collaborative reading strategy. The teacher or group select a book and then the children are introduced to the six roles. (three roles 1 st session, remaining roles 2 nd session)
The teacher models the task for each of the six roles, and then children practise the strategies. Practising the Roles Demonstrating the different roles allows the children to practise the techniques before they are responsible for completing the tasks on their own.
After this introduction, children are ready to use the strategy independently, rotating the roles through six-person groups as they read the books chosen.
1 Reteller Retell the story in your own words.
Include three main events that happen in the story
Make sure that they are important parts.
Does the group agree? Artful Artist Draw anything about this chapter that you liked. It could be: the setting a problem an exciting part a surprise a prediction of what will happen next 2 Artful Artist Reteller 3 Character Captain Who is the main character? What does the main character do in this chapter? Tell about the other characters. Word Finder Look for special words in the story. Find at least two words for each chapter. Words that are: new different funny strange difficult Record: Word Page Why I picked it 4 Word Finder Character Captain 5 Story Connector Find connections between the book and your life. This means seeing how the story reminds you of: your own life things that happen at school or home other people other books or stories Discussion Director Write down some good questions that you want to talk about with the group. At least 2 questions ! 6 Story Connector Discussion Director 7 8 Rules Gather together Start promptly Discuss quietly and politely Listen carefully to group members
Do any of the characters change in the story? What caused them to change?
How are you different from one of the characters? Explain.
If you could trade places with one of the characters, which one would it be?
Was there a character you didnt like? Why didnt you like this character?
If you had been the main character in this story, would you have acted differently? Explain how or why.
Discussion Starters In my opinion... Id like to add... I agree because... I disagree because... I dont understand... I am confused about... On page...
Respond to a part in the book that... Makes you laugh Make you wonder Surprises you You dont understand Has interesting words Makes you sad or upset Was your favourite part Reminds you of something that has happened in your life
What was the message of the story? What particular part helped you to work it out? What do you think was the best part in the story? Would you recommend it to someone else? Why or why not? Would you like to read something else by this author? Why or why not?
Reflection Children learn to take responsibility for their own learning. This is reflected in how effectively they make choices and take ownership of their Reading Circle group. They quickly take charge of their own discussions, hold each other accountable for their individual reading and how they carry out their role. The positive peer pressure that the members of each group place on each other contribute to each child's accountability to the rest of the group. 9 Reflection
When children engage with texts and one another in these ways, they take control of their literacy in positive and rewarding ways.
Choice of reading materials and choice of language to discuss what was read, provided opportunities for the children to improve their levels of both fluency and literacy. 10 Resources
Role descriptions Role badges Choice of reading materials Clip Boards Role Pro-formas Table Top Word Mat Bell