Literature Circles
For the past five years, Children's Literacy Project volunteers have been facilitating weekly book discussion sessions in the fifth grade classrooms at Bailey Gatzert Elementary School. The circles offer a unique way to help students improve their reading skills and develop a love of literature. Sharing with others, keeps a book-- its characters, the twists and the turns, and its emotion-- alive. A good discussion makes students think and question, and it allows students to see different perspectives, fostering empathy, compassion, and understanding. The circles also support the Global Reading Challenge, a city-wide "Quiz Bowl" contest sponsored by the Seattle Public Library for 4th and 5th graders enrolled in the Seattle Public Schools. After reading 10 books, children take part in a "Quiz Bowl" contest at the downtown library. Facilitators and students are currently looking forward to this exciting competition.