The Impact of Literature Circles on Students' Growth in a Selected First Grade Class
Date
2017
Authors
Little, Catherine M.
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact ofliterature circles on a selected first
grade class. The sample consisted of 13 students in a Response to Intervention class. Data were
collected through two district- mandated tests; the STAR 360 and Oral Running Records. Data
were also collected through student literature circle journals. The students participated in
literature circles for the first semester of the school year. Data were compared from the
beginning of the year to the middle of the year to compare for differences. The results indicated
that literature circles impact students in a selected first grade class in a positive way. There were
several trends in this study; student writing matured, students \Vrote stronger journal entries,
students led their own learning, student scaled scores a.>Jd percentile rank increased on the STAR
360, and students read and comprehended complex nonfiction text above their cmTent grade
level. These trends indicate that literature circles can be used to challenge advanced students
within the framework of Response to Intervention to help them continue to grow in reading and
in writing. Further research is recommended using a different research design.
Description
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Thesis
Keywords
Literature circles, Response to intervention, Master of Education (M.Ed.) Thesis