Literature Circle What are Literature Circles?

Literature Circle Process 1. Choose one of the available texts to read. 2. I’ll arrange the class in literature circle groups, based upon book choice. 3. First Literature Circle Meeting Decide how much of the text to read and which role each of you will fill during the next meeting. Make sure you have a copy of the correct role sheet. Read your text and prepare for literature circle meetings.

Literature Circle Process 4.Following Literature Circle Meetings (repeat until the text is finished) Use written or drawn notes to guide the group’s reading and discussion, according to the role you are filling for the session. Be open and make sure that everyone has a chance to participate. Remember that personal stories that connect to the reading and open-ended questions about the text are welcome. Decide how much of the text to read and rotate the roles that each of you will fill during the next meeting. Make sure you have a copy of the correct role sheet. Read your text and prepare for the next literature circle meeting. 5. When books are finished, readers share with their classmates, and then new groups form around new reading choices.

Forecaster As the Forecaster, it is your job to share the predictions you made about the book with your group. Tell them what you predicted before you read and how that prediction turned out. Did you confirm, reject, or refine your prediction? Make a prediction or two before you begin reading a section. Revisit your predictions after you have read and confirm, reject, or refine them based on details from the book. Before I read, I predict…. After I read, I can confirm / reject / refine my prediction because …

Detective As the Detective, your mission is to be curious. This means you have to record your questions and thoughts as you read. While reading, listen for questions you would ask of the text. Who or what would you want to investigate in the book? What clues or answers did you encounter as you read? When I read… I wonder … Or I know …

Photographer As the Photographer, your job is to capture one of the scene in pictures. Don’t worry about your artistic abilities! What’s important is that your group members “see” pictures in their minds as they read the book. You will draw at least one scene (item, setting, character, or other element of the reading) and note at least two more. You may use magazine cut-outs, photographs, or other types of pictures for your drawing. Be sure to label your drawing with details from the book. During your Literature Circle meeting you will read these scenes aloud to your group and discuss which author’s words helped you form mental pictures. I can visualize on page ______ Details that help me “see” the words include _______

Tour Guide As the Tour Guide, your mission is to guide the conversation about the book. Keep readers on the tour. If the group talk gets away from the book, use questions to set it back on track. Write down five or more questions after you read the selection. Avoid yes or no answers by beginning your questions with Why…? What if …? How …? Which … would be best? Which scene was …?

Magician As the Magician, your job is to think outside the box. think about how this book could be different. What would you change? Who or what would you make disappear (or appear)? Why? How would your changes affect the story? When the book says … I would … Because …

Interpreter As the Interpreter, you must build understanding and create an interest in words. You will define any words students might not be familiar with. You will create a personal dictionary for the group using words found within the book. Words chosen can be: ● Unfamiliar●Different ● Baffling ● Unique ● Puzzling ● Popular ● Interesting ● Funny Write down at least 5 words you feel would be worth discussing with your group. Word page #____ Definition: ____ Reasons for Choosing: ______________ How does this word make you feel? What images does this word evoke?

Archaeologist As the Archaeologist, you will find connections between the novel your group is reading and the outside world. Your goal is to make text-to-self, text-to-text, or text-to-world connections that help you and your group better understand the story! Come up with one to three connections. Describe the scene, the connection, and the “so what?” of how they deepen your understanding. Original Scene … My Connection … So What? It helps me understand …

Journalist As a Journalist, it is your job to report the main events to the group. You can write up the main events in a short news article. Think in terms of who, what, when, where, and how, so that you can record all the important elements of the story. Who? What? Where? When? How?

Checker As the Checker, your job will be to check for the completion of the assignments conducted by each group member. It will be your responsibility during ‘talk time’ to help monitor the discussion for equal contribution from each person on the team. Along with the teacher, you will evaluate each team member’s level of participation during discussion sessions.

Wild Card Choose your own role! You may be the Forecaster, the Journalist, the Tour Guide, the Detective, the Archaeologist, the Interpreter, the Photographer, or the Magician. You decide which role you will play today!

Literature Circles Sit in circles Every member must read the assigned selection Work in groups Respect each other Take turns Listen when members are sharing Be courteous 15 minute talk sessions The only wrong behavior would be not participating!