LITERATURE CIRCLES REQUIREMENTS

Literature Circles – Planning/Organization Meeting

Novel: ______________________________________________

Members:
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
4. _____________________________
5. _____________________________
6. _____________________________
7. _____________________________
8. _____________________________


I . READING AGREEMENT:
Your book has _________ pages. Your group must decide how you will divide the book so that you have it finished by the date listed below. Group members should look at the book, the way it is set up, the number of days between meetings, and decide how much everyone should have read before the meetings listed below. Individual group members will know well in advance what they are expected to have read by each date, and they must plan to be ready before each meeting. Please come to literature circle with your role sheet responsibilities completed, and the required section of the book read completely. Your group is counting on you!

Meeting #1: Friday, March 1 Read pgs _____________________
Meeting #2: Tuesday, March 5 Read pgs. _____________________
Meeting #3: Friday, March 8 Read pgs. _____________________
Meeting #4: Wednesday, March 13 Members should have finished the book.


Note: In order to ensure your group’s success, please be an active participant in literature circles. Furthermore, those who come unprepared will be penalized.

First offense: Student will receive a failing grade.

Second offense: Student will no longer be allowed to participate in literature circle and will work on independent book report assignment.

II. REQUIRED WRITING ASSIGNMENT FOR EACH MEETING:

For each section of the novel, you will be required to complete a response journal to be used as a basis of discussion during literature circle and/or whole- class discussions. Each response journal is worth 15 points.

Response Journal Requirements:

-150-200 words
-typed or neatly handwritten in ink
-Summary of main events in this section
-Personal Reactions-Address two or more of the following and choose different ones for each response journal:

•  What questions do you have after reading this section?
•  What events or characters from the book can you connect to people or events in your own life?
•  What predictions do you have after reading this section?
•  Select an interesting quote from this section. Reflect on its importance or connect the quote to personal experience.
•  Comment on the writing style of the author.
•  Comment on the description of the characters and setting.
•  Identify any emerging themes and support.
•  Analyze a character’s personality based on the description of his/her actions.
•  Identify and define any new or unusual words that you learned.
•  Share your opinions on the events or actions of the characters in this section.
•  Illustrate your favorite scene in this section.