What are Literature Circles?
A literature circle is a students' equivalent of an adult book club, but with greater structure, expectations and a set number of students (6) . The aim is to encourage thoughtful discussions about literature and through this, instill a shared love of reading in young people.
What is the purpose?
Literature circles provide a way for students to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read, discuss, and respond to books. Collaboration is at the heart of this approach. Students reshape and add onto their understanding as they construct meaning with other readers. Finally, literature circles guide students to deeper understanding of what they read through structured discussion and extended written and artistic response.
A literature circle is a students' equivalent of an adult book club, but with greater structure, expectations and a set number of students (6) . The aim is to encourage thoughtful discussions about literature and through this, instill a shared love of reading in young people.
What is the purpose?
Literature circles provide a way for students to engage in critical thinking and reflection as they read, discuss, and respond to books. Collaboration is at the heart of this approach. Students reshape and add onto their understanding as they construct meaning with other readers. Finally, literature circles guide students to deeper understanding of what they read through structured discussion and extended written and artistic response.
LITERATURE CIRCLE JOBS
DISCUSSION LEADER
Your job:
Write questions for your group to discuss. The questions should have to do with the
section of the book you're reading. Be sure your questions are interesting and openended
so everyone will be able to answer it in their own way.
Examples:
Were you surprised when ___? Why or why not?
Do you think the main character made a good choice when he/she ___?
Why do you think the main character decided to ___?
When you meet with your group:
You will read your questions to the group and give everyone a chance to answer.
After everyone has answered, share your own answers with the group.
Your job:
Write questions for your group to discuss. The questions should have to do with the
section of the book you're reading. Be sure your questions are interesting and openended
so everyone will be able to answer it in their own way.
Examples:
Were you surprised when ___? Why or why not?
Do you think the main character made a good choice when he/she ___?
Why do you think the main character decided to ___?
When you meet with your group:
You will read your questions to the group and give everyone a chance to answer.
After everyone has answered, share your own answers with the group.
WORD WIZARD
Your job:
Your job is to search for words in the chapter(s) of the book that you (or others in your
group) might not know. After you find challenging words, tell where they are used in the
story and find the definitions.
When you meet with your group:
First, share the challenging word you found. Show them where it is in the story. Then,
have each person try to predict the definition. After everyone has shared their
definitions, you can tell them the real meaning of the word.
Your job:
Your job is to search for words in the chapter(s) of the book that you (or others in your
group) might not know. After you find challenging words, tell where they are used in the
story and find the definitions.
When you meet with your group:
First, share the challenging word you found. Show them where it is in the story. Then,
have each person try to predict the definition. After everyone has shared their
definitions, you can tell them the real meaning of the word.
SUMMARIZER
Your job:
Write a summary that describes what happened in the chapter(s) of the book.
Be sure you write in complete sentences and include lots of details. Your writing
should fill most (or all) of the lines. If you need more space, continue on
the back.
When you meet with your group:
You will read the summary to the group. Ask them to tell you about other
important parts you may have missed. Have each person tell you about their
favorite part.
Your job:
Write a summary that describes what happened in the chapter(s) of the book.
Be sure you write in complete sentences and include lots of details. Your writing
should fill most (or all) of the lines. If you need more space, continue on
the back.
When you meet with your group:
You will read the summary to the group. Ask them to tell you about other
important parts you may have missed. Have each person tell you about their
favorite part.
STORY CONNECTOR
Your job:
Your job is to find parts from the chapter(s) of the the story that remind you of things that
happened in another story you've read. Then, describe how the two stories are alike.
When you meet with your group:
Describe the event from the story you're reading and tell how it connects to another story
you have read before. Describe the similarities to the group. Then, ask if anyone else
can make other story connections.
Your job:
Your job is to find parts from the chapter(s) of the the story that remind you of things that
happened in another story you've read. Then, describe how the two stories are alike.
When you meet with your group:
Describe the event from the story you're reading and tell how it connects to another story
you have read before. Describe the similarities to the group. Then, ask if anyone else
can make other story connections.
REAL-LIFE CONNECTOR
Your job:
Your job is to find parts from the chapter(s) that remind you of things that happened to you or
someone else in real life. When you describe the real-life connection, give as many
details as possible.
When you meet with your group:
Describe the section of the story that reminds you of real life. Then, tell how something
similar happened to you or someone you know. After that, you can ask everyone in your
group if anything similar has happened to them or someone they know.
Your job:
Your job is to find parts from the chapter(s) that remind you of things that happened to you or
someone else in real life. When you describe the real-life connection, give as many
details as possible.
When you meet with your group:
Describe the section of the story that reminds you of real life. Then, tell how something
similar happened to you or someone you know. After that, you can ask everyone in your
group if anything similar has happened to them or someone they know.
ILLUSTRATOR
Your job:
Draw a picture of one scene from the chapter(s) of the book you're reading. Your picture
should be colorful and have lots of details.You should also include 2 sentences that describe what you drew and why it`s important part of the chapter(s) you read..
When you meet with your group:
Have each member of the group describe what's happening in your picture.
Your job:
Draw a picture of one scene from the chapter(s) of the book you're reading. Your picture
should be colorful and have lots of details.You should also include 2 sentences that describe what you drew and why it`s important part of the chapter(s) you read..
When you meet with your group:
Have each member of the group describe what's happening in your picture.