Teaching ARL Students

Literature Circles has proven to be an excellent tool to differentiate for the many, varied independent reading levels found within a classroom, but often the literature circle groups are only connected by time and space. The reading groups work independently seldom making connections to the other literature groups within the classroom.  One way to successfully connect the skills, processes and understandings within the classroom is by linking the various literature circle groups by a common theme.  Students maybe reading different novels at different reading levels, but they are able to discuss similar themes and analyze the material by using similar critical thinking skills.

Selecting a Meaningful Theme

The theme should be broad enough to offer a variety of opportunities for discovery within the text.  It should connect human experiences into meanings that are broad enough to promote higher levels of thinking, feeling and understanding.

The following guidelines are some suggestions for selecting your theme:

• Does the theme relate to life’s important understandings?
• Is the theme valuable for your particular group of students?
• Can you identify several significant generalizations around the theme?
• Does the theme offer opportunities to develop critical thinking lessons and apply curriculum based reading strategies?

Sample themes might include:  Freedom, Friendship, Choices, Survival, Courage, and Cooperation

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