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Rowan University

Exploring the effect of literature circles on reading comprehension and motivation

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of literature circles on elementary school children. It was hypothesized that a third grade class that read independently through the use of the literature circle structure will show greater gains in reading comprehension and reading motivation than when the same third grade class does not experience the literature circle structure. The sample included a predetermined class of 24 third-grade students, which consists of 9 females and 15 males.</p> <p>The non-treatment conditions consisted of small group guided reading lessons. The treatment conditions consisted of the implementation of literature circles. Student reading comprehension was measured by a series of pretests and post-tests. To measure reading motivation and attitude, the researcher used the method of observation and interviews. By using a t-test to compare test scores, the researcher found that there was not a significant difference between the non-treatment conditions (small group guided reading) and the treatment conditions (literature circles). Although, the researcher's observations and student interviews show a significant positive change after the implementation of literature circles, the hypothesis was not supported.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.S. in Teaching
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education
Year dc:date.available
2005

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Anderson, Christina
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Robinson, Randall

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/959
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1959

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Rowan University
Base URL
rdw.rowan.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Anderson, Christina. Exploring the effect of literature circles on reading comprehension and motivation. Thesis thesis, 2005. https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/959