Literature
Circle
The literature circle is
a student centered cooperative learning reading activity for a group of
four to six students at any grade level or subject area.
Each member of a circle is
assigned a specific role, with specific responsibilities, which are used
guide the group in a discussion of the text material they are all reading.
Literature circles provide a way
for students to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read,
discuss, and respond to books. Students reshape and add onto their
understanding as they construct meaning with other readers in their group.
The literature circle
assignments or roles guide students to deeper understanding of what they
read through structured discussion and extended written and artistic
response. Literature circles provide a constructive educational
opportunity for students to control their own learning as they share
thoughts, concerns and their understanding of the concepts, events, and
material presented in the material being read. The benefits of literature
circles include:
1. Help to teach, not merely check,
comprehension
2. Allow you to teach many facets of
comprehension
3. Encourage students to learn from one
another
4. Motivate students naturally
5. Promote discussion more effectively
than whole groups (Day 2002)
Literature circles can be known
by many different names including: literature studies, literacy circles,
book clubs, literature discussion groups, book clubs, and cooperative book
discussion groups.
According to Schlick, Noe, and
Johnson (1999), a literature circle is more than a book club. Where as a
book club's discussion only centers on events and plot, a literature
circle format promotes discussion from varying perspectives, which
provides members with a deeper understanding of the text. During the
reading of the selected literature, students complete various jobs
emphasizing skills such as questioning, vocabulary development, and
writing (MCPS 2000).
The students in their
cooperative groups have an opportunity to share material gathered from
their assigned or role and have a focused discussion of the material they
are reading with their other group members with the teacher acting as a
guide or facilitator.
