What are literature circles?
Literature circles are one key component of a comprehensive reading program. Here are some common questions about the benefits of literature circles in the classroom.
What are the benefits of using literature circles in the classroom?
Specifically, during literature circles, small groups of students work together to dig deeper into a piece of literature. Literature circles provide the structure for students to critically think about and reflect on their reading.
The focal point of literature circles is the discussion because literature circles encourage natural discussion and excitement for books. At the same time, students grow as readers.
What does a student do during literature circles?
During literature circles, a student becomes part of a group focusing on just one book. Each student has a responsibility to the group. They are assigned a role (or job) that changes for each meeting. They share their observations about the book and their specific role. As students share responses to their reading, the focus of the discussion may come alive and change in the moment. This is the perfect scenario because students are connecting with the book, which is the goal.
Can literature circles be part of a comprehensive reading program?
Absolutely! One of the main benefits of literature circles is that when students participate in a group setting and have expected goals to meet, they are more likely to hold their thinking about the book and to be prepared, which means they actually read the book. They make connections to the book because they’ve had to interact with it and then discuss it. Check out this blog post about 5 reasons to use literature circles in the classroom.
Why is discussing a book so important?
It’s the active, engaged discussion that’s really a key benefit to literature circles because when we hold discussions, we find that others may have a different understanding of the same text. Because students have had a group experience including discussions and different ideas about the same text, the skill of thinking about the text on their own is more likely to transfer to students, which increases comprehension.
How do literature circles differ from independent reading?
As teachers, many of us have experienced a student saying “I don’t remember what I read.” During independent reading, which often requires less engagement with the text, this is not uncommon. When reading an independent book, many students do not slow down to make connections to the text because they are reading the book in their heads with less accountability to others.
During literature circles, students are more likely to stop and consider an action, to make an observation and a connection because they are accountable to the other members of the group. In literature circles, students discuss their take on a scene or a character or a conflict or some part of the book that got them wondering or thinking. Check out this comprehensive resource with everything you’ll need to use literature circles in your classroom.
It’s this accountability to their group members that is the main benefit of literature circles because it helps students realize that their reading, their work, and their thoughts matter. Their group listens to their ideas. Students also recognize that it’s actually fun to discuss and debate the reading. They may revise their thinking based on the discussion and discover new ideas or ways of thinking. This is harder to do with an independent novel, outside of literature circles.
This is the heart of literature circles. And this is the purpose for the preparation it takes to make literature circles work in the classroom. Stay tuned for detailed blog posts on all aspects of getting started with literature circles. Check out these other blog posts about using literature circles in the classroom.
Next up: How long should literature circles run?
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Sally says
I’m starting literature circles in January. Thank you for the great ideas and tips!
Sally
Michelle says
Literature circles are so engaging for students.