students keep a literature log and do some of the skills through that. I may ask them to give the main idea of what they read that day, or find do grammar activities. As for summarizing that is one of the lit circle jobs-the summarizer. I think you'll find the skills (and more) get taught
Kathy/5/IA - I'm working up a list of the skills taught in the basal this summer. Going to make some kind of checklist - to prove that I'm covering the skills.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Kim, I want to teach with lit circles... because 1) I'm bored being the center of attention with the same books year in and year out 2) I will have gifted readers PLUS my regular class next year and need a way to level the reading abilities.
DeniseF/6th/IL - JJ, a beauty of LC is that you can use it with multi-ability. It's great!
Kathleen. - JJ, I agree, mixing the ability levels would seem to enhance the experience for all students
Marva/Texas/3rd - Kathy! What a great idea... I accidently kept a basal at home .. I think I will put it to use!
Dianne - Kathy, I like your idea about the skills in the basal.
Jill/TOUCAN - Marva, I actually have not levelled books in Lit circles. I use hetrogenous groupings
Kathy/5/IA - I was also given a list of skills our district tests in our leveling test. I'll use those skill on my check list also.
Dianne - Do you have the kids grouped like they were in the old days, "Redbirds", bluebirds, etc...
Kim/KS/8th - Marva, I always keep a copy of all my texts at home. When we ordered new textbooks last year, I insisted that every teacher get two teacher's editions so we could keep one at home.
Julie - Does anyone else have to put reading levels on report cards? i have a hard time with that with literature circles.
Praline/3rd/LA - I have to put reading levels on report cards.
Lori5/6KS - We have to Julie, but this summer we get to revamp our report cards and that will be taken off.
DeniseF/6th/IL - no reading levels on report cards; missed what grade you teach, but I don't think it's necessary in middle school
Jill/TOUCAN - No we don't put reading levels, just a number indicating excellence, Very Good, good, poor, not meeting expectations
Kathy/5/IA - No, I haven't had to do that, Julie.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - No, Julie, in Irving, TX, we don't have to put specific levels on report cards. Just whether they are above level, on level, or below level.
Julie - With lit cirlces my groups change every two weeks when they pick new books so i call the group by their current book title. i also found mixed ability groups worked much better. In one cycle I made one group of all high abitility students..didn't work that well..everyone wanted to be the leader.
Kathy/5/IA - We have to use A, B, C, D, F....I don't like that!
Marva/Texas/3rd - Jill, I won't level much. But I do want to show differentiation for the gifted kids. If I wanted to ability group, I'd send my low kids out and take in other high kids from other classes like the principal expects.
Kathleen. - REMINDER: if you would like an e-mail 'certificate of participation' for this meeting, e-mail me with your name...I don't take the requests here, only be e-mail :-)
Marva/Texas/3rd - Jill, I won't level much. But I do want to show differentiation for the gifted kids. If I wanted to ability group, I'd send my low kids out and take in other high kids from other classes like the principal expects.
Kim/KS/8th - We don't put reading levels on the report card, but we do have to put them on the district portfolio card. It is a checklist of benchmarks the students have mastered--more paperwork!
Dianne - Julie, I had that problem with putting all the high ability kids together this year. They were my worst group. All chiefs and no Indians.
Lori5/6KS - I came late and am not sure what a literature circle is. Do you have groups of children each reading a different novel in their group? Sorry to be so slow with this.
Jill/TOUCAN - Isn't it funny that different schools and districts and states and countries can have such radically different practices. I would be shot if I wanted to regroup my students according to their abilities.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - I agree, Kathy. I have sometimes agonized giving a grade to a student who makes tremendous progress, but is still not up to where he or she should be. But I don't have an easier solution for report cards.
Sandy/TX - KIm--how do you assess mastery? What if a child masters a concept in November, then when tested again fails it later? We are going to a checklist and are concerend about this.
Kathy/5/IA - I use a rubric to "grade" lit. jobs etc...I does help.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Gosh, I'm like nuts about ability grouping. Everyone thinks I'm crazy.. I'm so against it. But I think some of my books will be more challenging than others.
Julie - Hi Ali!. Kathy, what are some of the categories on your rubric
Praline/3rd/LA - We have to put reading levels on the report cards and have to give the periodic tests from the basal.We also give A,B,C,d,F grades.
Kathy/5/IA - I thought I had a copy of my rubric right here. I can post in on the main board.
Roxie/5th/CA - I have never used Lit circles but want to give it a try next year with a very "mixed " group of students..... would this work?
Ali/sped/NM - Hi guys! I've been watching a while and I think this is great - I've been teaching this way for a couple years and to tell you the truth I've been wondering if I have been doing right - I think I have!
Jill/TOUCAN - I have seen the rubric used as well. I don't personally use it because I feel the discussion is the main job and the role sheets are just guides. I actually don't do too much grading with lit circles as I believe that it is a useful skill to learn how to discuss and love books.
Dianne - One of our teachers-4th grade. uses lit circles all the time. OUr administrator hates this approach and she was rated down on her evaluation for it. So it is a hard sell at our school. Can this work if everyone reads the same novel and if so isn't that just a round table discussion. Do you use journals for all of the circle books.
Kathleen. - Ali, isn't that a comforting feeling, to be validated that way? :-)
Kim/KS/8th - Sandy, we use the STAR test from Advantage Learning. We test in the fall and again in the spring. We record both scores and use the higher of the two to determine if the child has reached mastery. Do I like this system? NO! STAR does not assess reading comprehension; it assesses vocabulary only.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - Marva, you definitely have a point about grouping. But like you said, putting out different levels of books takes care of that within the room.
Julie - Marva, i was surpirsed at how helpful group members were with each other. If one kid was struggling they really offered a lot of support, read together, explained parts, etc.
Jill/TOUCAN - Dianne I think that using around a class novel would be just as effective , in fact that is how I teach the roles in the first place
Sandy/TX - Thanks Kim--we have the STAR test and may want to use it to asses some things. Good idea.
Kathleen. - creatif and Ginnie, have you ever used Literature Circles for reading instruction?
DeniseF/6th/IL - Dianne, what was principal's complaint with lit circles?
Kathy/5/IA - My kids read the same book for their first two lit. circles, but they were still in their small groups of 6. I thought I could monitor them better that way.
Dianne - No, but so much in Tiskilwa is up in the air since the consolidation with Princeton. I'm actually teaching in Malden but no one knows where that is so I always say Princeton. Do you know vicki Johnson she teaches special ed at Mendota?
Roxie/5th/CA - what is the best test of reading comprehension? anyone....?
Marva/Texas/3rd - Jimmie, thanks. Woo...for a second there I thought I'd implied I was for ability grouping. Eek. I'll do anything to avoid it. I think lit circles are definitely going to enable me to keep my kids PLUS the gifted in the same reading class.
Jill/TOUCAN - I use the Jerry Johns test for comprehension
Ginnie - I'm not sure if my conccceeept of Literature Cicles is the same as anyone else
Marva/Texas/3rd - Julie, cool. Okay. Well I haven't tried it yet. I just don't want any trouble with parents/administration.
creatif - Yes, I use them all the time.
Kathleen. - creatif, it's still a good discussion, stay with us, then watch the archive section for the transcript (left frame, scroll to the top and click on archive)
DeniseF/6th/IL - I taught the process of LC to 6th graders with quality primary books. Worked really well. I picked ones they hadn't read (Brett's The Mitten, went over well)
Dianne - I think that the way she does her lesson plans for it. It is computerized and she just fills in page numbers for it. Makes her look like she doesn't do much.
Roxie/5th/CA - Jill, where would I find the Jerry Johns test?
Kathy/5/IA - Did you have a chance to check out the site I posted on the main board, Ginnie. Lit. Circles come from a book called Literature Circles by Harvey Daniels.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Dianne, do you think it might be "her" and not literature circles?
Jill/TOUCAN - Roxie, I don't know where it came from it is a big coiled book that the resource teacher has.
Kathleen. - Ginnie, I don't think it's and "exact science", Kathy what do you think, are lit circles all done the same way or is there room for teachers' indiv. appraoches?
Kim/KS/8th - Sandy, our district invested a lot of money in STAR. It's okay for assessing vocabulary, but in my opinion there is more to reading comprehension than vocabulary. What do you think?
Jill/TOUCAN - I have the book by harvey Daniels and it is a great help!
Ginnie - I'd like to read it next year I'll be teaching 4/5 and we use short novels only for our reading
Kathy/5/IA - I would thing there is a lot of room for teachers' indiv. approaches!
Dianne - Marva, I think that it is her. She and administrator don't get along very well. I really like the idea of lit circles, I'm just insecure about doing it right.
Roxie/5th/CA - I agree Kim
Jill/TOUCAN - I think that literature circles shold be used and modified as teachers see fit. I think it can take any approach
Marva/Texas/3rd - Ginnie, I have seen lots of different models for lit. circles.
Praline/3rd/LA - Could the approach be used with a basal instead of a trade book?
DeniseF/6th/IL - excellent URL for LIT Circles: http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/mla/circle/intro.html
Jill/TOUCAN - My most successful lit circles was with a group of 1/2's!!
Ginnie - Can I wait till the end to print this I'll want to study this is good stuff
DeniseF/6th/IL - Kathy on same wave length!
creatif - This is the first time I have been in this chatroom. I am confused by the screen. Do these discussions go on daily?
Dianne - Jill, what is the name of the book that you have by Harvey Daniels? Is it along the Regie Routman lines of whole language?
Ginnie - Can you start by suggesting some short novels that would be appropriate for use in luiterature circles for 4th 5th
Kathy/5/IA - Jill - there have been teachers here wanting to know how lit. circles would work for grade 1 and 2. Could you explain more, so it's in the transcrips.
Jimmie/ESL/TX - That's the beauty of lit. circles. They can be adapted to meet such varying needs of teachers and students. That's what I keep hearing -- watch and plan according to student needs.
Marva/Texas/3rd - Oh, Dianne, there's also a book called: The Mosaic of Thought:Teaching Reading Comprehension in a Reader's Workshop. It was great. Really got you down to the necessary reading skills.
Jill/TOUCAN - Dianne It is called Literature Circles, Voice and Choice in the student centered classroom. I also love Regie Routeman!!
Kim/KS/8th - Kathleen, what is your e-mail address so I can get the certificate of participation?
Kathleen. - creatif, we have 2 or 3 live meetings each week in this room, lots of other stuff from our homepage http://www.teachers.net
Kathy/5/IA - Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student Centered Classroom by Harvey Daniels.
creatif - Ditto to Reggie Routman. What a wonderful "child-centered" author/teacher.
Dianne - How do I get a copy of this discussion? I came in late and would really like the whole thing. The books sound great-would Barnes and Noble have them?
Jill/TOUCAN - I just had white out. I think someone asked about using it with gr 1/2's. I basically used the same sheets as prescribed by Harvery Daniels in his book. We just used picture books instead ( we have multi copies) and the kids got in groups read and did the sheets and had discussions. I did a lot of whole group work before I set them out on their own.
Ginnie - Would anyone like to suggest some titles
Kathy/5/IA - The book is available at amazon.com
Julie - Marva, do you have the author's name on that book?
DeniseF/6th/IL - Another good book: Neamen, Mimi and Strong, Mary. Literature Circles: Cooperative Learning
Kathy/5/IA - Yes, Dianne - I got my book at a Barnes and Noble last year.
Ginnie - Is this Reggie a book title or author you're suggesting
Kathy/5/IA - Some titles of what, Ginnie?
Kathleen. - Kathy, maybe I can get Bob to post a link to the Amazon page for the book so that sales can help teachers.net :-)
Marva/Texas/3rd - Julie: Ellin Oliver Keene and Susan Zimmerman
Kathy/5/IA - Good idea, Kathleen...any thing to help out teachers.net!!!
Dianne - Do you grade the kids on a rubric? By points? How do you keep up with the paperwork of reading their journals and responding?
Jill/TOUCAN - Another great book although not directly related to lit circles is called In the Compnay of Children by Joanne Hindley
creatif - Do you do alot of "activities" with kids in lit. circles. I used to but they want to "read" and I find I don't get quality projects if kids feel rushed. I would feel the same way. I have greatest success when I vary my approach. Kids just want to respond to the book.
Ginnie - Do you have any titles to suggest for use with 4th and 5th graders to use for Literature Discussion
Marva/Texas/3rd - okay.. how do you judge if a book is appropriate for students? I mean... you want quality childrens literature... Would you allow a 3rd grader to read A Wrinkle in Time?
JJ/NM - So what books would be good to start out with say in 2/3??
Kathleen. - If you have great book titles, send them to me for our book store links
Praline/3rd/LA - I have been picked to go to a 7 -day workshop on "balanced reading" . Maybe LC will come up.
JJ/NM - So what books would be good to start out with say in 2/3??
Dianne - Do you let the kids choose any book to read and respond to?
Hmmr - Kathleen did you get that Mosaic of Thought book I mentioned? It is the best teaching book I've read
Ginnie - can anyone suggest 4th 5th grade titles
Kathy/5 - I'm giving short inservices in my area this summer on Literature circles
Marva - Hee hee I"m like 3 people here now. JJ, I"m starting with beverly cleary books...
Kathleen - Hmmr, no I didn't get that title, would you e-mail me with the title and any info you have kat@teachers.net, thanks!
Dianne/7&8 - Marva, what happened here. I'm the same Dianne too.
Marva - Ginnie, some fourth grade teachers I know did a mystery theme in October.. They used bunnicula, and the westing game and I don't know the other... I'm copying their idea, but I dont' know if the westing game is appropriate for 3rd.
glondie - Does anyone have any good ideas for multiple intelligence activities dealing with the theme community helpers?
Kathy/5 - I started collecting books for next year. I got a set of 3 historical fiction books on the Civil War. Don't know the titles off the top of my head, but the SS teacher does the Civil war - so I thought we could go with that theme as one of my themes/.
Ginnie - bring in some perople ffrom the community
Dianne/7&8 - Is it easier to do the lit circles by themes?
Kathleen - glondie, an itneresting question...how about posting on the chatboards for information? I can help you if you need it.
Kathy/5 - The Houdini Box is a good book for the Oct. Magic theme.
Praline/3rd/LA - Sounds good Kathy.
Marva - kathy, I've seen lots of gooood books on WWII.. I even saw an easy book that was highly regarded.. Snow Treasure
CELLENT! Hopefully, - Thanks for all the great info everyone. Unfortunately my alarm will be going off in few hours so i need to log off. I hope this topic comes up in live discussion again it was GREAT!
Marva - kathy, will you post your rubric?
Kathy/5 - Yes, I started building a WWII set also. I love Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. I have some others in that set also.
Praline/3rd/LA - Snow treasure is great Marva
Dianne/7&8 - Is it easier to do lit circles by themes? I hope this one gets on the board.
Kathy/5 - Yes, I will - Marva
Marva - Oh good, Praline. I just had reviews on it, not "real teacher" approval. thanks.
Ginnie - how do u handle it when you have chosen a book and a few in class have alreaady read it
Kathy/5 - My Lit. Circles didn't really follow a theme this year. I was pretty limited on books.
Praline/3rd/LA - I don"t know if I can read SADAKo... without crying...
Marva - Dianne, I would like to have something to tie the books together as a class.
Kathleen - Is it any problem if some kids have already read the book?
CELLENT! Hopefully, - now how did my name get changed to cellent? (was Julkie-laugh). Another great WW2 book is Number the Stars, also Mieko's 5th treasure
Praline/3rd/LA - Marva Snow treasure might be high level for 3rd grade.
Kathy/5 - I know I can't read it with out crying! We did a great project 2 years ago where we actually sent cranes to Hiroshima for Peace Day!
Marva - Praline.. You think so? Okay.
Kathy/5 - Those are great books, too - Julie!
Dianne/7&8 - I have lots of novels that could cross grades/themes. Is it difficult to do that many novels with one class? Would I just act as facilitator?
Jimmie/TX - Kathy, great idea!
Praline/3rd/LA - Number is my favorite book of ALL.
Kathy/5 - Yes, Dianne - in Lit. Circles the teacher is more of a guide at the side
Kathleen - - Is it any problem if some kids have already read the book?
Dianne/7&8 - Number the stars is one of the best books ever!
Kathy/5 - We had a great time with the Crane project!
Marva - Kathy, our grade level sets, so I'm building my themes with those books as base. Like we have 30 copies of ramona the pest, so I'm just supplying the other 3 books in cleary theme. I think it's going to work out.
Dianne/7&8 - I must sound awfully dumb about all of this!?
Praline/3rd/LA - Marva it would depend on your kids .You would have to read it yourself.
Kathy/5 - Yes, that would work great, Marva!
Marva - Kathleen, that happens alot. Only thing it messes up is predicting outcomes.
Dianne/7&8 - Do you choose the books or the do the kids?
Kathy/5 - No, you don't Dianne!
Jimmie/TX - Kathleen, I don't really know if it matters if the kids have already read a book. But since in most cases they will have choices available, they could be steered toward a book they haven't read.
Kathleen - Thanks, Marva ;-)
Jimmie/TX - Bye, Julie/Cellent. :)
Kathleen - and jimmie ;-)
Marva - Praline, it looked pretty acessible, but I only perused it. I'm mostly worried about The Westing Game. But I figure some of these kids are supposed to be gifted. Never had gifted kids before, so I dunno. heh
Kathy/5 - I chose the books this year. Will probably keep doing that. I teach two sections of 5th - so I have the same three titles going for each section. That way I need at least 12 of one title. Easier for me to pick the books. I use my book orders alot!
Dianne/7&8 - Thanks Kathy. I've been teaching 7 years and still have a lot to learn. I do like using novels and basels, but I know there must be a better way than doing one book for the whole class and the little manufactured units that go along with them. I'm gettin bored with that.
Kathleen - Kathy, I have to leave, this was another great topic!!! Thanks to everyone who participated (stay as long as you like! It's 10:30 pm here,my eyes are heavy 8-|)
Jimmie/TX - Kathy, do all of your students read all three titles, or do they choose the one they want to read?
Marva - Dianne!!! Gosh... I am too! I will get sick if I have to lead the whole class in Charlotte's Web again this year!!!!
Kathy/5 - I was bored with that, too - Dianne (basalizing novels) Lit. Circles have been just what i was looking for.
Praline/3rd/LA - Kathy ,that is how I build a classroom library, with my bonus points.I have over 200 saved for next year.
Kathy/5 - We rotated the 3 books so they all got to read all three.
Kathy/5 - Bonus points are great!
Dianne/7&8 - So how do you do the discussions? And what do you do about the kid (s) who prefer the reading book?
Marva - It's scary to try something new.
Kathy/5 - Dianne - My groups meet in their Lit. Circles onMon. Wed. and Fri. On Tues./Thurs we do mini lessons, etc..
Kathy/5 - Have you checked the Lit. Circle site I posted on the main board, Dianne? It explains a lot of Lit. Circles.
Marva - Dianne, Kathy said that in the lit circle, each child has a job... so that's how the discussion goes
Jimmie/TX - Kathy, I checked that site earlier this week. It's really excellent. But I haven't gotten to read everything yet.
Kathy/5 - Yes, there are 6 jobs (even more in the book) Each student has a job for each session.
Dianne/7&8 - No, I haven't checked the board. I will be sure to do that tomorrow. Thanks.
Kathy/5 - The site has just about everything in Daniel's book.
Kathy/5 - Sure....teach@willinet.net I would love to chat with you more about Lit. Circles
Marva - I'm interested in your assessment rubric. I think I have one for response journals, But I'd like one for the discussion group as well.
Dianne/7&8 - I'd like to see the rubrics also. Are those on the post?
Kathy/5 - I'll post my rubric on the main board. I used a lot of diffenent ideas I found on the net. I'm sure it's not perfect yet!!!
Kathy/5 - I try to use the same rubric for all written work in my class that I need to "grade".
Marva - okay I think I have a handle on this, I want to use centers too though, because of my 4 computers. I have to figure out how to work in independent work.
Jimmie/TX - And so goes the life of a teacher, Kathy...adapt, modify, revise.
Kim/KS/8th - I would like the assessment rubrics as well.
Marva - of course, I could do lit circles half the nine weeks, and then do a technology unit the second half.
Kathy/5 - Yep, you're right, Jimmie!!!
Marva - Kathy, I'm trying to invent some type of hyperstudio response journal the groups could work on together. I will have the basic outline, but students will fill in illustrations and their own comments....something.
Dianne/7&8 - This has been very interesting. I will definitely look at your posts on the chatboard and I'm looking forward to seeing the rubrics. I have to go now. My Scottie has just been sprayed for the second time in two weeks by a skunk. Thanks again for all your comments and advice. I'm off to bathe the hound.
Kathy/5 - It was a great session!
