Dear Friends: Each grouping strategy has a different teacher/student dynamic or interaction, if you will. Our purpose for each grouping strategy needs to be clear whether it be guided reading, literature circles, strategy-based grouping, target groups, or reciprocal teaching. Rather than look at what grade level children should experience a literature circle, etc., it is essential to look at what you need to work on - the needs of the child or student. When we implement guided reading, we are giving students practice with our guidance after we have modeled the strategy we are focusing on. After time in guided reading, regardless of the grade level (and I mean even kindergarten) we can gradually release children to use the strategy on their own in a literature circle. Perhaps it would help to think about the gradual release when considering who, when, and where to use different grouping strategies. The more you understand the specific purpose of a grouping strategy, the more you will know where to use and with whom to use it. All grouping strategies are for all learners. Where are they? What have you modeled? How much practice have you given? Literature circles are the test of your instruction - if you have truly done guided reading with an explicit strategy focus and have handed the responsibility to them, they should be able to then, use the strategy in a literature circle.
Look how simple it can be to organize a lit. circle for kindergarteners . . Read-aloud three versions of The Little Red Hen with your strategy focus, determining importance or main idea. Let them get together to discuss the three books, comparing and contrasting and talking about what's important or the author's message. That will be an amazing discussion. Then bring everyone together to discuss it collaboratively as a class. Wow! Janine Batzle ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: mosaic@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 3:32 PM Subject: Re: [MOSAIC] Guided Reading for older students A topic for discussion- When do we stop guided reading and move into literature circles and book clubs? Maxine ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com<http://www.aol.com/> _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org> To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org>. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive<http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive>. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
