Lit circles
- 2. Defining Literature Circles 1. Students choose their own reading materials
- 3. Defining Literature Circles 2. Small temporary groups are formed, based upon book choice
- 4. Defining Literature Circles 3. Different groups read different books
- 5. Defining Literature Circles 4. Groups meet on a regular, predictable schedule to discuss their reading
- 6. Defining Literature Circles 5. Kids use written or drawn notes to guide both their reading and discussion
- 7. Defining Literature Circles 6. Discussion topics come from the students
- 8. Defining Literature Circles 7. Group meetings aim to be open, natural conversations about books, so personal connections, digressions, and open-ended questions are welcome
- 9. Defining Literature Circles 8. In newly-forming groups, students may play a rotating assortment of task roles
- 10. Defining Literature Circles 9. The teacher serves as a facilitator, not a group member or instructor
- 11. Defining Literature Circles 10. Evaluation is by teacher observation and student self- evaluation
- 12. Defining Literature Circles 11. A spirit of playfulness and fun pervades the room
- 13. Defining Literature Circles 12. When books are finished, readers share with their classmates, and then new groups form around new reading choices
- 14. Recommended Booklist for Literature Circles in Early Childhood Education Bos, Bev. (1978). Don’t Move the Muffin Tins: A Hands-Off Guide to Art for the Young Child. Del Mar Ray, FL: Burton Gallery. Carlson, Frances. (2006). Essential Touch: Meeting the Needs of Young Children. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. Cazden, Courtney. (2001). Classroom Discourse: The Language of Teaching & Learning (2nd ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Clark, Ron. (2004) The Essential 55: An Award-winning Educator’s Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child. NY: Hyperion. Codell, Esme Raji. (1999). Educating Esme: Diary of a Teacher’s First Year. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin. Daniels, Harvey. (2002). Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student- Centered Classroom Portland, ME: Stenhouse. Derman-Sparks (1989). Anti-Bias Curriculum: Tools for Empowering Young Children. Washington, DC: National Association for Education of Young Children.
- 15. Recommended Booklist for Literature Circles in Early Childhood Education (continued) Diffily, Deborah. (2003). Teachers and Families Working Together. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon. Harms, Thelma; Clifford, Richard M; & Cryer, Debby. (1998). Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. NY: Teachers College Press. Helm, J.H., & Katz, L. (2001). Young Investigators: The Project Approach in the Early Years. NY: Teacher’s College Press. Kostelnik, M.J., Soderman, A.K., & Whiren, A.P. (2004). Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum: Best Practices in Early Childhood Education 3rd edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Mooney, C.G. (2000). Theories of Childhood: An Introduction to Dewey, Montessori, Erikson, Piaget, & Vygotsky. St Paul: Red Leaf Press. Lillard, Angeline. (2005). Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius. NY: Oxford University Press. Wong, Harry. (1991). The First Days of School. San Francisco: Harry Wong Publications.