Coach: Esther Ohito, John J. Pershing West Middle School Adaptable for grade levels: 4-8 Key Subject Area(s): Language Arts Also incorporates: Social Studies
Study Group Teaching Method Description:
Literature circles are an ideal way to build critical thinking and reading comprehension skills in adolescent readers, and the cooperative setting offers students the choices and voice they are so eager to have. Members of this Study Group will obtain a toolbox of reading strategies in order to understand and successfully implement literature circles in their classrooms. Members will also explore both adult and children’s literature by participating in a book club.
A literature circle is a reading activity where a group of four to six students, each of whom has been assigned a particular role, gathers together to explore, discuss, and analyze a text. Literature circles can be particularly successful with young adolescent readers because they place students “in charge of leading their own discussions as well as making decisions for themselves,” according to Claudia Peralta-Nash, Claudia and Julie A. Dutch, authors of Literature Circles: Creating and Environment of Choice. Literature circles help to foster an environment that supports student voice and choice, which are of particular developmental importance for young adults. By engaging in meaningful and intellectually stimulating discussions, students will become more comfortable with oral self-expression and will gain the ability to think critically about a wide range of reading materials.
Illinois State Standards and Benchmarks:
STATE GOAL 1: Read with understanding and fluency. 1.B.3c Continuously check and clarify for understanding (e.g., in addition to previous skills, draw comparisons to other readings). 1.C.3a Use information to form, explain and support questions and predictions. 1.C.3b Interpret and analyze entire narrative text using story elements, point of view and theme. 1.C.3d Summarize and make generalizations from content and relate them to the purpose of the material.
About the Coach:
Esther Ohito teaches 6-8th grade English/Language Arts at Pershing West Middle School. Esther is a Nationally Board Certified teacher with many leadership experiences that include leading two previous CFE Study Groups, serving as a workshop facilitator with the Chicago New Teacher Center, mentoring student teachers, and leading multiple professional development workshops on literacy instruction at various venues across the district.
Meeting Times:
The Study Group meeting schedules are determined together at the Study Group Program Kick-Off Dinner on Thursday, June 4, 2009.
