1. Literature Circles

2. Essential Question
How can the use of literature circles increase student enjoyment and understanding when they read a novel?

3. Literature Circles Literature circles bring together two ideas:
Independent reading
Cooperative learning

4. What are Literature Circles?
Literature Circles are small, temporary discussion groups of students who are reading the same piece of literature.

5. What are Literature Circles?
Literature circles give students an opportunity to work independently (reading and activities) and cooperatively (discussion groups)

6. What do students do in literature circles?
Read independently or with their group
Participate in group discussions
Each group member will have a specific responsibility (role) during discussion sessions
The circles will meet daily and focus on one discussion role at each meeting until you have practiced each role

7. How do Literature Circles Work?
Students all read the same text (in groups)
You will read a novel
Students are involved in creating questions based on the reading, having natural conversations about the text and taking notes
Students use written or drawn notes to guide their reading and discussion
Teacher is a facilitator, not a group member or instructor
Evaluation is by teacher observation and student self-evaluation or reflection

8. Qualities of a Literature Circle
Active Listener
 Looks at the speaker
 Gives the speaker full attention
 Doesn’t talk while the speaker is talking
 Doesn’t do anything distracting
Supportive
 Positive
 Never criticizes
 Disagrees politely
Participates
 Takes part in discussions willingly
 Demonstrates “thinking” during discussions
 Does not “tune out” after presenting job

9. Qualities of a Literature Circle
Cooperative
 Follows directions of group leader
 Flexible, willing to move chair, etc.
Prepared
 Work is done on time
 Work is complete
Personal Best
 Work reflects best effort

10. Role of the Teacher
The teacher models each role of the literature group.
The teacher helps students to participate in conversations
The teacher helps move the conversation forward

11. Discussion Roles: Vocabulary Enricher Connector Summarizer
Discussion Director

12. Vocabulary Enricher:
On the lookout for words in the text that are unusual, interesting, or difficult to understand
Defines and discusses these words with the group

13. Connector:
finds connections between the reading material and the outside world – personal experience, school, community, a topic studied in another class or a book you have read

14. Summarizer:
Prepares a brief summary of “today’s reading” which conveys the main highlights or the key points in the pages read.

15. Discussion Director: Directs the discussion
Helps people talk over the big ideas in the reading and share their reactions (could be thoughts, feelings and concerns)
Writes questions that will lead to discussion by the group (Questions must be higher level thinking questions!)

16. What are higher level thinking questions?
Questions that cannot be answered with just yes or no
Requires thought by each member of the group
Use the Literature Circle question stems or the Task Cards to help you

17. Good Discussion Starters
What would you have done differently than the main character?
What did you think about…
What does the word ____mean?
How are you like or unlike the main character?
How did you feel about . . .

18. What should students do in the discussion groups?
STUDENTS SHOULD:
Actively participate
Ask group members questions, and answer questions from each group member
Engage in great conversations about the book they are reading
Ask for clarification on any material that may have been confusing

19. How will class time be used?
Each day you will have about 45 minutes to meet with your group to read assigned pages of the novel and then engage in great conversations about what you read
You will receive reading assignments each day that each group must complete.
You can read the text individually or as a group using cloze reading, finish the sentence or choral reading
Completing specific assignments at the end of each day

20. OUTCOMES By participating in Literature Circles, students will:
Read an interesting book with their group
Brainstorm with their group to identify questions
they will answer while reading
Students will have engaging conversations about what they read to share thoughts, ideas and feelings about what they read
Groups will have opportunity to share their thoughts about the book with the whole class

21. To achieve these outcomes, the students will:
Read a book
Play a role in discussions of the book
Keep a response journal as you read the book to jot down ideas to share
Present as a group, a five minute response to the book

22. How will students be graded?
Students will be graded on:
Having your job completed each day and being ready for discussion group
Teacher evaluates by observation during discussion
Final project/presentation when book is finished
Students evaluate their own progress at the end of the literature circle each day

23. It is important for students to:
Participate!!
Keep up with their reading assignments
Keep up with their role in the group
Respect others and their opinions
Treat group members in a positive way—the way they want to be treated

24. Questions

25. Revisiting Essential Question
How can the use of literature circles increase student enjoyment and understanding when they read a novel?