AbstractsEducation Research & Administration

In compliance to the new literacy shifts in education, a qualitative study was conducted with the intention to aid improvement in literacy instruction. The course of the study spanned for four weeks in one third grade classroom within the same school building. This study was designed to see what would happen when third graders met to discuss what they read within literature circles not only in the classroom face to face but online as well through a discussion board. Students read leveled, historical fiction novels pertaining to a theme of Native Americans. It was concluded that literature circles online and face to face, provided effective forums for student engagement and comprehension with the text.