Artifact 4

A literature circle is a unit that is based on dividing children into different groups depending on their instructional reading level and allowing them to learn and explore about one common theme. Each group reads a novel that matches their reading level. The teacher then assigns each student in the group a job to complete from the reading in each section. I created this artifact during Fall 2002. Each lesson focuses on books that have something to do with mysteries. (One above grade level, one at grade level, and one below grade level.) This unit was developed for the fourth grade, but my section was created for the third grade reading level, which was one grade below the actual reading level.

Impact:

This unit was created specifically for a fourth grade reading level. The units are divided according to three different reading abilities in the classroom. After reading a set amount of pages or chapters, each child does a job on their own, then the group gathers together to share what they have learned and to discuss the book in detail. These units allow for every child to participate in the readings and the theme as a whole but at their own comfortable level.

Alignment:
It might be a fun activity for the students to create webpages about their literature circles to show what they've learned! Each child will do the same job differently, so there would be diverse examples of the same job on this web page (Tech Competency II A). This project can show the students learning in a technology-enchanced environment by having them create a web page that demonstrates their creativity and understanding of the different jobs in the literature circle (Tech Competency II E). Literature Circles give students opportunities to learn about different topics and issues raised throughout the books they read by reading different genres. The students will independently draw conclusions that create a meaningful learning experience for them and the members in their group, and the teacher will be able to assess their knowledge based upon their published work.

Alignment with INTASC Standards:

Literature Circles encourage a lot of discussion and thought and allow students to take away so much more meaning because they incorporate experiences from their own lives. (INTASC 1). As the teacher uses the literature circles, they create a variety of instructional strategies to encourage the development of the students. They will begin to think about what they read differently through strategies and they will be able to choose passages based on criteria related to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. They will also practice their performance skills by sharing with the group their thoughts and ideas, leading discussions, and asking questions about the particular sections of the book. This will create a learning experience that they will remember (INTASC 4). Literature Circles provide the opportunity for group and cooperative learning. The groups must work together to function effectively. Each person in the group has to contribute actively to the group in order to help self motivate the other members of that group (INTASC 5).