Overview

Reading Circles are a

collaborative reading strategy.
The teacher or group select a
book and then the children are
introduced to the six roles.
(three roles 1
st
session,
remaining roles 2
nd
session)

The teacher models the task for
each of the six roles, and then
children practise the strategies.
Practising the Roles
Demonstrating the different
roles allows the children to
practise the techniques before
they are responsible for
completing the tasks on their
own.

After this introduction, children
are ready to use the strategy
independently, rotating the roles
through six-person groups as
they read the books chosen.

1
Reteller
Retell the story in your own
words.

Include three main events that
happen in the story

Make sure that they are
important parts.

Does the group agree?
Artful Artist
Draw anything about this chapter that you liked.
It could be:
the setting
a problem
an exciting part
a surprise
a prediction of what will happen
next
2
Artful Artist
Reteller
3
Character Captain
Who is the main character?
What does the main
character do in this
chapter?
Tell about the other
characters.
Word Finder
Look for special words in the story.
Find at least two words for each
chapter. Words that are:
new
different
funny
strange
difficult
Record:
Word Page Why I picked it
4
Word Finder Character Captain
5
Story Connector
Find connections between the book and
your life.
This means seeing how the story
reminds you of:
your own life
things that happen at school or
home
other people
other books or stories
Discussion Director
Write down some good
questions that you want
to talk about with the
group. At least 2
questions !
6
Story Connector Discussion Director
7
8
Rules
Gather together
Start promptly
Discuss quietly and
politely
Listen carefully to group
members


Do any of the characters
change in the story? What
caused them to change?

How are you different from
one of the characters?
Explain.

If you could trade places with
one of the characters, which
one would it be?

Was there a character you
didnt like? Why didnt you
like this character?

If you had been the main
character in this story, would
you have acted differently?
Explain how or why.

Discussion Starters
In my opinion...
Id like to add...
I agree because...
I disagree because...
I dont understand...
I am confused about...
On page...

Respond to a part in the book
that...
Makes you laugh
Make you wonder
Surprises you
You dont understand
Has interesting words
Makes you sad or upset
Was your favourite part
Reminds you of something
that has happened in your life

What was the message of the story? What particular part helped you to work it
out?
What do you think was the best part in the story? Would you recommend it
to someone else? Why or why not?
Would you like to read something else by this author? Why or why not?

Reflection
Children learn to take responsibility for their own
learning.
This is reflected in how effectively they make choices
and take ownership of their Reading Circle group.
They quickly take charge of their own discussions,
hold each other accountable for their individual
reading and how they carry out their role.
The positive peer pressure that the members of each
group place on each other contribute to each child's
accountability to the rest of the group.
9
Reflection

When children engage with texts and one another in these ways,
they take control of their literacy in positive and rewarding ways.

Choice of reading materials and choice of language to discuss
what was read, provided opportunities for the children to improve
their levels of both fluency and literacy.
10
Resources

Role descriptions
Role badges
Choice of reading materials
Clip Boards
Role Pro-formas
Table Top Word Mat
Bell


11