A New Approach to Reading Brings Students Together.

Estante, Sophia. "A New Approach to Reading Brings Students Together." Madison Capital Times. Madison, WI: Feb 10, 2005. Pg. 1B

Sophia Estante reported this story in the Madison Capital Times in 2005, chronicling the success one middle school classroom had with the use of literature circles in their classroom. The teacher is quoted several times in the article, mentioning what the students discuss in their groups (characterization, plot, action, and reading strategies) and how the circles enable students to direct their own learning. A district coordinator is quoted as saying, “Students become independent learners. They learn how to self manage.” The teacher of the classroom enthuses that her students are taking ownership and teaching each other, and special education students are working alongside gifted ones. There are no more students pulled out for special services because this method of teaching addresses children of all abilities.

The reporter of this story is a correspondent, and there is nothing in the article that suggests she has a bias. That being said, she is an unknown. She is a third party, and she leaves herself entirely out of the article. Readers can’t assume she has any background knowledge; she’s just reporting on other people. The people she reports on are probably credible, they are teachers that are using this method in their classrooms, and they are supported by a district learning support coordinator. The role of a learning support coordinator is to assist the teachers in choosing methods of effective instruction.

This article focuses on the middle school experience, but I can use some of the information about students becoming independent learners and taking charge of their own education.