ERIC Number: EJ833888
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0034-0502
EISSN: N/A
From Skeptic to Believer: One Teacher's Journey Implementing Literature Circles
Day, Deanna; Ainley, Glenna
Reading Horizons, v48 n3 p157-176 2008
This is the story of one middle school teacher's journey of implementing literature circles with English language learners. Theory and research suggest that literature circles are valuable and important for young adolescents yet many teachers are still skeptical about implementing them. During this three-month study 22 sixth graders, 12 of them English learners, were involved in reading and discussing books. Areas that helped this teacher become a believer in literature circles included: students were able to talk about books in the literature circles, students naturally discussed the major themes and literary elements, students made sense of the texts, and students were actively engaged and excited. In conclusion, implications for teachers and teacher educators are addressed. (Contains 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Grade 6, Teacher Educators, English (Second Language), Middle Schools, Teaching Methods, Literature Appreciation, Discussion, Discussion Groups
Western Michigan University, College of Education. 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Tel: 269-387-3498; Fax: 269-387-6272; Web site: http://www.wmich.edu/coe/spls/clinic/readhorizons.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Grade 6; Middle Schools
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A