Sea Turtles and You Home

According to Harvey Daniels, author of the book,
Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student-Centered Classroom (Stenhouse Publishers, 1994), literature circles are small, temporary discussion groups of students who have chosen to read the same work of literature. Each member agrees to take specific responsibilities during discussion sessions. For example:

a) Discussion Director - Asks "fat" questions about 
the story to help the group have a dynamic discussion. "Why...How...If..." questions. Help people talk over the "big ideas" in the reading and share their reactions. Ask the questions only. You do not need to include your response here. The person commenting needs to answer the questions.

b) Passage Master - Locate a special section of the text that you think group members would like to revisit. These can be funny, scary, confusing, interesting, a vivid description, or any other good part you read. You decide which passage is worth discussing. Include the passage and your response. The person commenting will react to your response.

c) Word Wizard - Specialize in locating words that you choose. These are not passages but single words. The words can be new, different, strange, funny, interesting important, or hard. Cite the page on which it is located. Give the meaning. Write the sentence that includes your word. Tell why it was chosen. Write a new sentence with the word. Those commenting will give a response and write a new sentence with the word.

d) Connector - Find connections between the story
and the world outside. It can be current or past real 
world events and experiences. You can connect to life experiences, school, neighborhood, other people and problems, other stories or writings on the same topic, similar events at other times and places, and other writings by the same author. Your task is to understand the story better by relating to it and bring the connections to the discussion with others. Include the connection and your response. Those commenting will respond to the connection.

The circles meet regularly, and the discussion roles
change at each meeting. When the circle finishes a book, the members decide on a way to showcase their literary work for the rest of the class.

Submitted by Amy Gold

South Walton Turtle Watch

Florida Sea Turtle Grants Program

Van R. Butler Elementary School