Literature circles involve students reading and discussing sections of a book in small groups. Each student is assigned a different role for each discussion, such as correspondent, word finder, connector, or discussion director. During discussions, students with roles present their contributions, such as interesting passages, unfamiliar words, connections to other topics, or prepared discussion questions. The groups use role assignments, prepared materials, and discussion guides to structure their conversations about the book. After each meeting, students reflect on their participation and the group's discussion.

1. Literature
Circles

2. What are Literature Circles?
Groups of students gather together once a week to
discuss a section of a book they are reading.

3. How do I prepare for literature circles?
Each student in the group has a different job to
complete each week.

4. What are literature circle roles?

5. Correspondent
Points out interesting or important passages
within the reading.

6. Word Finder
Discusses words in the text that are
unusual, interesting, or difficult to
understand

7. Connector
Finds connections between the book and
something outside the text.

8. Illustrator
Uses some form of artwork to represent a
significant scene or idea from the reading.

9. Discussion Director
Creates questions for the group
and leads the discussion.

10. What happens during
Literature Circles?
The Discussion Director leads the
discussion using the “discussion guide”.

11. What does a literature
circle sound like?

12. Correspondent Goes First
• Ask the Correspondent to read his/her letter
which summarizes the story.
– Discuss the summary.
– Allow other group members to add detail that they
may have forgotten.
• Ask the Correspondent to read two sections
of the text they felt were the most interesting
and explain why they chose the sections to
share.

13. Word Finder
– Ask the Word Finder to share each of the
words they chose one at a time and the
sentence or paragraph where the word
came.
– Ask the group to make educated guesses
about the meaning of the word or comment
about the word.
– As a group, decided which words are the
two most important and interesting to write
on your discussion sheet.

14. Connector
• Ask the Connector to read the connection they
made:
– Explain what kind of connection it was (T-T, T-S, or
(T-W)
– Read the passage of the book where the connection
was made.
• Allow each member of the group to comment
and also tell their own connections they made to
the book.

15. Illustrator
• Ask the Illustrator to show the picture they
drew:
– Without commenting on it, let the group
individually guess what the picture means.
• After everyone has a turn to guess, allow
the Illustrator to tell the group what the
picture means, where it came from, and
what it represents.

16. Discussion Director
• Ask the group the questions you created.
• Allow each person in your group to
participate in the discussion and answer
the questions.
• After you have discussed your questions
and answers, allow other team members
to present and discuss their questions.

17. Wrap It Up
• Ask students to make predictions about
what will happen next.
• Fill out “Literature Circle Planning Sheet”
– For the first round or two Mrs. Stroh will set
the jobs and dates. Once the groups are
independent, the members will set the roles
and dates.

18. Ways to Have a Good Discussion
• Be prepared
• Sit so everyone can see one another.
• Get started right away.
• Look directly at the person who is talking.
• Listen to understand.
• Ask questions to understand better.
• Speak clearly but not too loudly.
• Wait for the speaker to finish.
• Be sure everyone gets a turn
• Respect on another’s ideas.
• Stay on topic.
• Give examples from the text to support your thinking.

19. Self Reflection: Taking Part in a Group
• Did I understand what my role was in the group?
• Did I complete my task to the best of my ability?
• Did I have my turn speaking?
• Did I let others have a turn at speaking?
• Did I listen while others were speaking?
• Did I offer to help when it was needed?
• Did I enjoy taking part in the group work?
• Did I enjoy working with others in my group
What were three things that you enjoyed about your role in the
group?
What is something that you want to do differently next time?

20. ANY CLUNKS?!?!

21. Reading Workshop
• Today you will practice your roles in your literature circles groups.
• Please bring:
– Novel
– Pencil
– Completed Role Sheet
– Clipboard
– Discussion Guide
– Literature Circle Planning Sheet
• After you are finished:
– Please fill out a “Literature Circles Discussion Rubric”
– Hand in your “Literature Circles Discussion Rubric” and “Literature Circle
Planning Sheet”.
HAVE FUN!!