Students are also given a chance to form their own opinion and interpretation of the book while using their peers' constructive criticism to guide them. Students may feel intimidated by the teacher and not voice their personal opinion during a classroom discussion. These informal discussions are good for developing group projects. Groups of four to six students are an optimum size. This classroom structure enables readers to become engaged with literature.
Students are more likely to become involved when they discuss what they have read in their groups.
It puts pressure on students to read each day, or week, in order to please their peers and participate in the discussion. Students will respond better if they need to satisfy their classmates and the teacher. These stories, written in late eighteenth century Southern, African-American slave dialect, are intended to be read aloud by and to third graders. The basic moral issues it raises are great for sparking discussions of right and wrong. The stories were also comedic.