Books are an essential part of any teacher's kit. Since reading and writing are essential basic skills, exposing students to the writings of others is essential.
But how do you find your way through this vast array of works for young readers? How can we create a sense of meaning that will enable us to build educational activities around reading and writing? Reading networks can help.
Gathering books around themes
Literary networks are groupings by a third party (teacher or other) of texts designed to stimulate and complement each other. In this way, the teacher ends up with bibliographies that can be used as pedagogical tools for reading comprehension activities, writing workshops or oral communication. These networks can be organized around a number of common points:
- The theme of the books
- the author
- Literary genre
- Writing techniques
- Character types
- Pictorial elements
For example, this Quebec teacher has created a whole network around Black History Month, which takes place in February. She uses a variety of books in her classroom to explore cultural aspects and segregation.
The question of cultural diversity also comes up in this other network. It can also deal with literary issues such as the reinvention of classic tales, or subjects like police investigations. In other words, anything can be tackled, offering teachers almost infinite possibilities that can be adapted to the learners' academic level.
Networked didactic potential
And while the focus may appear to be on reading, a reading network is not just about reading. Of course, it will initially involve reading, but the teacher will then be invited to propose pedagogical activities depending on what he or she is trying to achieve. He can use the network to teach elements of the French lexicon (or even other languages in foreign language courses). They can organize read-alouds to practice oral communication and reading intentions.
Writing can be initiated by students' free reflections on what they've read, or by writing exercises on the perception of a character, among other things. Books are always the starting point for the exercise. All the more so as they could be an opportunity to write differently. What if, after reading a number of texts in alexandrine, the students were to try their hand at it too? They could draw inspiration from the different poems and work on writing 12-foot verses.
Organizing your selection
Setting up such networks requires, above all, good planning from the outset around the theme of the network and the different works chosen. It's better to select a few works that will be offered in several copies to students, rather than a selection that's too broad.
There's nothing to stop you creating your own unique network, but Quebec teachers can take advantage of"Constella
tions", a Ministry of Education website that has designed a number of networks for each cycle of primary and secondary education. A good starting point if this is the first time a network is used in the classroom.
In the U.S., there are even paid workshops to help teachers set up networks in their classrooms, on any subject they choose.
The literary networking exercise is an approach that not only gives meaning to readings, but also opens up learners' curiosity towards lesser-known works and writing styles.
Today, literary networks can be used to highlight different types of literature from Africa and other countries. A relevant tool for teachers at all levels.
Photo: zzve on DepositPhotos
References:
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De Sequeira, Caroline. "Literary networks and the production of writing." DUMAS. Last updated: June 20, 2018. https://dumas.ccsd.cnrs.fr/dumas-02149340.
JOURNO, Aurélie. "Literary networks and digital media in contemporary African literature" OpenEdition Journals. Last updated: December 15, 2021. https://journals.openedition.org/erea/12822?lang=en.
Kanozayire, Benita. "Diversity in all its forms: adaptable literary mini-networks from cycle 1 to cycle 3!" I teach with children's literature. Last updated: March 19, 2023. https://enseignerlitteraturejeunesse.com/2023/03/19/la-diversite-sous-toutes-ses-formes-mini-reseaux-litteraires-adaptables-du-1er-au-3e-cycle/?doing_wp_cron=1705421991.8584458827972412109375.
"Children's literature in the classroom: where to start?" A teacher's life. Last updated April 2020. https://uneviedeprof.jimdofree.com/litt%C3%A9rature/.
Morin, Marie-France, and Lucie Roger. "Les réseaux littéraires: clé du passeur culturel." Érudit. Last updated 2014. https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/qf/2014-n171-qf01221/71237ac.pdf.
"Literary Network - Black History Month." MieuxEnseigner Canada. Accessed January 20, 2024. https://www.mieuxenseigner.ca/boutique/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=111641.
"Literary Network: Surveys for Elementary Cycles 2 and 3." Monsite. Last updated October 19, 2020. https://www.adp-pedago.com/post/r%C3%A9seau-litt%C3%A9raire-autour-des-enqu%C3%AAtes.
"Literary Works Networks." Les TIC Au CSSDM. Accessed January 20, 2024. https://cybersavoir.csdm.qc.ca/abc/2e-cycle/reseaux-doeuvres-litteraires/.
Sauvageau, Claudine, and Emmanuelle Soucy. "Les réseaux littéraires, pour enseigner le lexique dans une approche intégrée du français." CTREQ - RIRE. Last updated: November 2, 2023. https://rire.ctreq.qc.ca/les-reseaux-litteraires-pour-enseigner-le-lexique-dans-une-approche-integree-du-francais/.
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