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Ms. Ratzlaff’s Classroom Edit display name

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I like to think of literature circles as student-led "book clubs" with lots of built-in support. In literature circles, students have the chance to engage with books in an authentic way! They have choice in what they read, voice in what they discuss, and a small group of support with whom to share their reading experience. Along with support from their peers, literature circles allow me important time to meet with small groups of students regularly. Literature circles, however, are only as good as their books! Sets of books that have both high-quality writing and relevant and engaging content are key in bringing meaningful literature circles to life and inspiring a life-long love of reading! Literature circles begin with generating what I call "book buzz," with a book tasting or book commercials. Students then get to choose between 4-5 books, (usually connected by genre) and are placed in small groups based on their book choice. After key reading strategies and standards are first modeled by the teacher with a whole-class, read-aloud text, students are given the reigns to read authentically. Like most of us, students seem to be more eager to apply their learning when they can share the experience with friends and are more motivated when they have choice -- especially when the choices are relevant and meaningful to their lives. Thank you so much for your support and for your investment in inspiring literacy and a love of reading in our students!

About my class

I like to think of literature circles as student-led "book clubs" with lots of built-in support. In literature circles, students have the chance to engage with books in an authentic way! They have choice in what they read, voice in what they discuss, and a small group of support with whom to share their reading experience. Along with support from their peers, literature circles allow me important time to meet with small groups of students regularly. Literature circles, however, are only as good as their books! Sets of books that have both high-quality writing and relevant and engaging content are key in bringing meaningful literature circles to life and inspiring a life-long love of reading! Literature circles begin with generating what I call "book buzz," with a book tasting or book commercials. Students then get to choose between 4-5 books, (usually connected by genre) and are placed in small groups based on their book choice. After key reading strategies and standards are first modeled by the teacher with a whole-class, read-aloud text, students are given the reigns to read authentically. Like most of us, students seem to be more eager to apply their learning when they can share the experience with friends and are more motivated when they have choice -- especially when the choices are relevant and meaningful to their lives. Thank you so much for your support and for your investment in inspiring literacy and a love of reading in our students!

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About my class

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