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Literature Discussion Groups in the Intermediate Grades: Dilemmas and Possibilities (Kids Insight Series)
Literature Discussion Groups in the Intermediate Grades Dilemmas and Possibilities - Kids Insight Series Author:Karen S. Evans "...Having a discussion beats paper! 'Cause papers don't talk back!" (Ryan, fifth-grade student) The process of implementing literature discussion groups in grades 3-5 can be difficult. Many students may be reluctant to participate in this activity because they are accustomed to round-robin reading and whole-class discussions followed by indiv... more »idual workbook exercises, but these children may require extensive instructional support in order to learn to participate in more independent discussions. Students' initial reluctance to contribute can sometimes be frustrating to a teacher who truly believes in the ability of literature discussions to create "grand conversations." In Literature Discussion Groups in the Intermediate Grades: Dilemmas and Possibilities, author Karen S. Evans describes how her strong belief in the value of literature discussions helped her to deal with the dilemmas of introducing a new way of "doing reading" to students in several different classrooms. Teachers are invited to join in each step of the author's literature discussion group journey-from choosing appropriate titles to integrating skills instruction and finding workable assessment methods. Along the way, the pitfalls and possibilities inherent in each step are discussed clearly and honestly, using the voices of Evans's students to show their progression from hesitant participants to strong, independent, and responsible speakers and learners. Use these insights to support you on your journey as you navigate through the work of integrating literature discussion groups in your own classroom. The rewards will be well worth the effort.« less