Literature Circles

Gilham Elementary School
 

Literature circles will be one of the ways reading instruction occurs in our fourth grade classrooms. Students will be in a smaller instructional group where effective discussion skills will be modeled and practiced. Students will have the opportunity to become actively involved in what they are reading by making text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connections. The connections made through the literature will be reflected upon. recorded and discussed in the literature circle. As a result of these connections, students will be encouraged to ask questions and make predictions throughout the literature.

Why is this project important?

Literacy is our focus at Gilham Elementary School. Our fourth grade students receive instruction in phonics and from our basal reader. We wish to expand our curriculum by including literature circles to help students construct meaning from text in a collaborative manner. Involvement in literature circles will strengthen understanding and involve students in real life reading situations.

Who, and how many will be served?

Fourth grade classes, approximately 100 students, will benefit from the literature circles. Each year, following our implementation year, fourth grade students will participate in literature circles.

How will you evaluate the success of this project?

Student progress will be monitored by classroom teachers using the 4-J District Reading Kit. A survey will also be given to each participating student to assess reading attitude toward involvement in the literature circles.

Does this proposal build upon existing programs at your school?

Literature circles are being explored by teachers and used minimally due to lack of appropriate level book sets.

How will the funds be spent?

Purchase of teacher resource materials and book sets.