(lit circles)

Literature Circles

Small groups of students gather together to discuss a piece of literature in depth.

Groups meet on a regular, predictable schedule to discuss their reading.

Usually 3-5 studentsDifferent groups read different

books

What are lit circles?

45 minutes: Read lit circle book and take notes as you read .

10 minutes: Complete your job for the day (all work will go in your group’s folder).

10 minutes: Discuss with your group what you accomplished in your job (about 1-2 minutes per person). Every member must share.

25 minutes: Complete daily activity with your group members (this will usually be turned in to the box).

Daily Schedule:

Be sure that your table is cleaned up and organized at the end of the class periodCount the books and stack them Put all job packets in the group’s folderPut folders on the back deskOrganize and stack headphonesPut discs with the stereoThrow trash awayPut supplies awayStraighten the desks

Table Expectations

Your job is to write a summary of what happened in your book today-the gist, key points, main highlights, the essence of the reading. A good summary will provide me with character names, a description of events, and at least one quote from the book.

Your summary must be at least 60 words.

Job #1: Summarizer

Your job is to make a thinking map covering something important from the chapters. It could have something to do with a character, the plot or the setting.

You must also come up with a symbol to represent the chapter as well as a clear explanation on why you think that symbol represents the entire chapters from today.

Job #2: Thinking Map/Symbol

Your job is to write down questions about cause and effect from the chapters. Take at least 3 questions back to the group to discuss but you must write 5. Make sure you know the answers to your questions and where to support those answers in the text before asking your group members to answer.

Job #3: Cause & Effect Facilitator

Your job is to write down questions about how the characters are feeling. This is a little tricky because exact answers may not be found in the passage, but you should find the areas of the text where can answers can be inferred.

Job #4: Feeling Facilitator

Your job is to locate a few (3-5) special sections of the text that you would like to read aloud to your group. This can be a quote of importance or a passage that you thought was surprising, insightful, confusing, enlightening, controversial, etc..

When presenting your passage to the group ask them to follow along as you read it aloud and then ask “Why do you think I chose this passage?”. When your group is finished discussing your first selection repeat the same procedure until each passage you chose has been examined by your group.

Job #5: Literary Luminary

Your job is to find at least 5 connections between your book and the outside world. These connections can be text-to-self, text-to-text, or text-to-others. There are no right or wrong answers, but your connections should be thoughtful and encourage discussion between group members.

Job #6: Connector

Your job is to either make a prediction or inference (include textual evidence). You will also write an opinion statement and a question you have about the story from the day’s reading.

Job #7: Fortune Teller

When all groups have finished their book Tuesday, February, 24th), you will then work on a book project.

You will have some class time to work on this project, but some of it may need to be completed at home or at Homework Help Center.

Your project will be a book trailer. We will work on this in the lab the week after we finish our books. You will have different options of how to make your book trailer. We will view these trailers in class.

Final Project

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. MartinThe False Prince by Jennifer A. NielsenIsland of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’DellThe Lightning Thief by Rick RiordanThe London Eye Mystery by Siobhan DowdThe Phantom Tollbooth by Norton JusterStar Girl by Jerry SpinelliWaiting for Normal by Leslie ConnorWhen Zachary Beaver Came to Town by

Kimberly Willis Holt

2nd/3rd Book Choices:

The False Prince by Jennifer A. NielsenIsland of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’DellThe London Eye Mystery by Siobhan

DowdManiac Magee by Jerry SpinelliNo More Dead Dogs by Gordon KormanStar Girl by Jerry SpinelliWaiting for Normal by Leslie ConnorWhen Zachary Beaver Came to Town by

Kimberly Willis Holt

Book Choices: