Introduction to Introduction to Literature Literature

CirclesCircles

Mr. Coley’sMr. Coley’s

55thth Grade Class Grade Class

Tovashal Tovashal ElementaryElementary

What are Literature What are Literature Circles?Circles?• Literature Circles are small Literature Circles are small

reading groups. Each group reading groups. Each group consists of 4 or 5 students.consists of 4 or 5 students.

• Each group gets to choose its Each group gets to choose its own book to read.own book to read.

• Books can be chosen from the Books can be chosen from the white bookshelves in the front white bookshelves in the front and back of the classroom.and back of the classroom.

• There are currently There are currently 179179 different titles to choose from!different titles to choose from!

What are Literature What are Literature Circles?Circles?• Each group reads at its Each group reads at its

own pace.own pace.• Once a week (usually on Once a week (usually on

Fridays), groups get Fridays), groups get together to talk about together to talk about what they’re reading.what they’re reading.

How Literature Circles How Literature Circles WorkWork• Every week, each group Every week, each group

gives itself a reading gives itself a reading assignment.assignment.

• In preparation for each In preparation for each week’s Literature Circles week’s Literature Circles meeting, students read meeting, students read their assigned their assigned pages/chapters pages/chapters andand complete one of five complete one of five Literature Circles jobs.Literature Circles jobs.

Literature Circles JobsLiterature Circles Jobs

• Discussion DirectorDiscussion Director– Writes high-level questions Writes high-level questions

to be used for group to be used for group discussionsdiscussions

• Word FinderWord Finder– Locates and defines unknown Locates and defines unknown

and/or interesting vocabulary and/or interesting vocabulary words in the bookwords in the book

• ConnectorConnector– Takes events from the book Takes events from the book

and connects them to real-and connects them to real-life experienceslife experiences

Literature Circles JobsLiterature Circles Jobs

• CorrespondentCorrespondent– Writes letters to characters Writes letters to characters

in the bookin the book

• IllustratorIllustrator– Illustrates scenes from the Illustrates scenes from the

bookbook

Literature Circles Literature Circles MeetingsMeetings• Students find a spot in the Students find a spot in the

classroom to meet.classroom to meet.• They bring their books and They bring their books and

completed job sheets.completed job sheets.• Students talk about what Students talk about what

they read, and they share, they read, and they share, one at a time, their job one at a time, their job sheets.sheets.

• During meetings, it’s During meetings, it’s everyone’s job to………everyone’s job to………talk!talk!