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Re: Try these links...more inside
Posted by cam on 7/19/08
I teach 5th, and my first attempt at lit circles, like yours,
was not stellar. This past year, however I did things
differently, and had each child accountable for a particular
task, which floated from one discussion meeting to the next.
I did not have reading time in class. I devoted about 40 mins
to an hour 2 or 3 times a week to the circles. I "made time"
for my lit circles between reading themes, and insorporated
grammar instruction within the circle, by having the kids work
w/ vocabulary from the story, etc. The following link was
especially helpful.
http://www.teacherweb.com/WQ/middleschool/LiteratureCircles/h1.stm
Hope it works for you!
On 7/15/08, GA/8 wrote:
> I've been teaching 8th grade language arts for 5 years,
> and desperately want to implement literature circles in my
> classroom. I have tried to implement them several times
> in the past 5 years, but something always seems to get in
> the way (i.e. lack of time, lack of resources, lack of
> proper 'teaching' of how to do literature circles, etc.).
> I am DETERMINED this will be the year that literature
> circles come to life in my room.
>
> That said, here are my issues:
> 1. I teach 60 minute classes (4 per day) of Language
> Arts, so am required to teach reading, writing, and
> grammar curriculum. Time is an issue, particularly during
> the 1st semester when our curriculum is VERY focused on
> expository and persuasive writing. Where do you find the
> time?
>
> 2. Every time that I have attempted to 'do' lit. circles,
> students inevitably don't talk about their books. HOW do
> you get it into their heads that this is the time to talk
> about the book they chose, rather than the party on
> Friday? I've tried the 'role' sheets, I've tried reading
> logs...but they inevitably just don't talk about what they
> are supposed to talk about.
>
> 3. What do you do about the students or groups that just
> don't read the book?
>
> 4. Do you allow reading time in class or is reading for
> lit. circles to be on the student's own time (again, class
> time is an issue--I'm trying to figure out silent reading
> time, but don't know if I can swing it daily).
>
> I do have decent collection of books that I can use (about
> 15 different titles, with 10-20 copies per title
> available). I know that choice is key, and the books that
> I used last year for lit. circles, most of my students
> said that they were good books that they enjoyed.
>
> ANY and ALL tidbits of advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
Literature Circles
Posts on this thread, including this one
- Lit. Circles--talk to me..., 7/15/08, by GA/8.
- Re: Lit. Circles--talk to me..., 7/15/08, by in the same boat.
- Re: Lit. Circles--talk to me..., 7/15/08, by Chele/5/SoCal.
- Re: Try these links...more inside, 7/19/08, by cam.
- Re: Try these links...more inside, 7/21/08, by JGS.
- Re: Abandon literary circles , 7/21/08, by L. Swilley .
- Re: Abandon literary circles , 7/21/08, by Confused.
- Re: Confused, 7/21/08, by Really? I thought Swilley was very clear + on target! nfm.
- Re: research points to the value of student based learning, 7/21/08, by cam.
- Re: research points to the value of student based learning, 7/21/08, by JGS.
- Re: Chele--Lit. Circles--talk to me..., 7/21/08, by Wanda.
- Re: Chele--Lit. Circles--talk to me... for Wanda, 7/21/08, by Chele/5/SoCal.
- Re: Implementing Lit. Circles, 7/24/08, by Laura.
- Re: Implementing Lit. Circles - Q for Laura, 7/24/08, by new teacher.
- Re: Implementing Lit. Circles - I'm not Laura, but... :D, 7/24/08, by Chele/5/SoCal.
- Re: Implementing Lit. Circles - Q for Laura, 7/25/08, by JGS.
- Re: Implementing Lit. Circles - Q for Laura, 7/25/08, by Laura.
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