ABSTRACT
Literature studies can go in different directions and serve lots of purposes. Teachers photocopy reviews of books being read and make them part of the discussion. Ann Mennonno taught in a multi-age second-/third-grade classroom in a public school located in downtown Indianapolis. The idea of literature circles is built on the assumption that "through conversation and dialogue, readers have the opportunity to explore their own half-formed ideas, to expand their understandings through hearing others' interpretations, and to become critical and inquiring thinkers". Kathy Short and Kathryn Mitchell Pierce label the time when they teach mini-lessons as guided reading time to distinguish it from literature circles time. The chapter provides a partial list of reasons for doing literature study that can also be tied into most standards for developing higher level thinking skills. Literature study hones language skills and teaches new and valuable techniques for communication.
