Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Faulkner University

Second Presenter's Institution

NA

Third Presenter's Institution

NA

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Location

Session 8 (Westbrook)

Strand #1

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Relevance

1. HEAD- Academic achievement: Effective pedagogy is essential to student learning and achievement. Conference session will focus practical and proven instructional methodology for the elementary and middle grades.

Brief Program Description

Story Squad was developed after experiencing the use of Literature Circles in a fourth grade classroom. Students enjoyed the idea, but the jobs themselves and process were not engaging. Story Squad presents roles for connecting to literature after giving students “a mission” to solve. Roles expand past the traditional Literature Circle roles and directly connect to state standards. Can be used and adapted for 3-8th grade.

Summary

Literature Circles have long been regarded as an effective reading instructional strategy. Literature Circles promote cooperative learning discussions, independent reading and oral language skills. Story Squad jobs are developed to help classroom teachers by connecting state standards to assigned roles.

A. Objectives of the program

  1. Review the benefits and use of Literature Circles in the classroom
  2. Explain the process of Story Squad and the connection to state standards
  3. Practice using Story Squad jobs

B. Methods of presenting content (lecture, video-driven, hands-on, etc.)

Presentation will begin lecture and then allow attendees to use the Story Squad roles with a practice text.

Evidence

Literature Circles have long been regarded as an effective reading instructional strategy. Literature Circles promote cooperative learning discussions, independent reading and oral language skills. Developed by Harvey Daniels, Literature Circles foster student-centered instruction, allowing each student involved to be actively and intentionally involved in reading. Cooperative Learning is included in Classroom Instruction That Works: Research Based Strategies for Increasing Student Achievement (Marzano, Pickering, & Pollack, 2001) as one of nine most effective instructional strategies. As a part of the Literature Circle experience, students have discussions about their assigned text. Students must be responsible in completing their role to fully participate.

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Leslie Cowell serves as the Dean and Associate Professor for the College of Education at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. She earned her doctorate in Elementary Education from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Prior to her position in higher education, Dr. Cowell taught 4th and 5th grade and worked as Elementary Principal for seven years. She is also on staff with an inner city program, Common Ground Montgomery, serving children ages PreK-12th grade in Montgomery, Alabama.

Keyword Descriptors

Reading, Literature Circles, Standards Based Instruction, Classroom Instruction

Presentation Year

2020

Start Date

3-11-2020 9:45 AM

End Date

3-11-2020 11:00 AM

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Mar 11th, 9:45 AM Mar 11th, 11:00 AM

Story Squad: Connecting Books, Standards, and Literature Circles

Session 8 (Westbrook)

Story Squad was developed after experiencing the use of Literature Circles in a fourth grade classroom. Students enjoyed the idea, but the jobs themselves and process were not engaging. Story Squad presents roles for connecting to literature after giving students “a mission” to solve. Roles expand past the traditional Literature Circle roles and directly connect to state standards. Can be used and adapted for 3-8th grade.