Use this form to help determine the concepts to emphasize as you support childrens participation and engagement in circle

experiences. S = Secure N = Needs Time/Practice/Support = Not yet assessed (leave blank)

List Childrens Names

Typically sits and listens attentively Talks about books and listens to others Engages with text and thinks like a reader
For children who do not participate attentively or effectively, consider doing the following:

Set up an agreement for the children to attempt five minutes of high-quality participation before moving to another activity (Play-Doh, book bin, or drawing). Extend to ten, fifteen, and twenty minutes. Enlist the childrens help in choosing the literature to be read for a week of read-alouds. Use book possibilities suggested on an interest inventory (see Book 2 Form 5.2: Interest Inventory). Enlist the childrens help in modeling the think topics during the class read aloud by prereading parts of the upcoming book together. Try new or unexpected genres such as game instructions for classroom games or humorous poetry. Have a week of small-group read-alouds for the children with whom you are concerned. Emphasize and scaffold effective participation. Explore what happens with changes in seating position. Direct conversation directly to the child who has had difficulty, involving him or her in the conversation. Show the chart above and ask the child to self evaluate. For areas that need improvement, discuss ideas to try.

Form 3.3
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Kidwatching Tool: Participation and Engagement in Circle Experiences Checklist

May be copied for single classroom use. 2007 by Gretchen Owocki from Literate Days: Reading and Writing with Preschool and Primary Children. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann