Objective I:

• To assess the literacy performance of boys and girls in a natural, authentic environment and to investigate the discrepancy between their performances during the 2001-2003 school years.
• To implement the literature circles strategy
  
  
  

Data Collection/Method of Evaluation:

• Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (McKenna & Kear, 1990)
• Basic Reading Inventory (Johns, 2001)
• Student reading interview
• Literature Circles role sheets
• Video/audio tapes
• Teacher reflection meetings
• Teacher reflections
  
  
  

Activities:

• Assessment Activities
• Selected and trained assessors and teachers
• Administered Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (McKenna & Kear, 1990)
• Administered Basic Reading Inventory (Johns, 2001)
• Administered student reading interview
  
  
  

• Implementation Activities
• Workshops held for teachers on the implementation of literature circles
• Provided professional resources for teachers
• Teacher/researcher reflection meetings
• Purchased multiple copies of texts for student use during literature circles
• Researchers regularly visited the research classrooms
• Researchers acted as participants/observers to support teachers and students