Literature Circles YOU choose the BOOK YOU bring

Literature Circles YOU choose the BOOK. YOU bring the book to LIFE. WE talk it through with our PEERS.

What in the world are literature circles? p Your GROUP is 4 students who are reading the same book as you p GROUPS meet every morning to discuss the reading assignment from the day before p YOU write/draw notes for discussion according to your designated ROLE p Discussion topics come from YOU and your PEERS, roles are given to direct the conversation p The GROUP will engage in a natural, open discussion about the book

How do I know who is in my group? p Mrs. Rindfleisch and Ms. Dobson decide!

What are the ROLES and why do we have them? p DISCUSSION DIRECTOR p LITERARY LUMINARY p VOCABULARY ENRICHER p CONNECTER You will be assigned only one role. Make sure you are well prepared – your group is depending on you!

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR: Comes up with questions while reading. p Asks questions during lit. circles for group to discuss. p Wide questions: open ended, usually begins with “Why? ” Narrow questions: questions with only one answer.

LITERARY LUMINARY: Highlights interesting pieces of the text to show the group. The group reads the choices aloud and discusses why the choice is significant.

VOCABULARY ENRICHER: chooses words that are difficult or used in an unfamiliar way. And the KEY to meaningful lit. circles. . . CONNECTER: finds a connection between the story and another book, event in their personal life or the outside world

Steps for successful Literature Circles p Do the assigned reading – we will give you plenty of time in class to read and do your ROLE! p While reading you TAB the spot that you choose to discuss in your group with a sticky note. (See Example) n At least 1 sticky note is required for your role. (Do as many sticky notes as you like. The discussion will be better the more you have to talk about!)

I will be walking around to make sure you and your group are. . . p Supporting your ideas/opinion using the book. p What words or pictures in the book made you think of your idea/opinion? -Back up your claims with TEXTUAL EVIDENCE? p Support your ideas with your own experience. p What happened in your life that is like this situation? -Who do you know that is like this character and why?

Journal it! After every discussion you will have time to arrange your sticky note(s) according to the example on the wall in class. Keep a running journal of the following information in your notebook for your own understanding. Journal prompts will look something like this: Main characters – what do you think of them? Why? Is there a conflict? How does it make you feel? What social issues does this book adress? Use the text to SHOW ME! What literary tools are used? symbolism, allegory, alliteration, metaphor, allusion, etc. . .

This should be an easy grade. . . all you have to do is participate! Your journals will count for points at the end of the summer semester! There are no wrong answers as long as your are trying! You are graded based on the following: Completion Thoughtfulness Participation

We’ll practice some of the roles. . . p Come up with Discussion Director questions from, Harrison Bergeron we’ll decide if they are fat or skinny questions! p Practice Literary Luminary by picking out an interesting or important passage, or maybe something you don’t understand. p Find a word you’re unfamiliar with, that is what the Vocabulary Enricher does! p Write down how something in the story connects to your life or the life of someone you know, that’s being a Connector! Connector