Literature Circles : Voice and Choice in Book Clubs and Reading Groups

by Daniels, Harvey

• ISBN13: 9781571103338
• ISBN10: 1571103333
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-11-01
• Publisher: STENHOUSE PUBLISHERS

Summary

What do we know about literature circles now that we didn't understand eight or ten years ago? What new resources and procedures can help teachers organize their classroom book clubs better? What are the most common pitfalls in implementing student-led discussion groups? And getting beyond the basics, what do mature or "advanced" literature circles look like?In this thoroughly revised and expanded guide, you will find new strategies, structures, tools, and stories that show you how to launch and manage literature circles effectively. Advanced variations are explored and include alternatives to role sheets and flexible new guidelines for their use.The second edition includes: four different models for preparing students for literature circles using response logs, sticky notes, and newly designed role sheets; dozens of variations on the basic version of student-led bookclubs; new models and procedures for primary, intermediate, and high school grades; new materials for assessing and grading literature circles; an inventory of common management problems and solutions; new scheduling patterns for group meetings and reading time; ideas for using literature circles with nonfiction texts across the curriculum; research on literature circles, including correlation with increased achievement on standardized tests; an explanation of how literature circles match with the national standards for literacy education.With detailed examples provided by twenty practicing teachers, Harvey Daniels offers practical and concrete suggestions for each aspect of book club management and proven solutions for problems that arise.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Contributing Teachers	xi
Welcome to Literature Circles	1	(16)
The literature circles boom
Problems with literature circles
Learning by doing
A Closer Look: Literature Circles Defined	17	(13)
Eleven key ingredients
How literature circles fit in a balanced reading program
Ancient History and Current Research	30	(10)
Book clubs come to school
Independent reading
Collaborative learning
Reader response literary criticism
Looking into Literature Circles	40	(14)
Marianne Flanagan, fifth grade
Theresa Kubasak, third grade
Nancy Steineke, freshmen
Getting Started: Preparing and Orienting Students	54	(22)
Quick training
Training using a whole-class novel and Post-it notes
Training using a short story, novel sets, and response logs
Training using short stories, a novel, and role sheets
Forming, Scheduling, and Managing Groups	76	(16)
Group size and formation
Helping kids pick books
The teacher's role in student choice
Scheduling
Setting a meeting calendar and ending date
How many literature circles per year?
Using time within literature circle meetings
Book projects
Books and Materials	92	(41)
Books: quantity, quality, and levels
Reading response logs
Post-it notes
Assessment tools
Clipboards
Role sheets
Discarded roles
Primary-Grade Applications	133	(13)
Literature circles in primary grades
A kindergarten model: Mary Ann Pegura
First-grade models: Lynn Cherkasky and Norma Rocha-Cardenas
A second-grade model: Angie Bynum
Literature circles in kindergarten and third grade: Debbie Gurvitz
Intermediate-Grade Applications	146	(13)
Sara Nordlund and Melissa Woodbury
Teresa Bond Fluth
Middle and High School Applications	159	(16)
Margaret Forst
Nancy Steineke
Sharon Weiner
Teachers and Parents as Readers	175	(10)
South Ocean Middle School
Finding time for reading
Starting your own teacher reading group
Parents as readers
Assessment: Record Keeping, Evaluation, and Grading	185	(15)
Principles of constructive assessment
Assessing kids' growth in literature circles
Grading literature circles
Conferences
Portfolios
A note on record keeping
Nonfiction Literature Circles: Moving Across the Curriculum	200	(20)
Three versions of nonfiction lit circles
Kathy LaLuz, seventh grade
Marline Pearson, criminology
Judith Alford, fifth grade
Troubleshooting and Problem Solving	220	(19)
A typology of common problems
Questions and concerns
Appendix A: Literature Circle Workshops for Teachers and Parents	239	(5)
Appendix B: Research on Best Practice Cluster Schools	244	(2)
Appendix C: Book Lists: Literature Circle Favorites	246	(4)
References	250	(5)
Index	255