Literature Circles
Book Title:_______________________
Author:_________________________
Goals:
With your group, decide how many pages you will read and
set due dates for completion.
Goal #1
Goal #2
Goal #3
Goal #4
Pages_____-_____
Pages_____-_____
Pages_____-_____
Pages_____-_____
Due: _________
Due: _________
Due: _________
Due: _________
Student Role:
Each student is responsible for reading the assigned pages and
completing their job before meeting with their literature circle each
week.
Discussion Preparations:
As you read, please keep in mind the following topics so that you
are ready to discuss with your literature circle members.
 Character analysis
 Development of the plot
 Problem and solution (conflict/resolution)
 Character’s influence on the development of the plot
 Climax
 Theme
 Personal feelings and thoughts about the book
Meeting Dates and Assignments
First Meeting-Date:__________
Members
Job
Communication Chief
Idea Connector
Judge
Text Detective
Character’s Pal
Inquirer
Second Meeting-Date:__________
Members
Job
Communication Chief
Idea Connector
Judge
Text Detective
Character’s Pal
Inquirer
Meeting Dates and Assignments cont.
Third Meeting-Date:__________
Members
Job
Communication Chief
Idea Connector
Judge
Text Detective
Character’s Pal
Inquirer
Fourth Meeting-Date:__________
Members
Job
Communication Chief
Idea Connector
Judge
Text Detective
Character’s Pal
Inquirer
Literature Circle-Order of Discussion
(1)
All group members will share their summaries of the reading.
Group members provide feedback.
(2)
All group members ask their questions and share the answers
after other group members have a chance to answer them.
(3)
Everyone shares their words from their word spy sheet.
Discuss any misconceptions or misunderstandings.
(4)
Text Detective-share the selection of text you chose. All
group members find the selection and read. Discuss Text
Detective’s handout.
(5)
Idea Connector- Read the information from your handout.
Group members will discuss any connections you helped them
(6)
make.
Judge-Share the information from your handout. As a group
discuss the information. Group members should share whether
or not they agree with your explanation of the conflict and
their personal reflection on the ethical issues.
(7)
(8)
Character’s Pal-Share the information from your handout.
Group members discuss.
Communication Chief-Ask each of your questions from your
handout and provide an opportunity for your group members to
(9)
answer. Share your thoughts on the answers to each question.
As a group, assign the next reading and job assignments. Write
(10)
the assignments in your folder.
If your group finishes early, begin reading the next section of
your book or choose an activity from the Literature Circle
Menu and complete.
(The)
Responsibility of completing all
assignments and showing up to my
literature circle meetings prepared with
materials is mine.
Engage in meaningful discussions that stay
on task.
Always listen to, and respect, differing
opinions and perspectives.
Decide to learn and have fun!
Summary
Write a summary of what you read this week.
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Write a level 3 question about what you read this week.
______________________________________
______________________________________
Answer the question.
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Did you enjoy what you read? Explain. Cite text
evidence to support your claims.
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________
Word Spy
Word
Pg. #
Sentence
Write your own sentence.
Definitions
Synonym/Antonym
*Circle the definition that is used in the book.
Word Spy
Communication Chief
Write three questions of each of the three levels (level 1-google;
level 2-noodle; level 3-doodle). Make sure you answer your own
questions and are ready to lead your group’s discussion.
Level 1:
(1)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
(2)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
(3)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Level 2
(1)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
(2)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
(3)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Level 3
(1)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
(2)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
(3)__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Idea Connector
Your job is to make connections between the text and yourself, text
and the world, text and other texts. Make sure you cite the text and
provide evidence and explanations to fully connect ideas and support
your work. Be prepared to discuss with your literature circle members.
Judge
By definition, a judge is someone who forms an opinion about
something after careful thought. Your task is to consider the conflict
(problem) in the story. Collect all the evidence you can (text
evidence) and form an opinion about the moral/ethical issues
(differences between right and wrong) surrounding the problem.
What is the ethical/moral dilemma in the story? How does it affect the
conflict (problem)? ______________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
How is this problem viewed from different perspectives? What causes the
differences in perspectives?________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
What are your thoughts and feelings on the issue? Why do you feel this
way? ________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Text Detective
You are to scour the text and find a section of text that you feel is
important to the plot of the story. Mark the text with a sticky note
so that you can read it to your literature circle when you meet.
Does the section of text:
*describe the characters and important attributes?
*show the interaction of characters?
*describe the setting or other important elements?
*show the conflict or how the problem is resolved?
*explain the climax (most important part) or the story?
Page #_______
First phrase:__________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Last phrase:___________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Why is this passage important?____________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Does your literature circle agree with the importance of the passage?
Explain.______________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Character’s Pal
What does the character say?
What does the character do?
What does the character say?
How does the character
interact with others?
Important information
about the character:
What does the character think?
What does the character say?
Character name:
What inferences can I draw
about the character?
The Inquirer
Your task is to become a reporter of a newspaper. Ask questions of
the text, the characters, the events, etc. After collecting your
documentation (text evidence) create a newspaper article that
reports your findings to your literature circle members. Remember to
include quotes, pictures, and other facts to support your reporting.