Date Approved
6-22-2009
Embargo Period
3-17-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Teaching
Department
Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education
College
College of Education
Advisor
McBee, Robin
Subject(s)
Reading (Elementary); Reading comprehension
Disciplines
Elementary Education and Teaching
Abstract
In a fourth grade class where the majority of students were reading below grade level, literature circles were introduced and monitored for their ability to (a) raise student motivation to complete class work, (b) improve student interaction and behavior, and (c) raise Fountas and Pinnell reading comprehension levels. Students' class work in the literature circles was compared to similar work from whole group instruction. A rubric measured the attentiveness and behavior of the students in literature circle, whole group, and small group settings. The study was bookended by two Fountas and Pinnell benchmark reading assessments that were compared for signs of reading comprehension improvement. The results show that the students successfully completed literature circle activities with greater frequency and fewer mistakes than other observed class activities. The attentiveness and behavior of the students was improved in literature circle settings over whole group and small group settings. Reading comprehension levels rose at the end of the study, but can not be attributed solely to the introduction of literature circles.
Recommended Citation
Kaufmann, Richard L., "The impact of literature circles on reading comprehenson in a fourth grade class" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 631.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/631
