Literature Circles Using Palm Handhelds
by Kay Bolen, kay.bolen@cpsb.org

Content Area(s)
English/Language Arts

Grade Level(s)
2, 

Overview
The palm handheld will be used as a management tool to to enhance the the Literature Circle Activity. Student will utilize the handheld to read an e-book, answer group discussion questions, and log information.

Software
Adobe Reader for the Palm (use your setup CD to Load this software to your Palm. Or use the link to download)(http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/acrrmobiledevices.html) It will allow your Palm to read PDF files. It also loads another desktop tool for syncing PDF files.
Book Log (http://www.freewarepalm.com/hobbies/bookslog.shtml) this software allows student log books, rate them and add notes to the book.

Technology
Palm Handheld
List of Discussion Questions/Journal Prompts to facilitate discussion.(http://home.att.net/~TEACHING/litcircl/fictprompts.pdf) Choose some of these statements to encourage thinking and help student prepare for the group discussion.

Objectives
TLW

Read texts and simple chapter books silently at independent reading level (ELA‑1‑E7)

Make statements about how previous reading and life experiences relate to information read in texts

(ELA‑1‑E6)

Procedures
Steps:
1. To begin a Literature Circle, select three stories for the students to choose from. These stories were downloaded from Stuart Stories. (http://www.stuartstories.com/stories.html)The author composed the stories for his children and had them illustrate. Below are just a sample of the ones that could be used. They download in PDF files including the illustrations
sample stories:
"The Giant who Cried Waterfalls"
"Jack and the Lump of Clay"
"The Little Time Thief"
2. Allow students to choose a story based on interest.
3. Group students according to their literature choice.
4. Assign jobs within the groups to facilitate participation.  (sample of jobs within the circle)
5. USE YOUR PALM- Using Abobe Reader on the Palm Handheld, click on the story, read silently.  
6. Use the Memo Program (provides questions to be answered for higher order thinking skills. See other material at end of lesson.)
Each group member will answer questions from the story, record answers, and generate original discussion questions and thoughts in MEMOS.
7. Group Discussion- Encourage students to share comments, thoughts, and discussion questions about story during group discussion.
8. USE YOUR PALM-Using the Palm software, Book Log, students will record book read, rate it, and add notes about the book.
(Note select stories at differentiated levels and guide students with choice according to ability.)

Other Supporting Material
The%20Giant%20who%20Cried%20Waterfalls
Jack%20and%20the%20Lump%20of%20Clay"
The%20Little%20Time%20Thief"

Submitted on: 5/16/2006 10:33:29 AM