A School Yard Blog had a question about my use of literature circles, but couldn't post her question on the comments section of the old site. I've put her question here and posted my reponse.
ASYB: Did you notice students showing some interest in books that they weren't reading but others were? I guess what I am wondering is if, say, a struggling reader overheard a group of less struggling readers having an interesting conversation, would the struggling reader challenge himself to try their book? And in the other direction, might a great reader hear something from a "struggler's" book conversation that would make that book seem like one to read? I liked the pop-up cards, especially because you used them to start group work more than force it. Lucky kids in your class!
TF: I haven't had that exact situation develop. The social aspect does play a role. I've had students recommend books to each other, I've had them give a book a second or third chance because their friends or peers liked it. I've had students want to read a book that was too difficult for them because a friend was choosing that (but this was in the choosing stage). I find the social aspect of it to be very important. Especially when you get a group of boys together reading the same book they all identify with. It really shows that our boys are CAPABLE of doing this work as long as we engage them in it. I've seen some amazing stuff come from all-boys' groups.
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