1. Introduction to Literature Circles

2. What are Literature Circles?
“In class book clubs"
Small discussion groups of students who are reading the same book
Each member has a job, which changes each meeting

3. Literature Circles Jobs
Summarizer
Illustrator
Connector
Questioner
Word Wizard

4. SUMMARIZER 1-2 minute statement
Cover key points, main highlights, and general idea
Should include a prediction

5. ILLUSTRATOR Visualize a picture in your mind as you read
Prepare a picture related to what you visualize —sketch, cartoon, diagram, flow-chart, or stick-figure scene
Conveys any idea or feeling you have from the text
Label things with words if that helps
Must include color
Accompanied by a caption or explanation

6. CONNECTOR Find connections between the book and…
Your own past experiences
Happenings at school or in the community
Stories in the news
Similar events at other times and places
Other people or problems that you are reminded of
Other writings on the same topic or by the same author

7. QUESTIONER Develop questions to discuss with group
Talk about the big ideas in the reading
Have the group share their reaction
Can come from your own thoughts, feelings, and concerns

8. WORD WIZARD Be on the lookout for words that… Have special meaning
Are puzzling or unfamiliar
Stand out
Are repeated a lot
Are used in an unusual way
Are crucial to the meaning of
the text

9. RRJ ENTRY EXPECTATIONS
Formal heading (name, date, room number, and role)
Approximately one page in length
Legible, neat, and organized
Includes all parts of the assigned role
Must be handed in on time

10. PROCEDURES Before Meeting: Complete required reading
Complete role/RRJ entry

11. PROCEDURES During Meeting: Discuss your role/RRJ entry
Talk about anything interesting, confusing, exciting, etc. (everyone MUST participate)
Share thoughts about discussion questions (if assigned)
Discuss/compare interpretation of reading
Begin next assigned reading & RRJ entry

12. LITERATURE CIRCLE MODEL
10-15 minutes - share RRJ entry with group members and have an open conversation about the book
5 minutes – assign new jobs for next class meeting
20 minutes-end of class – read
(If time permits) – begin RRJ entry
Unfinished work is homework

13. CONSEQUENCES
If absent, check website and complete reading assignment WITH entry
Incomplete work:
If entry is not done according to teacher expectation or incomplete, the student will need to complete the previous night’s reading AND entry during class. The student is still expected to complete the current day’s assignment.
After 3 incomplete/not fully completed assignments, student will receive a before or after-school detention.