1. Virtual Literature Circles Erika Tyner Yancey County Schools East Yancey Middle School

2. Using Action Research To Empower North Carolina Educators A Race to the Top Initiative NC Department of Public Instruction Educator Effectiveness Division

3. Questions? Jot them down!

4. Let’s Take a Quick Poll What are your experiences with Literature Circles?

5. Problems of Practice Traditional Literature Circles Teacher Not Present 100% of Time Distractions Missed Teachable Moments Students “Flying Under Radar” (reading, work, and discussions)

6. Why is this Research Important? English Language Arts Common Core Standards Reading: Literature Speaking and Listening

7. Who Might Benefit from Research ? ●Middle Grades Teachers ●Language Arts Teachers ●Reading Specialists ●Technology Facilitators ●Media Specialists

8. How will this Innovation Benefit Students ? ●Deeper Understanding of Texts ●Richer Literature Circle Discussions ●Additional Student Accountability (reading, work, and in discussions) ●Whole Class Lessons Targeting Issues ●Written Platform (for students struggling with verbal communication)

9. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Research Question Can Technology Enhance Engagement and Reading Comprehension?* *(as compared to traditional face-to-face experiences)

10. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Study Participants 6th grade Language Arts All Ability Levels (emergent, struggling, & above grade level readers) Rural Area (Western North Carolina)

11. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Study Variables Independent Variable Discussion Method during Literature Circle Meetings 1st Nine Weeks - Traditional (Face-to-Face) Vs. 2nd Nine Weeks - Virtual Discussion Dependent Variables Reading Comprehension Abilities Engagement/Interest in Reading

12. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Innovation/Intervention Online Discussion Format Teacher present for 100% of time Record of Student Participation Documented Discussion (used as teachable moments later) Active Dialogue - leading to a richer, deeper understanding of the text (between students and students/teachers)

13. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Implementation in the Classroom Virtual Classroom Discussion Options Edmodo (used in study) Google Docs Blackboard GOODREADS BLOGGER

14. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Implementation in the Classroom Planning is Key! http://goo.gl/2UQRD1 Link to Google Doc Folder - ALL Handouts

15. Materials Book Literature Circle Packet Post-it Notes

16. Planning for Virtual Literature Circles Link to Teacher Planning Information

17. Literature Circle Teacher Log Link to Teacher Log Group 1 Book Title StudentBook #Assigned Letter (A, B, C, or D) Book Returned Lit. Circle Log Grade

18. Virtual Literature Circle Packet Link to Packet *A Modified Packet is also in the Google Docs Folder*

19. Examples

21. Literature Circle Participation Rubric Link to Online Discussion Rubric Student Name: Book: Class: MeetingAll Materials (Check off) # of comments in correct form (10 points per comment, 8 comments required) # of replies to teacher (10 points per reply, 2 replies required) Grade (# x 10) 1 2 3 4 5 6

22. Virtual Literature Circle Handouts Also in the Google Docs Folder: http://goo.gl/2UQRD1 ●Modified Virtual Literature Circle Packet ●Virtual Literature Circle Packet Rubric for Grading ●Virtual Literature Circle Meeting #6 Questions

23. Traditional Literature Circle Handouts In the Google Docs Folder: http://goo.gl/G0n6TR ●Traditional Literature Circle Packet ●Modified Traditional Literature Circle Packet ●Traditional Literature Circle Order of Events

24. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Implementation in the Classroom Example #1 Discussion in Edmodo Link to Discussion

25. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Implementation in the Classroom Example #2 Discussion in Edmodo Link to Discussion

26. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Collect Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Implementation in the Classroom Example #3 Discussion in Edmodo Link to Discussion

27. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Data Collected ●Student Interest Surveys ●Parent Surveys on Interest of Students (Homework) ●Homework Completion ●District Benchmark Scores (Fiction Questions Only) ●Teacher Collected Engagement Data ●Plot Diagram Scores ●Literature Circle Student Grades ●Student Self Assessments ●Student Interviews ●Student Case Studies/Anecdotes

28. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Data Collected Anecdotal Data ❖ David’s Story ❖ Elliot’s Story ❖ Ivy’s Story ❖ Ilene’s Story

29. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Collect Data Preliminary Findings While students seem to be fairly equally engaged in both Traditional and Virtual Literature Circles, Virtual Literature Circles have a more positive impact on reading comprehension.

30. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Collect Data Recommendations Combination of Traditional and Virtual

31. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Collect Data Additional Thoughts Open-ended Questions vs. Post-it Notes Authentic Experience Roles Badges

32. Make Knowledge Public Analyze/Interpret Data Innovation/Intervention Action Research Plan Collect Data Limitations of Online Format Students Struggling with Written Expression Technology Availability Technology Problems Internet Availability (school and home) Misspellings

33. Questions Is there anything you would like to discuss or ask?

34. Conclusion of Presentation Thank you for your participation. Name: Erika Tyner School/District: East Yancey Middle School Phone: 828-682-2281 Email: ehschultz@yanceync.net Virtual Literature Circles Handouts http://goo.gl/2UQRD1 Traditional Literature Circle Handouts http://goo.gl/G0n6TR