Literature Circles

Reading the Novel The novel reading is divided into thirds with a due date for each section. Groups will determine pages to read. Groups are encouraged to stay together. After each third is to be read, group members have the right to “ruin” it for the reader. Reading days are built in! READ instead of using class as a study hall. You are guaranteed these days! Do your part! Read along!

Understanding the Reading Logs Reading logs are MANDATORY and a daily grade. Follow instructions to get full points. Quotes as well as citations are REQUIRED. Your thoughts are also REQUIRED. ½ credit for partial work. Serve dual purpose: 1. Helps record important moments in your reading. 2. Helps prepare for Group Discussions. 4 or 8 entries will be assigned – will vary as time goes by.

Grading the Reading Logs All reading logs will be turned in at the beginning of class on “Group Discussion” days. Reading logs are submitted with the group discussion but are a separate daily grade per student. Reading logs completed during the group discussion and turned in after the discussion is completed will be considered late and are eligible for partial credit.

Group Discussion Logs Use your completed reading logs to complete the discussion log. Feel free to transfer your ideas from one document to the other. Each student is responsible for contributing to the group discussion. Follow instructions for full credit. Make sure to use quotes as well as citations and explain your ideas appropriately. Double check your group’s work. The end product is everyone’s responsibility.

Group Discussion Jobs Jobs should rotate with each group discussion assignment. Recorder – takes notes during discussion. Time Keeper – watches time and gives verbal warnings according to pace taken. Task Master – keeps group on task as well as encourages quiet students to participate. Participant – contributes to group discussion, helps recorder hear and remember thoughts to record, finds information necessary to complete discussion log accurately. ALL students participate in contributing information.

Group Discussion Reminders Label the members’ jobs. Do your job. Work together. Complete ALL of the top of the document. Summary – the current reading assignment, complete together Fig. Lang. – 2 required – Give quotes and explain importance. Author’s purpose – pose a moment, passage, etc. (quote) and then explain the possible purpose of the quote chosen Notable passage – give quotation – explain importance. Tone and Mood – one of each – give quote and explain Vocabulary – quote w/ word underlined, define word, and explain/purpose of word Character Development – show how the author is creating the character or changing a character (quote) – explain “Freebie” (This is NOT optional.) - quotation required – Asking a question? Answer it and give a quote.

Literary Criticism Day Students will be given a piece of literary criticism to read and interpret as it applies to their chosen novel. Students will be asked to respond to the criticism appropriately with reference to the text as well as criticism provided. On some occasions, students may be assigned to submit a piece of literary criticism.

Poetry Day Students will be given a poem to read and interpret either with the group or individually. Students will be asked to link the poem to the novel in short answer response format requiring textual evidence from both the poem as well as the novel. Students may be asked to provide a poem as part of a poetry activity.

Focus Groups Occasionally, students will be asked to discuss a certain aspect of fiction as a group. Characters Plot Theme Quotation Exchange An appropriate group activity will be given to the group to complete. The proximity to the start date and completion date will determine the activity’s topic.

Assessments Group Project – details TBA In Class Essay – topic TBA Pairing novel with works of art (any type of art) In Class Essay – topic TBA Students will be given a generic topic encompassing all novels. Students will be given a class period to approach and respond using the reading logs as well as novel.