Literacy+Across+the+Curriculum

=Literacy Across The Curriculum=



﻿ Three Different Styles of Literature Circles || Talking Sticks Literature Circle : This model is a slight variation of basic Literature Circles. Students read their books independently for several days, completing a [|Response Bookmark] each day. Also, throughout the week they jot down questions that they want to discuss on their Literature Circle meeting day (Fridays work well for me as a meeting day). Just before meeting with the group, the teacher posts a journal prompt and each person writes a response in their journal. Possible questions: After students write their responses, put them in groups of 3 or 4 students. Choose a leader for each group, and give the leader a copy of the [|Talking Sticks Literature Circle] directions. You'll need a plastic cup and 2 popsicle sticks or craft sticks for each team member. Ask the leaders to read the directions aloud so the group can follow them. The Talking Sticks feature is a discussion regulator. When a group member wants to add to the discussion, he or she holds out a stick and puts it in the cup. When they run out of sticks, they have to be quiet until everyone else uses their sticks. When that happens, the leader passes out the sticks again and the discussion continues. Note: Remind students not to tap the sticks or play with them during the meeting. The sticks stay on the table until the student wants to contribute to the discussion. As the students meet to discuss the book, circulate through the room to observe their discussions and interactions. When each group appears to be finished, check in with them as they decide how many pages to read before the next meeting. In 5th grade, I encourage them to set their goals for about 15 to 20 pages a day. Any more than that and kids start falling behind. Reading less than 15 to 20 pages will result in boredom for most of the group.
 * What do you will predict will happen in the rest of the book? Give details to support your answer.
 * What obstacles did the main character have to overcome? How did he or she overcome those obstacles?
 * What fear did the main character face? How did he or she overcome his or her fear?
 * Do you like the way the book ended? Why or why not?
 * What advice would you give to the main character?
 * || Nonfiction Literature Circles: Last year I began to do Literature Circles with nonfiction books, and at first I used the same basic format as my fiction circles. Then I realized that nonfiction books are different and the meeting structure could benefit from some tweaking. First of all, I developed some [|Nonfiction Response Questions] for their Reading Response Logs. Then I decided to allow students to read together every day since the text is generally more difficult for them. They don't do well with reading on their own when the vocabulary is so challenging. They also seem to like to talk about all the new things they are learning. So now we have what we call "reading days" and what we call "meeting days." On the reading days they simply read together and take notes on what they are reading. They may stop and discuss the material, but they shouldn't get bogged down for too long. When they finish the book, we schedule a Meeting Day. They have to write a response in their Response Log prior to the meeting. On the day of the meeting they read their responses and discuss what they thought of the book. I try to meet with each group for a few minutes, and I generally have [|Discussion Cards] that they discuss together. I prepare a different set of question cards for each book, and the questions guide them through some of the more important points of the book. (See sample - [|Whales and Dolphins]). Finally, they take their AR test on the book and complete the [|Nonfiction Reflection Form]. ||
 * Mini Literature Circles: Are you required to use a basal reading program in your classroom? Many programs have leveled readers that can be used as a way of introducing Literature Circles. Leveled readers are thin paperback stories or nonfiction selections, and they are written on a variety of reading levels. A Mini Literature Circle can be done in one or two days depending on the time allowed. Assign 3 or 4 students to a leveled reader based on their reading level. Alternatively, allow students to browse through the selection and choose the group they want to join. If you have 6 or 7 copies of each book, split the group in half for the Literature Circle discussion since the groups seem to work best with 3 or 4 students. Give class time for students to read the leveled reader alone, with a partner, or with audio support. Then provide a Journal Prompt such as the ones described in the section above. Allow class time to write a response, then form discussion groups. Print out the [|Mini Literature Circle] directions, and give to one person in each group who will serve as the discussion leader. Each person will need 2 popsicle sticks or craft sticks for the Talking Sticks discussion method used in this activity. As the students meet to discuss the book, circulate through the room to observe their discussions and interactions. ||