~ Literature Circles ~

(the Faye Brownlie way:)

Based on: Grand Conversations, Thoughtful Responses: A Unique Approach to Literature Circles ISBN: 978-1-55379-054-9

Carefully choose 6 books
Select books (fiction and narrative NF) based on a variety of reading levels, genres, powerful themes. - try to include a humourous / purely entertaining book.
Make sure you've read or are familiar with each book you've selected and/or
Consider collaborating with your Teacher-Librarian to help book talk the selections - and possiblty help circulate during disucssion groups.

* NOTE: This effectively limits discussion groups to a max. of 6
MARBLES annotated bibliography of

K-12 multicultural/anti-racist resources

EASY (Gr. 8) - Secondary Titles: *see Multiple Copies list for short summary of novels

E = easier reads A = advanced (subjective ratings for gr. 8) Best Books - Elementary

INTERMEDIATE (Gr. 9/10) titles:

The First Stone (Don Aker)
We All Fall Down (Walters, Eric) E
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Haddon, Mark)
True Confessions of a Heartless Girl (Brooks, Martha)

A Little Piece of Ground(Laird, Elizabeth)

Kiss the Dust ( Laird, Elizabeth)
Shades Children (Nix, Garth) A
Ties That Bind, Ties That Break (Namioka, Lensey)

Forbidden City ( Bell, William)

Girl With a Baby (Olsen, Sylvia)

Theories of Relativity (Haworth - Attard)

ADVANCED / Gr. 11/12 - Recommended Titles:

CANADIAN AUTHORS

OTHER ADVANCED NOVELS:

Make your book talks come to life! This book grabbed me from the beginning... If you like____ you'll love this one....
Highlight font size, length(make every book equal in appeal, despite reading level)
Share enticing excerpts,

See June 25 TLSpecial blog entry - summary of Faye's Brownle's workshop with Vancouver teachers and TLs

MARBLES annotated bibliography of K-12 multicultural/anti-racist resources

for Lit Circle discussions

STEP 3: START READING right away. Dedicate 15 min./class for silent reading.

                        NOTE: Students are free to read at their own pace.

STEP 4: GROUP DISCUSSION - one group at a time, meet 1-2 times a week.

NOTE: One group meets at a time - teacher joins as participant, not a group facilitator

Discussion is prompted by the SAY ANYTHING method, 4 quadrant charts.

Teacher should model discussion starters, including ideas from a Literary Luminary, Vocabularly Builder, etc.

Note: No assigned roles like traditional Lit. Circles - i.e. Vocab. Builder, Literary Luminary etc.

Instead, each student participates using the Say Anything method, incorporating these roles into their discussion.

> NOTE: Fast readers ARE NOT to give the ending away...they can foreshadow or prompt guesses.

STEP 5: READ / FINISH BOOK (at own pace)

            As soon as book is finished, and the student has completed the following:

                         (a) written 1 journal entry / class

                         (b) participated in at least 1 discussion group

           The student is then free to select their next Lit. Circle title (from the chosen list) and join their next books discussion group.

TIP: If a student is way ahead of classmates, consider encouraging them to read and critique 2-3 picture books (see attached Reading Power list)

Students can journal based on the following 'Reading Powers': MAKE CONNECTIONS, ASK QUESTIONS, MAKE INFERENCES. GOAL? journally TRANSFORMED thoughts.

By the end of the Lit. Circles, encourage students to get in a group of 6 to share journals on Picture Books - 3 ENG 8 classes loved adding Picture Books to Lit. Circles!

The result? Hopefully creating dynamic, engaging and interactive disucssion groups that change daily., involving ALL levels of readers.

Edits, recommended novels and Lit. Circle tips are most welcome!

                                                                                             D. North - TL at Killarney