Speaker
KEYWORDS
extensive reading
discussion activities
literature circles
ABSTRACT
Although extensive reading often focuses on individually chosen books, one reason for using class readers in extensive reading, as highlighted by Ramonda (2020), is their ability to promote discussion and provide students with opportunities to check their own understanding. A common approach in such settings is Literature Circles, where each student takes on a specific role, such as summarizing the book, teaching vocabulary, or connecting the book’s themes to their own experiences. Although this method can help deepen understanding, discussion can be limited to sequences of short speeches directed by a facilitator.
This presentation introduces a modification to this discussion format, inspired by de Bono’s (1985) Six Thinking Hats method of parallel thinking where every participant takes on the same role rather than individual roles. In this approach, groups work collaboratively to create shared outputs, such as posters summarizing the book, highlighting key vocabulary, or illustrating cultural points. This adaptation encourages students to share opinions and engage with one another’s ideas, reducing reliance on a teacher or facilitator to manage discussions.
Through work samples and discussion transcripts, attendees will gain insights into implementing parallel Literature Circles in their own classrooms to promote deeper interaction and autonomy in student-led discussions.
| TITLE | Enhancing Engagement in Literature Circles through Parallel Thinking |
|---|---|
| RELEVANT SIG | Extensive Reading |
| FORMAT | Practice-oriented Oral Face-to-face presentation (25 minutes, including Q&A) |
