Read, Discuss, and Learn: Using Literacy Groups to Student Advantage

by Lisa A. Fisher

Overview

Literacy groups promote discussion and learning through the exploration of text, but many educators are hesitant to adopt them. For current and future secondary teachers, administrators, and curriculum directors, Read, Discuss, and Learn provides support and guidance so educators can confidently involve students within the learning process at a deep level. This is a practical resource guide that walks teachers through the use of literacy groups within their classrooms over a typical 365-day journey of secondary students. The author provides educators with the tools to think about literacy groups, to create literacy groups, and to design the best assessment to adequately evaluate students' comprehension and mastery of new content.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607094296
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	08/16/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	154
Sales rank:	91,949
Product dimensions:	6.08(w) x 9.12(h) x 0.36(d)

About the Author

Lisa A. Fisher is an adjunct instructor for Pasco-Hernando Community College, where she teaches remedial reading courses for college-bound adults. She has been a reading teacher and then a reading coach at a middle school in Pasco County. She currently serves as a literacy coach at a high school.

Table of Contents

List of Figures vii

List of Tables ix

Foreword Cynthia Tehan xi

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xvii

Prologue xix

1 Introduction: Students' Voices Create Model Literacy Groups 1

2 Understanding Literacy Groups 13

3 Designing Literacy Groups 21

4 Student and Teacher Accountability 33

5 Differentiated Assessment 65

6 Getting the Last Word In 77

Appendices

Appendix A Book List and Reading Schedule 93

Appendix B Question-Answer Relationship Cycle 99

Appendix C Visualizing Handout 101

Appendix D Character-Analysis Web 103

Appendix E Reading Schedule 105

Appendix F After-Reading-Project Rubrics 107

Appendix G Text-Review Form 117

Appendix H Student Survey 119

Appendix I Chapter 6 Additional Project Rubrics 121

Professional References 125

Literature References 129

About the Author 131

Editorial Reviews

Here is a book written in a style that makes readers feel as though they are sitting at a coffee table with their peers and discussing how to teach literacy. It is conversational in tone, includes developmental steps, and focuses on practical applications. Fisher (adjunct instructor, Pasco-Hernando Community College) presents a systematic approach for introducing and sequencing the progress of literacy groups. She supports this approach with research and personal experience and promotes the use of literacy groups in all content areas and as tools for student motivation, teamwork, role responsibility, and learning. Student motivation often partners with the desire to interact socially while learning new things. Teamwork develops when students learn to cooperate with positive interaction skills and rely on one another to successfully complete assigned roles. Instructors can then use strategies outlined in the appendices to teach the necessary reading skills and concepts to assist students in becoming successful, independent critical readers. Assessment activities are included to assist teachers in evaluating student learning. Fisher's book on literacy group instruction will assist student learning in any content area. Summing Up: Recommended.

Choice

Here is a book written in a style that makes readers feel as though they are sitting at a coffee table with their peers and discussing how to teach literacy. It is conversational in tone, includes developmental steps, and focuses on practical applications. Fisher (adjunct instructor, Pasco-Hernando Community College) presents a systematic approach for introducing and sequencing the progress of literacy groups. She supports this approach with research and personal experience and promotes the use of literacy groups in all content areas and as tools for student motivation, teamwork, role responsibility, and learning. Student motivation often partners with the desire to interact socially while learning new things. Teamwork develops when students learn to cooperate with positive interaction skills and rely on one another to successfully complete assigned roles. Instructors can then use strategies outlined in the appendices to teach the necessary reading skills and concepts to assist students in becoming successful, independent critical readers. Assessment activities are included to assist teachers in evaluating student learning. Fisher's book on literacy group instruction will assist student learning in any content area. Summing Up: Recommended.

CHOICE

Here is a book written in a style that makes readers feel as though they are sitting at a coffee table with their peers and discussing how to teach literacy. It is conversational in tone, includes developmental steps, and focuses on practical applications. Fisher (adjunct instructor, Pasco-Hernando Community College) presents a systematic approach for introducing and sequencing the progress of literacy groups. She supports this approach with research and personal experience and promotes the use of literacy groups in all content areas and as tools for student motivation, teamwork, role responsibility, and learning. Student motivation often partners with the desire to interact socially while learning new things. Teamwork develops when students learn to cooperate with positive interaction skills and rely on one another to successfully complete assigned roles. Instructors can then use strategies outlined in the appendices to teach the necessary reading skills and concepts to assist students in becoming successful, independent critical readers. Assessment activities are included to assist teachers in evaluating student learning. Fisher's book on literacy group instruction will assist student learning in any content area. Summing Up: Recommended.

Choice Reviews

This book is very interesting and would be very helpful to beginning teachers or anyone who is interested in using literature circles in their classroom. It is easy to read and held my attention. This use of actual student dialogues is stimulating and very informative. The author's enthusiasm for literature circles is contagious. The research was presented in a meaningful way without being tiresome. It is also full of useful resources. It would be impossible for any educator to read this book and not become excited about literature circles.

Renee Burdick

Whether it's your first year teaching or your twentieth year, this text is the perfect guide to enhance your literacy instruction. Read, Discuss, and Learn includes the essential information you need for differentiated instruction and for meeting your students' needs through literacy groups. In addition to the fundamentals of literacy groups, it includes cooperative learning techniques, criteria on appropriate text selection, ELL and ESE modifications, cross curriculum suggestions, and assessments fostering student growth. Read, Discuss, and Learn is a must-have for all teachers everywhere!

Maria Ortega

Lisa Fisher understands that choice drives engagement. She appreciates that giving students time to talk about their reading not only improves comprehension but also builds life-long readers.

Cris Tovani