Literature circles are common practice among language arts teachers as a way of introducing, delving into, and analyzing literature. Lit circles provide students with organizational skills and ownership. In my literature circles, students get to make their calendar, select the number of pages they are reading a night, choose among several high-interest, multicultural books, and create questions and reflections with their group members. The students get the value and freedom of complete ownership over their reading and discussion.
Read moreRoles or No Roles? Answering That Age-Old Literature Circles Question.
I value collaboration and discussion in my classroom, and I begin to foster that discussion and open collaboration from day one. Still, when it comes to literature circles, I frequently get the question about how to utilize roles. I struggle to answer this question because, honestly, I don't use them. (*gasp*) I know. I'm living dangerously!
I have several reasons I don't use roles during lit circles, and to me, the benefits outweigh the negatives.
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