Literacy Circles/Book Clubs

By: Jessi Dray and Jenna Cohen

Literature Review:

The Effects of Book Clubs on the Reading Attitudes of Middle School Students

Jeff L. Whittingham, Ph.D.

Stephanie Huffman, Ed.D

Background• Need, interest, and reading competence

decline when students go to middle school.• By the time students are in high school, many

view reading as a chore and do not see themselves as a “reader”.

Why use Book Clubs?• Help adolescents intellectually, socially, and emotionally.• Helps expand students’ understanding of books and

appreciation of books read.• Book clubs emphasize the experience, rather than the

academic task, which is attractive to reluctant students. • Choice in text empowers a reader and thus promotes

literacy development.• The word “club” helps it to be seen as a social gathering. It

can be seen as a break from high academic demands.• Gives struggling students a good reading role model.

Results

• Students who had negative attitudes towards reading demonstrated the most change during the experiment.

*This study was of a before school book club. Students met for 25 minutes on Wednesday mornings for a semester.

Literature Review:

Diverse learners participating in regular education “Book Clubs”

Virginia J. Goatley Cynthia H. Brock Taffy E. Raphael

Study

• Explores literacy experiences within a 5th grade classroom

• Small group discussion groups – Consisting of diverse learners

• Book Club (reading program)• Looks at mainstream learners interacting with

peers

Conclusions

• When students were mixed together (mainstream students and regular education students) they engaged in rich conversations

• Diverse students were able to draw from their background and previous experiences creating a “meaningful understanding of literature” (p.378)

• When given the opportunity, diverse learners can be extremely valuable to the classroom

Pros/Cons of Book Clubs

• Highly engaging (engaged readers are motivated to comprehend)

• Involves choice• Authentic Experience• Student leaders• Students practice turn-

taking, group discussion• Social activity

• Requires time to model/set up

• Hard to monitor all students

*It is a great PART of a balanced literacy program. It cannot be the entire program!

A Second Grade Teacher’s thoughts on Literature Circles

“Last year was too much of a challenge to do lit circles more than twice, but typically I try to fit them in each trimester at least. 

I use them as a break from the regular reading routine.

The first thing I do is introduce Lit Circles through a demonstration (with a short story or picture book) with 3-4 people working together on each job.

As we read together we discuss each role and what they should be doing while reading the book. 

The roles include "Word Detective", "Time Tracker", "Discussion Director", "Illustrator", "Curious Connector".

I spend a couple days reviewing expectations of each role and how the group should work together. Then we get started.

Students enjoy reading short novels and dissecting them. They often take pride in their independence and ability to complete their task and play

their role.

I create an activity, word game, or comprehension skill to be completed as an additional assessment.

With some groups, the greatest difficulty with Lit Circles is assigning jobs (someone is always unhappy). 

I usually have students who take their job very seriously while others care less. Keeping these groups on task is a challenge.

For some second graders Lit Circles and role playing is difficult due to their independent reading level and maturity.”

-Mrs. Lauren MaddenSecond Grade Teacher

Concluding Thoughts…

• Classroom book clubs allow students to read the same books and share their thoughts openly

• Book clubs/ literature circles are NOT leveled reading groups

• They can be conducted in many ways depending on the teacher and make up of the class

Book Clubs are all the Rage!