Expanding The Mind

Yesterday I went to a Professional Development workshop that was held by one of my professor's grad students. The workshop was only a little more than an hour long but it was definitely worth while! I've learned that through my time at Mount Saint Mary College I have been studying hard and working for a certification for teaching, but yesterday I finally realized that even though I have academic focuses I needed to broaden them because as young as I am, I am forever learning.

The workshop that I was placed in was to learn further and participate within a literature circle. The grad students that presented the topic explained many misconceptions for literature circles, shared ideas from their experience, explained the immense variety of benefits for this method, and also shared how a literature circle can be used online AND in the classroom.

As I was sitting there, listening and interacting, I realized that a literature circle does not only have to be able language art texts. This method can be done in any academic subject, especially social studies! There are millions of biographies, informational texts, fiction, and nonfiction books about different parts of history and the historical figures involved.

As I mentioned before, you can use literature circles online, essentially as a class project! Each student will receive a job and it will be their responsibility to complete all of your assignments online. We live in a technological society, which is something that must be embraced! Allowing students a safe place on the internet will give them the chance to show their technological skills and attirtubes. Again, this is a great opportunity for students and teachers to learn from each other!

A literature circle is one of the most successful methods of learning I have witnessed and been involved in within the classroom. It engages students, activates their prior knowledge, and allows them to express their creativity! I am beyond thankful and glad that I could experience this workshop and hear the thoughts of others.