Literature Teachers Chatboard

next post

skip topic

Print | Share | Report Post

Re: Try these links...more inside
Posted by JGS on 7/21/08

My experience with Literature CIrcles has been mostly with 4th
and 5th graders. I have had some disappointments and some
magical moments. I think you have to tolerate one to get the
other. Many of my management techniques mirror what chele
said. I would make one suggestion about the choice process.
Often times, it seems the kids can't get into the book soon
enough to grab their interest. I would read aloud the first
chapter of each book to the students. That will help in the
selection process and get them on their way.

Another thing I have added to help with accountability is a
response log. For many books, I have created one specific to
the book. I also have created a rather generic one that can go
with most any book. When I say Response Log, I do not meet
blank pages where they write reflections about their reading.
They may write reflections, but I have specific questions they
must respond to. I usually have a page where they keep track
of new vocabulary, something on character traits, etc. I would
be happy to send you an example if you want to email me.

I also require a project at the end. I give each student a
Choicboard (Some call it a menu) that has a variety of project
choices to fit different learning styles. I usually wait to
mid way through the study for this.

I don't know if you keep a class web site or send home
newsletters, but letting the parents know that you are doing
literature circles, telling them their child should be reading
each night, the date the book should be finished, and even
posting the project sheet on your web site can go a long way
toward student involvement.

Like one of your other posters, I would imbed my language
skills in the books.

On 7/19/08, cam wrote:
> 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.s
tm
> 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.


RESPOND TO THIS POST START A NEW THREAD RETURN TO CHATBOARD




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.