1. Literature Circles

2. Literature Circles are small groups of students who meet together to talk about books they have read.
Each member of the group has a job with certain responsibilities.
If the group is to work effectively, each person must do his job.
Participation and self-control are important ingredients in successful Literature Circles.

3. Discussion Director directs discussion
develop a list of questions
help people talk over the big ideas in the reading and share feelings
directs discussion
prepares higher-level thinking questions that lead to a large group discussion

4. Sample Questions What was going through your mind as
you read this piece?
What was the topic or theme?
Did anything surprise you?
How did you feel about
the characters?

5. Illustrator
draw anything about the piece you liked. You may also draw something as a response to the reading.
-Character
-Setting
-Problem
-Exciting Part
-Surprising Part
When your group meets, don’t say what your drawing is. Let them guess and talk about it. Then you can tell them about it.

6. Text Connector
connect the text to something in life or to another text.
Does this story remind you of anything?
How does the story connect to wider world ?

7. Summarizer write a brief summary of the story.
retell the key points in a shorter version.
Include the main ideas, but leave out small details.

8. Word Wizard Write down any words you don’t know.
write down words the author used that you think are especially interesting or vivid.
Use a dictionary to find word meanings.
talk to group members about the words you have chosen.

9. Literary Luminary
pick parts of the piece that you want to read aloud to your group.
Locate special sections or quotes in the text
Search for literary devices and make connections to the text
Analyze the text with the group’s participation

10. Literary Luminary You might choose a: - Good Part - Interesting Part
- Confusing Part - Funny Part
- Important Part - Surprising Part
- Scary Part - Good Description
-Good Writing Sample

11. PROCEDURES Before Meeting Complete required reading
Complete role/job sheets
Complete discussion questions by due dates.
Complete parts of final project

12. PROCEDURES During Meeting Discuss your role/job sheet
Talk about anything interesting, confusing, exciting, etc. (everyone MUST participate)
Share thoughts about discussion questions
Discuss/compare research

13. GROUP EVALUATION
At the end of each meeting, complete a group evaluation sheet.
Be honest so that you can improve the next meeting!

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