Literature Circles Mrs. Ince’s Class

Establish Objective I will be able to identify specific evidence from the text and explain how it supports my ideas. EQ How can I use text evidence to explain and support my ideas?

What do good readers do? Question themselves as they read Identify, understand and remember key vocabulary Recognize how text is organized and use that organization as a tool for learning Judge their own understanding Evaluate others’ ideas and perspectives

Literature Circles Literature circles are where small groups of students meet together to talk about a book they have read Each member has a job with responsibilities To work effectively each person must do their job Weekly meetings are held to discuss roles

Jobs Question Conductor Character Commander Connector Summarizer Researcher Author Applauder

Question Conductor Develops a list of questions that the group will want to discuss about the novel Don’t worry about the details, discuss the big ideas or recurring theme Questions that start with how and why are good. Stay away from questions with yes or no answers, or questions with only one right answer.. Be sure questions are interesting and open ended so everyone will be able to answer in their way.

When you meet… You will read your questions 1 by 1 to the group Give everyone a chance to answer When everyone has answered share your answer with the group

Summarizer Write a summary that briefly describes what happened in a section of the book. Use the Summary Sundae to organize your thoughts Be sure to cover just the main events. The other members of your group are relying on you to help them keep the important parts straight. Use your job as a writer and editor when completing the summary. Make sure you use proper conventions.

When you meet… You will read your summary to the group. Discuss the main idea (topic + point) Ask them to come up with details that support the main idea. Is there a theme?

Character Commander Your job is to describe the how the author develops characters in 3 passages. Use thoughts, actions, dialogue, to describe the characters personality. What you think the author is saying about them? You must cite evidence from the passage.

When you meet… Tell your group the page # Read the passage and share your findings. Group members may agree or disagree but must cite text evidence to support their opinion Do this for each of your three passages.

Researcher Enrich your groups experience by doing research related to your chapters. When your group meets tell them your findings. Choose to research a topic that is new to the group.

Author Applauder Share passages with your group where you think the author did a good job of drawing you into the text. Tell about what the author did. Things like: Vivid vocabulary Sensory Dialogue suspense

When you meet… Share your 3 passages. Be sure to give your group the page # so they can read along. Explain your reasoning – why did you pick this passage. Do the group agree with you? Have a group discussion using text evidence.

Connector Write about your own experiences that are familiar to what you read. Make a connection with your life, to events in the real-world or another book you read. Pick 3 passages Try to find a variety of text-to-self/text-to- world or text-to-text.

Remember Do your job with excellence Do your part to enable your group to have a meaningful conversation about the book Stay on topic while you talk Share your ideas and enjoy the conversation

Important Participate Keep up with the reading/roles Respect others and their opinions If you do not bring your book to class you score a zero for the assignment.

Self and Group Evaluation Use Rubric to evaluate your self and your group

What will the LC look like? Every Friday All sit together Knee to Knee Group discussions (30- 45mins) Each job takes a turn ME evaluation Follow the group norms

Group Discussions What do you discuss in your group? Explain your role to the group Ask and answer questions Ask for clarification on any material that may have been confusing to you