The document discusses various theories of reader response, including New Criticism which focuses on the inherent meaning of the text, and Reader Response theory which emphasizes the role of the reader in constructing meaning. It specifically examines Louise Rosenblatt's Transactional Theory of Reading, which describes how readers interact dynamically with texts by making personal associations that trigger memories. The document then discusses understanding children's responses to literature, including listening behaviors, contact with books, impulse to share, actions and drama, oral response, and written response. Finally, it defines and describes key aspects of literature circles, including student choice, temporary small groups, discussion roles, and being student-driven.

1. Response
To Literature

2. Response Theories
• Focusing on what is read/ the text (New Criticism)
- New Critics view pieces of literature as having their inherent meaning, and the role of
the reader is to uncover the meaning of the text without looking at the author’s
background or context, and without considering any personal meanings evoked by the
piece
• Focusing on the reader (Reader Response)
- As a reaction against the New Critics, Reader Response theorists focus on the role of the
reader as important in the meaning-making process. One of the Reader Response theorists
in Louise Rosenblatt, with her Transactional Theory of Reading.

3. Louise Rosenblatt
Transactional
Theory of Reading
(1938)
Louise Rosenblatt introduced her
Transactional Theory under the umbrella of
Reader Response Theory. She explained that
a reader “transacts” with the text (what one
reads) during the reading process. The marks
on the page become meaningful as the
reader makes personal associations with the
words, triggering memories of past events
related to the words. There is thus a dynamic
interaction between the reader and the text—
which she termed as transaction.

4. Reader Response Theory

5. Understanding Children’s
Responses to Literature
• Books for Ages and Stages (refer to this for RA Plans)
• (Kiefer, 2014, p. 39; Kiefer, 2010, p.44)

6. Patterns of Response
• Listening Behaviors
• Contact with Books
• Impulse to Share
• Actions and Drama
• Oral Response
• Written Response

7. How would you want your
students to respond to
the books you read
aloud?

8. Literature Circles
Definition:
“Literature Circles are temporary groupings of 4 or 5
students who meet regularly to discuss a work of literature
that all members of the group have chosen to read” (Yopp &
Yopp, 2010, p. 57)

9. Literature Circle in Action
• http://mediacast.ttu.edu/Mediasite/Play/e1bcb5a62f3a424
4b94af5b8e5ebe5071d?catalog=4dc7289a-d3e0-4ae5-
8fdc-5b86c027a06b -
http://mediacast.ttu.edu/Mediasite/Play/e1bcb5a62f3a424
4b94af5b8e5ebe5071d?catalog=4dc7289a-d3e0-4ae5-
8fdc-5b86c027a06b

10. Literature Circles
• Members of a small, temporary discussion group who
have chosen to read the same story, poem, article or book.
• Each member prepares to take specific responsibilities in
the upcoming discussion, and everyone comes to the
group with notes needed to help perform that job
• The circles have regular meetings, with discussion roles
rotating each session.
• When they finish a book, the circle members plan a way
to share highlights of their reading with the wider
community

11. Literature Circles (Cont.)
• Once readers can successfully conduct their own wide-
ranging, self-sustaining discussions, formal discussion
roles may be dropped
• Literature circles are not a trendy label for small-group
reading lessons
• Literature circles in its true essence is when independent
reading and cooperative learning come together to create
an exciting classroom activity

12. Key Features
1) Student choice
2) Small temporary groups
3) Based on students’ interests
4) Regular discussion
5) students’ notes
6) Student driven and student-centered
7) open, natural conversations – authentic
8) Flexibility
9) Teacher is a facilitator
10) Teacher observes & students evaluate themselves
11) Fun & playfulness

13. Literature Circle Roles
• Passage Picker
• Fortune Teller
• Artful Artist
• Summarizer
• Connector
• Discussion Director
In the next page, you will see bookmarks which you can print
and provide to your students to guide them of their roles. When
they are familiar with the process, then these bookmarks are
unnecessary.

14. Fort une Teller
Your job is
to try to
predict what
you think will
happen later
in the book.
Be sure to
use clues
from the
book to help
you make
your
predictions.