 Literature Circles are small reading groups. Each group has 5-6 students.  Each group gets a novel to read chosen by the homeroom teacher.  Groups are chosen based on CRCT scores from 3 rd grade ALONG with assessments administered at the beginning of the 4 th grade school year.  Students will meet on Mondays and discuss their novels on Fridays.

 Every week (during the group meeting on Friday), each group is given a reading assignment.  In preparation for each week’s Literature Circles meeting, students read their assigned pages/chapters and complete one of five Literature Circles jobs.  The key to success in Reading this year is time management. Do not wait until the night before to read and do the assignment!  Students will be given class time on Mondays to work in class.  What students do not finish must be completed on their time.

 See rubric.  Students CANNOT receive a passing grade if they did not read!  Just “completing” the assignment does not guarantee a good grade. They must show effort & UNDERSTANDING.

o If a student does not have their assignment completed by the group meeting on Friday their grade goes to a 50%. A lot of the learning occurs during the Friday meeting. When students cannot participate they cannot pass. After Monday, the grade will be a 0. o If a student is absent, they will not have a grade penalty if they hand in their assignment on the day they return. o Literature Circles make up a large portion of the reading grade. One zero WILL affect a student’s quarter grade.

 Discussion Leader › Writes high-level thinking questions to kick-start group discussion.  Word Finder › Finds, defines, and explains unfamiliar and/or interesting vocabulary words in the novel.  Connector › Connects the novel to every day life!

 Letter Writer › Writes letters to characters in the book OR from characters in the book.  Illustrator › Draws scenes from the book.

 Students must write a 5 sentence summary explaining main characters, setting and important events in the story. If they do not include major elements of the story, they will not receive full credit.  Teachers have read all books so they know if students have read.

 Students meet at their desks or on the floor. Lack of focus will result in the teacher choosing your spot.  Students bring their books and completed job assignments to the meeting.  Students talk about what they read, and they share, one at a time, their job sheets.  Everyone must participate at the meetings!