A Context for Professional Learning: Teacher Candidates in Intergenerational Literature Circles

Abstract

Our findings indicate that intergenerational literature circles were sites where multi-layered learning took place for teacher candidates. These adult learners developed a deeper understanding of and how children read, learn concepts and respond to text and they enhanced their understandings of multiple perspectives. Teacher candidates indicated that co-learning in the context of a literature circle helped them in their transformation into professional teachers as they experienced and reflected on learners, learning and teaching/learning strategies. Many revised their definitions of ‘teacher’ as a result of their experiences in intergenerational literature circles.