[MOSAIC] Reading Literacy and Literature Circles

[Marg Epp]

I agree that literature circles can be a great way to hand over some
responsibility to students and provide a venue for them to have choice,
become engaged in reading, AND form a community of learners AND use MOT
strategies.  I know that sounds all nice and happy, but it works.  I did
graduate work around literature circles and what kids' perceptions are.
Their reflections were insightful and made perfect sense.  For example,
one grade 5 student wrote that "in literature circles, you get to see
what people are really like.  So maybe you wouldn't normally hang out
with that person because you didn't think you'd like him/her, but in a
literature circle, you see another side of that person and you get to
talk about stuff that matters in life and you get to know them". 
Presently I work as a Learning Support Facilitator with teachers in my
school division and we have a partnership with the University of
Saskatchewan College of Education. We are involved in a research project
in which teacher candidates from a Social Studies methods class make
weekly visits to various classrooms (so far grades 5,6, and 7) and
participate in intergenerational literature circles.  The teacher
candidates are always blown away by the depth of the discussions that
young students have.  One of my pet peeves is when I hear teachers say,
"Yes, but that only works with some kids.  Mine couldn't handle it."  It
takes work, but is well worth it.  So...long live literature circles!
Marg Epp
Learning Support Facilitator
Prairie Spirit School Division
Warman, Saskatchewan
Canada
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