Literature Circles
Literature Circles
Literature Circles form cooperative reading and talking teams during which the students relate to a common text. They strengthen critical thinking, boost understanding, and cultivate reading culture by a switch (carefully planned) allowing students to take different parts that lead their conversations and interpretations.
What are the roles typically assigned in Literature Circles?
In Literature Circles, the children routinely assume distinct roles such as Discussion Director, Vocabulary Enricher, Connector, Summarizer and Illustrator. Every single function has its own different responsibilities that help the text groups get a better understanding of the reading; for instance, the Discussion Director raises open questions for stimulating discussion, whereas the Vocabulary Enricher points out some difficult words and expressions to be learned, thus, enriching their vocabulary.
How do Literature Circles benefit students' reading comprehension?
Literature Circles are a means of helping students increase their reading comprehension due to the collaborative dialogue that happens between them. This collaboration gives students the opportunity to express their thinking, which they have involved, to other students' talk that is not like theirs, and to solve their problems, thus the students´ connection with the text is deepened. For example, while having a talk with the group about the themes of a book, the students can relate it to their own lives, and hence, it is no longer foreign to them but rather familiar and simpler.
Can Literature Circles be used in diverse educational settings?
Of course, Literature Circles can be fruitfully put into practice at various educational environments such as elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as in adult learning programs. Their adaptability is excellent, and they can be associated with different reading levels and texts. Consequently, they are well suited for different student populations. In actual teaching practices, for instance, teachers can apply the use of simplified texts for the first graders, while, at the same time, providing complex literature to the advanced learners, thus ensuring inclusivity in the classroom.
What types of texts are best suited for Literature Circles?
Literature Circles can be implemented effectively with texts that tell interesting stories and raise great questions, like novels, short stories, or nonfiction articles that stimulate discussions. Choose texts that have deep themes and character transformations like the books 'Wonder' by R.J. Palacio and 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry, because they lead the students to investigate the quest for hidden meanings and moral dilemmas, and, therefore, nurture active discussions.