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TL 16.22.indd helping you BE THE CHANGE The Teaching Librarian volume 16, no. 2 13 helping you BE THE CHANGE Turning Literature Circles into Social Action Julie Millan Th e results were quite impressive. Students thoroughly enjoyed taking their reading "to the next level." Th e biggest improvement seemed to be in terms of educating themselves about the world around them and fi nding out more information about the particular issues in their books such as poverty and homelessness, child slavery, war, environmental issues, health issues and hunger. Students found many websites and organizations related to particular topics or issues and shared them with each other. Enrollment in existing clubs such as Free Th e Children increased signifi cantly. Students organized more fundraising opportunities throughout the year as well. We did not, however, fi nd that students were able to reach that level of stimulating others to take action - yet! In addition, so many teachers were impressed with the idea and the results that they have asked to participate in the literature circles this year. In planning for this year, we realize that we need to do the literature circles earlier in the year, allowing students more time to investigate, share, participate, and organize opportunities for action within the school. We are also exploring changing literature circles units to information circles, and adapting a unit for use with students at many grade levels. Moving beyond just novels, we would introduce such resources as picture books, non- fi ction articles, videos and websites. Finally, we realized that the language of global citizenship needs to be woven into our classroom (and perhaps even school) language all year long, continuously reminding students of their potential and the opportunities to "be the change you wish to see in the world." ❚ Modifi ed Literature Circles www.accessola.com/bethechange