Introduction to Literature Circles
What are Literature Circles? “professional book clubs" Small discussion groups of students who are reading the same book Each member has a job, which changes each meeting
Literature Circles Jobs Discussion Director Connector Literary Luminary Vocabulary Enricher Character Analyzer Investigator (Extra member)
DISCUSSION DIRECTOR: Directs discussion Prepares higher-level thinking questions that lead to discussion by the group
CONNECTOR: Find connections between the book and the outside world. Can be connected to your life, what is happening in your community, similar events at other times and places, or to other people and problems.
LITERARY LUMINARY Points out important passages within the reading interesting powerful funny puzzling important Provides rationale
VOCABULARY ENRICHER Completes vocabulary squares and learns meaning of the five words provided Defines and discusses these words with the group Teaches words to group
CHARACTER ANALYZER Chooses a character and completes the character chart Identifies the character’s physical and personality traits Finds quotes to support them
Investigator Find background information on any topic related to the text. Geography/culture of the setting History of the time period Background on the author Music, objects, or word derivation Investigator keeps a record of where they looked for information and whether or not they were successful.
PENALTIES During your first group meeting, decide on penalties for: Absent students Incomplete job sheets Non-participation Remember, you will lose points and/or have more work to do if other students don’t do their part.
PROCEDURES Before Meeting Complete required reading Complete role/job sheets
PROCEDURES During Meeting Discuss your role/job sheet Talk about anything interesting, confusing, exciting, etc. (everyone MUST participate)
PROCEDURES After/At the End of Meeting Assign jobs and role sheets Complete Evaluation Sheet Turn in job sheets and evaluations
“CIRCLE TIME” - Model 35 minutes - share job responsibilities with group members and have an open conversation about the book 5 minutes – assign new jobs for next class meeting 5 minutes – completing the group evaluation