We have been doing this by email with Peabody Children's Lit students this year at Percy Priest. Use open-ended techniques. . . Describe the relationship between . . . What do you think it means when . Literature Discussion Groups Heterogeneous small group, student directed and teacher guided discussion that occurs as a book is being read.
Every student has an opportunity to speak.
Talk moves past prediction, central story, and plot happenings to critical analysis. Teacher can participate as a contributing member and can bring out salient points or share an opinion, but this is done as conversation rather than asking questions. All students should have access to a copy of the book. Discussion groups should last from 10 to 20 minutes. Teacher's copy of the book can have questions written in the margins, vocabulary underlined, and notes of points to bring out in the discussion.