Literature Circles

[Unregistered]

I am a third year teacher for fourth grade. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions/great ideas for literature circles. I would love to hear what you have used that works and keeps all the students engaged in their group discussions.

I look forward to hearing from you!
Thanks,
Amy

[Tara]

I always have students given students jobs in the circle. We have a leader, recorder, word specialist (looks up words we don't know), and the graphic designer. It works well!

Does anyone use other jobs?

[JoAnn]

I got this idea from one of the workshops I attended on Lit. Circles. This is good for any grade level.
1. Fold a piece of paper into 4's
2. In each box write one of these story elements: Setting, Characters, Plot or Event, Vocabulary, Author's Style, etc. You can also use pictures for the younger students, Special Ed, or ESL.
3. You assign the students to count off 1,2,3,4, 1,2,3,4... all of the 1's do the Setting block, All of the 2's do the Characters block, and so on.
4. The students are given time to read and write down words, phrases, sentences, comments, and the page # referrenced for this information.
5. You can have all of the same numbers sit together after they read to complete their block, then make up a new group with one from each specific block. (Like the Jig-saw method)
6) An alternate method you may use is folding the paper into strips of 4, labeling each with the same story elements, then cutting them into "Bookmarks" that the children can write on as they read. It can also be used as a bookmark if you end the lesson before they finish, and it can be completed at home.
Hope this helps!
:)

[Unregistered]

I ordered a 7.95 book from Scholastic, reading workshop revisted, it has activities that will keep them busy.

[Unregistered]

This site is for middle school, but it could be adapted. It lists other jobs and has handouts.

http://www.create.cett.msstate.edu/create/classroom/lplan_view.asp?articleID=57

[Unregistered]

This is bet best professional book about Literature Circles I have seen.

Literature Circles by Harvey Daniels

It has everything and can be used for teachers of all grades. It provided numerous ideas to try, cross-curricular idea, non-fiction lit cirlces and how roles are used to keep the kids reading and on task.

I have been using these ideas for over two years and my reading program is stronger than ever.

[Unregistered]

please suggest a TITLE for a medical school magazine...
it contains ...college activities n about students..
fun..funny articles.....stories about students
i would like to have a SPICY as well as BRAND NEW title
related to medical field...like CHIASMA... SYNAPSE..
my email id is sasi_92@yahoo.com