[LIT] Literature Circles

[mdesmond at jd.cnyric.org]

This is my third year working with literature circles at a 7th grade
reading level and I feel like I am finally getting the hang of it all. I
am, however, struggling with differentiating instruction for the varying
reading levels. I read the book Mini Lessons for Literature Circles by
Daniels & Steineke and have been modeling many of my lessons after the
ideas in the book; however, I am still struggling with what strategies and
skills to work on. I offer varied level books and encourage students to
choose the books they are interested in.The last literature circle that I
conducted, we focused on characterization and worked/modeled/discussed many
reading strategies to understand characterization. I felt some students
were not challenged during the instruction. Does anyone have any ideas
about how to challenge all students in a student directed discussion with
literature circles?