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

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

Faye Brownlie (she/her/hers) has worked in staff development with teachers, co-planning, co-teaching, and providing seminars, workshops and keynote presentations in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.  Passionate about including and supporting all learners, her work focuses on literacy, teaching for thinking, assessment and inclusion. She has co-authored many books for teachers, including It’s All about Thinking in English, Social Studies and Humanities and It’s All about Thinking in Mathematics and Science.  Faye believes, "We know enough, collectively, to teach all our students to read, and more importantly, to create readers who not only can read but want to read."