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In this previous post, I introduced the idea of starting a literature circle in your co-op or with a group of friends. Let’s say you’ve picked your theme and your books. So what does an actual literature circle look like?
Literature circle looks a lot like an English class but without the writing and grammar components. It’s all about reading, discussion, and fitting things together. As I discussed in the first part of this post, my classes are 10 weeks long, featuring three books dealing with a single theme.
You could have a class/book club in which you just discuss the book, but I suggest a directed approach that requires more interactive reading at home and a somewhat structured (with room for tangential ideas) classroom discussion.
- Homework with discussion questions. I generally devote three weeks to each book, so I divide the chapters by three and assign that many chapters per week. (I use chapters rather than page numbers, since students might have different editions of a book.) If you are using a study guide by Glencoe, Shmoop, or another resource, select 5-10 questions for homework, or read the chapters and come up with your own questions. Think of the questions as a discussion guideline rather than busywork. Which questions will foster the most discussion?
- Discussion. Obviously, this is the most important part of the class. We discuss the questions given on the homework as well as others that come up. I love watching where these discussions go, but I always have to reign the kids back to the main topic eventually.
- Poster presentation. This is one of the most valuable parts of our literature circle because the students are delving deeper into the topic on their own. Generally the posters are biographical, but they could be topical, as well. For example, for our African-American Experience class, we gave each student the name of a famous African-American, ranging from Phyllis Wheatley to Barack Obama. Each student puts together a poster with biographical facts, photos, quotes, and other information. Students then give a 3-5 minute “speech,” during which they introduce their person. Rather than doing all the poster in one or two classes, I like to have 2-3 students present each week.
- Guest speaker. We usually take one class period for a guest speaker. We ask our guest to prepare a short (5 minute) talk about his/her experience and then have our class ask questions. For our World War II Perspectives, my father, a WWII veteran, came to speak to the class. For our African-American Experience circle, we had a fascinating session with my co-teacher’s father, who was among the first five African-American students integrated into the public school system in our town.
This is the basic format for my literature circles, but, of course, homeschooling is all about flexibility. Again, my literature circles are for middle-school students. If you are leading a circle for elementary students, you would probably want to add in hands-on activities, including games and crafts, to enhance the reading.
So what have my students learned from literature circles?
- To read carefully and pointedly, and to connect different perspectives on a single theme.
- To discuss and gently analyze literature without the pressure of exams and essays
- To make connections in literature to real life
- To conduct research on a topic and put together a poster presentation
- To speak in front of their peers
Starting a literature circle involves planning and organization, but the results are well worth the effort. You’re preparing your kids for upper-level literature courses; they just know that they are having fun. Again, there is something especially exciting and enriching about discussing literature in a group setting. Most kids love discussing books; they just don’t necessarily know it!
Sarah Small has been homeschooling for 11 years. She has her master’s degree in English/creative writing. She writes about homeschooling, family, and life in general at SmallWorld at Home. She also offers SmallWorld’s WordSmithery, an ongoing series of free creative writing lessons.
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we called it “Book Club,” and started when our oldest boys were in fifth grade. At the start, we committed to three months, and the boys, who are now juniors and seniors in high school, begged to continue. We have formed a club for their sisters, their younger brothers and have had other s imitate our basic plan. They meet monthly, we stir up the genres every year. Host family picks the book. Host dad leads the discussion. Play a game. Serve a snack. I would say it has easily been one of the best things we have done as a homeschooling family.
This could be much fun. Thanks for the idea!
Thanks for the great ideas! We’ve been talking about starting a book club in our local group, divided into elementary and upper grades. The one and ONLY thing my daughter misses about attending school is her once-a-month lunchtime book club. I like the idea of calling it a “literature circle,” especially since we want to encourage the kids to read and discuss Newberry books and classics. (Nothing wrong with reading the popular series books, but kids tend to read those anyway, and they don’t lend themselves to thought-provoking discussion!)
Literature circles are on one of the still-wonderful things about a traditional private or public school classroom. I taught elementary and middle school English for over two decades before resigning to homeschool my nieces. I’ve put together (and continue to build it), a web resource of activities for literature circles and creative writing assignments. Visit this link directly, http://www.creative-writing-ideas-and-activities.com/creative-writing-topics.html, for literature circle suggestions. Scroll down to find reading and writing activities by genre. May you find it helpful!
Literature circles are still one of the good things found in traditional private and public school classrooms. I taught elementary and middle school English and writing for over two decades before resigning to homeschool my nieces. I’ve put together (and continue to build) a web resource of activities for literature and creative writing. Visit this page directly, http://www.creative-writing-ideas-and-activities.com/creative-writing-topics.html, for ideas on implementing reading and writing activities into literature circles. Scroll down, and choose by genre. May you find it helpful!