2. What are Reading Circles?
• Small groups of students who meet in the
classroom to talk about stories
• Each student plays a role in the discussion
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3. What are Reading Circles?
• Usually six Roles:
Discussion Leader Summarizer
Connector Word Master
Passage Person Culture Collector
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4. The Reading Circle
Culture Collector Discussion Leader
Passage Person Summarizer
Word Master Connector
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5. Why run Reading Circles?
• Reading Circles allow students to have
enjoyable, interesting discussions in English
• To quote the Editor, Mark Furr:
“Stories capture the interest of students in
ways that other materials simply do not
[…]”
Reading Circles are a magic formula for
natural, enjoyable discussions in English!
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6. What are Bookworms Club
Stories for Reading Circles?
Eight students’ books:
collections of short stories at
Stages 1 to 6
Seven stories, each with:
* story introduction
* About the author
* activities that help
students prepare to take
part in the discussion
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7. What are Bookworms Club
Stories for Reading Circles?
… & a Teacher’s Handbook, which
provides:
• step-by-step instructions
• & everything you need to run
successful Reading Circles …
• http://elt.oup.com/teachers/readingcir
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8. The Teacher’s Handbook/Website
provides:
• Step-by-step instructions
• Role Sheets (photocopiable)
• Role Sheet examples
• Reading Circles Schedule chart
• Expansion Activities
• Role Badges …
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9. The Six Roles &
Role Sheets …
For today’s workshop
you will be taking
part in a Reading
Circle, so you need to
understand the 6
roles.
These really are the
magic at heart of RC:
guide learners
through their reading,
& help prep for
discussions in
English
There are no correct
views or answers, it’s
all about having the
discussion.
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10. The Six Roles & Role
Sheets …
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11. The Six Roles &
Role Sheets …
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12. The Six Roles & Role
Sheets …
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13. The Six Roles & Role
Sheets …
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14. The Six Roles &
Role Sheets …
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15. Bookworms Club - Reading Circles
Workshop
• Groups of 4
Agree on your roles (Discussion Leader,
Summarizer, Connector, Word Master,
Passage Person, Culture Collector)
2 minutes
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16. Bookworms Club - Reading Circles
Workshop
Read story: Gold, ‘The Secret’, pages 73-9
15 minutes
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30. Bookworms Club - Reading Circles
Workshop
• Prepare your Role
(refer to story text & complete Role
Sheet)
But please don’t begin that
review / discussion now!
15 minutes
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31. Bookworms Club - Reading Circles
Workshop
• Reading Circles Discussion
25 minutes
(We would usually allow up to
40 mins. for the Discussion)
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32. Bookworms Club - Reading Circles
Workshop
Workshop discussion: review your experience of RC -
what did you find out?
In your groups, discuss what benefits you feel Reading
Circles offer, & how you might use them / why
10 minutes
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33. Bookworms Club - Reading Circles
Workshop
Conclusions – Benefits
Q&A
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Editor's Notes
Before we start workshop proper, will spend a dozen or so mins introducing Reading Circles Materials needed for workshop: 1 copy of the Teacher’s Handbook for the trainer 1 copy of the Gold Bookworms Stories for Reading Circles for each participant. The story they will be reading is ‘The Secret’ Role badges and role sheets for each participant Prizes
Similar to a book club or reading group Read story at home & prepare for their role
Involve reading, writing, listening, and speaking
X many groups – maybe 5 or 6, & Teacher on hand
The underlying aim of RC: to provide an opportunity for meaningful discussion in English, with students motivated to talk in English; Very motivating in variety of ways Promote student autonomy
Stories selected from existing Bookworms short story collections Important to facilitate enjoyable discussion: ensure story is well within the students reading level (below level)
For today’s workshop you will be taking part in a Reading Circle, so you need to understand the 6 roles These really are the magic at heart of RC: guide learners through their reading, & help prep for discussions in English To enable successful discussion, bear in mind the aim is discussion, not correct answers – students will have opinions they want to communicate There are no correct views or answers, it’s all about having the discussion
Those are the 6 roles, which the teacher introduces to the students, very carefully the 1 st time I’ve been quick – too quick. For our purposes today, am not giving this the time you would, especially on the first introduction
Before we begin the workshop itself, here is a summary As we do the workshop, I’ll explain as needed/remind you of what we are doing at each step
In real life the Teacher would move from group to group (if class divided into 5 or 6 groups), or be available to provide support where needed; Would listen in here & there & intercede with helpful suggestions if needed; answer questions, trouble shoot…
‘ Teacher’: For today, be aware of the RC process – benefits etc -
Circulate & encourage thoughts on benefits like differentiation, helping students with X personality type, fostering the shy, reigning in the dominant; critical thinking (views/opinions & arguing for them) Listen out for objections (e.g. my Ss will not keep to English, my Ss don’t enjoy reading - choice of story, firing them up on the topic – it’s THEIR views that are sollicited, poss not such a common opportunity, & there’s no right or wrong, just be ready to substantiate Forums for RC – incl after-school clubs etc
Benefits …
don’t prepare this, but sum up some that have been voiced, add extras as appropriate
