Literature Circle Assignment-Each group has selected page numbers to be completed for Wednesday.
Date Given: December 1 Dates Due: Dec. 9 _________
Dec. 17 _________
Jan. 6 __________
Directions:
1. Each student has selected a book for participation in the literature circle.
2. Each group reading the same book will meet and determine the number pages to read for the due dates listed above. Students should write to what page they need to read beside each date.
3. Students are to read the pages determined by his/her group and complete their journals choosing questions from the attached page to answer. Each journal entry should average one page.
4. Students need to complete five journal entries for each time their literature circle meets. This will be a total of 15 entries by January 6. These entries are the only ones that will be collected this six weeks. Students do not need to write additional journals for independent reading for the third six weeks.
Options
Students have selected individual books from multiple choices provided in class.
Grading Criteria
1. Journals are worth 50 points total and will be collected following each literature circle discussion. They will be graded on whether they answer one of the attached questions specifically and thoughtfully. Spelling and grammar will not be scored on the journals. Their intention is to show reflection about what has been read.
2. Students will also score each other on their participation in the literature circle. This will include whether their classmates came prepared, talked seriously during the discussion, and were attentive to classmates.
Supplies/Resources
Students should have novels and journals in class each day and in the literature circle.
Literature Circle Journal Response Choices
Write an entry about any of the following topics in your journal. Remember, you have five journal entries due for each literature circle meeting. You may repeat questions if you have different answers based on wher you are in the book.
1. Describe your feelings about the characters. Use specific examples from the book to explain yourself.
2. Copy down an excerpt from the book and explain why you think it’s meaningful.
3. Describe your favorite part. Explain your response.
4. Tell how you would react if you were one of the characters in the story.
5. Describe a part of the book that surprised you and explain why.
6. Does the author use any strong imagery in the story (similes, metaphors, etc)? Give examples.
7. Do any of the characters change in the story? what causes them to change?
8. Would you like to read something else by this author? Why or why not?
9. How are you different from one of the characters? Explain.
10. How might the story be different if it had happened somewhere else or in a different time period?
11. Was there a character you didn’t like? Why?
12. What was the theme or the author’s message? What events helped you figure this out?
13. What’s the best part of the story (so far)?
14. Develop your own questions based on one of the following starts, and then answer it…
What if….?
How did…?
What caused…
How would you feel if you…?
Why do you think…?
Why did…?
What would happen if…?
What might…?
What character traits describe _________________?
Why is…?
