Grand Conversations, Thoughtful Responses: A Unique Approach to Literature Circles

by Faye Brownlie

With this unique approach to literature circles, our students are reading more, are writing more and are excited about talking about their books!  The enthusiasm in the class is contagious with even our more reluctant readers wanting more time – and more books - to read.  It is a pleasure to join a group and participate in the conversation.  Our students’ ability to make deep connections to one and other and to their reading is amazing.
Tanis Anderson, Literacy Programme Consultant, K-12 and a team of Burnaby teachers
 
Grand Conversations, Thoughtful Responses is built upon the premise that all students can become active, independent, thoughtful readers.  The structures and strategies in this book are proven to help students develop confidence and competence in their reading.  Student engagement with text soars through participation in grand conversations with peers and reflecting on reading with thoughtful, written responses.  This unique approach includes:
-student choice in books
-students reading at their own pace, thus creating flexible groups
-literature circle groups where students discuss the shared text they are reading
-strategies for teaching written response
-strategies for co-creating assessment criteria
-additional activities to develop and deepen comprehension
-book lists

Genres: Education

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Brownlie's approach to literature circles and liked the many new classroom stories added to the second version.

[Lyndsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspired by Brownlie's approach of letting students read at their own pace and moving fluidly between groups. Reading at least two of the texts from a collection changes the game, too. Lots of clear and easy ways to go about making thinking visible and building readers' proficiency with comprehension and metacognition.

[Lori Emilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful, practical, and grounded in research, this book is an amazing must-read for ELA teachers!

[Ngaio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very much a how-to book with clear examples for multiple age groups. It may have been written with primarily elementary aged students in mind, but easily scale-able for secondary.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, inviting read that offers big ideas and little ready to implement activities. Faye Brownlie always presents processes in an easy to access and visual way.

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it! Literature circles during which students get to choose what they read and how much they read. Groups come together to share and further increase their understanding of the book, depending on the book they currently read. So groupings change all the time. The book comes with much practical advice and many ready-to-use comprehension activities and assessment tools. Having just had the opportunity to see it in action with our Grade 3s, I know it works. This book has joined my list of all-time favorite titles of professional literature. Highly recommended!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to try this out in my classroom next year!