Concentric

Literacy Strategy: Concentric Circles

__Before:__

1. Choose text to jigsaw 2. Create a handout with background and essential question that everyone reads 3. Choose a number of informational chunks that corresponds logically to the content (i.e 3 branches of government/6 levels of food pyramid/5 theories of the failing of Jamestown colony/steps of a process)

__During:__

1. All students read the essential question and background information. 2. Students who are designated A read the text and become an “expert” in one chunk of information 3. Students who are Bs sit together to pose questions about the material. 4. Students pair up (one A and one B), then the class forms two concentric circles with partner A on the inside and Partner B on the outside. Partners face each other. 5. The Bs move around and the As remain stationary. The Bs pose their questions to the person they’re facing and Partner A shares his/her expertise with Partner B, then rotate. 6. For a check of understanding, the Bs remain standing while the As rotate and check for understanding.

__After:__

COULD INCLUDE:

1. Exit tickets that corresponds w/ information learned 2. Test question formation 3. Find a fib!

__Additional info:__

Management Tips 1. Alternate way for forming circles: Students create one large circle, they pair up, one partner moves to the inside, partners face each other. 2. Stand inside the circle allows better teacher management. 3. Students can demonstrate they are finished discussing by both turning to face the teacher in the center. 4. Questions should not require paper or pencil to answer. Short answer or higher level thinking skills questions should be asked. 5. Provide two different sets of cards which contain the questions (instead of being asked by the teacher)—one set of the inside circle, one set for the outside circle. Social Skills 1. Proper greeting and farewell comments 2. Giving and accepting praise 3. Giving and accepting constructive criticism 4. Active listening 5. Coaching skills 6. Appropriate noise level

[|__http://www.usd416.org/pages/uploaded_files/Inside_Outside_Circle.pdf__]