1. Literature Circles An explanation of literature circle roles and expectations in Mrs. Schwartzmiller’s class.

2. What are literature circles? A group of students who select a book to read based on their interest. Each student contributes to the group by completing a job. The group is student-led. The teacher is a participant and guide in the discussion. Literature circles are like book clubs where participants choose a novel, read it, and discuss it.

3. Literature Circle Expectations Each group member is responsible for reading the assignment and completing his/her job BEFORE your group meets. The group must assign themselves at least 30 pages to read before the next meeting. All literature circle completed jobs must be stapled to group cover sheet and placed in inbox by the end of the 40 minute session.

4. Five Basic Literature Circle Jobs Discussion Leader Illustrator Read Aloud Master Sequencer Word Webs

5. Literature Circle Essential Questions How can I participate in group discussions? How do I appropriately respond to the opinions of others? How can I be an effective listener?

6. Discussion Leader Essential Questions How does forming questions during reading help me to understand text? How does questioning during reading help me to connect new information to what I already know? Expectations Create 12 questions 3 questions need to use comprehension strategy of the week Questions relate to overall main idea, not nit-picky details

10. Illustrator Essential Question How does an author’s use of imagery help me to visualize what I’m reading? Expectations - Colorful - Picture should relate to something important in the book - Requires more effort than stick figures

12. Read Aloud Master Essential Questions How do we determine the author’s purpose for writing a selection? How does reading fluently help me comprehend text? Expectations - 6 passages selected and noted author’s purpose for including - Mark passages with sticky notes

14. Sequencer Essential Question How does sequencing events help me understand text? Expectations - 8 important events - Number events in the correct order on the back of the strips - Cut events into strips and present in mixed-up order

16. Word Webs Essential Questions How do I use context clues to understand meanings of words? How can we use synonyms and antonyms of words? How do I use a dictionary to find meanings of words? Expectations - Select 4 new or interesting words from the section read - Create 4 categories that are suitable to use with each word

19. When your group is finished Complete the cover sheet and staple completed sheets to make a group packet.

20. Resource Morris, B. & Perlenfein, D. (2003). Literature circles: The way to go and how to get there (Grades 4 – 8). Westminster, CA: Teacher Created Resources.