This document outlines different roles for students in a literature circle discussion. It describes the Discussion Director role as leading discussion by asking prepared questions and keeping the group on task. The Summarizer role is to write a brief summary paragraph of the key points and include a prediction. The Passage Picker role is to select meaningful passages and record the page and reason for choosing each one. The Word Wizard role is to select challenging vocabulary words, find their definitions, and share the words and passages with the group. The Illustrator role is to draw and explain a scene from the text. The Connector role is to connect part of the text to another work or experience and explain the connection.

1. Literature Circle
Roles

2. Discussion Director
You are in charge of the group. Your job is to lead
discussion, keep the group on task and keep order. You need
to produce 4 or 5 FAT questions that will lead discussion in
any direction you choose and get your group thinking!
Question 1: ________________________________________
Question 2: ________________________________________
Question 3: ________________________________________
Question 4: ________________________________________
Question 5: ________________________________________
You may ask any group member to respond at any time. Remember it is your job to
keep the discussion going! Group’s overall performance (to be completed at the end of
the meeting):
(poor) 1 2 3 4 5 (outstanding)

3. Summarizer
Your job is to summarize the selection. A summary is a BRIEF paragraph
mentioning key points, NOT a retelling. Make sure you use your own words
and remember you are summarizing only a selection of the story- not the
whole book! At the end of your summary, include a prediction about what
you think will happen next.
__________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
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4. Passage Picker
We all know that certain passages “speak” to us, or are very meaningful. It is
your job to select passages from your reading that catch your attention. Make
sure to choose passages for various reasons, including:
• a great description Record the page and paragraph numbers
• wonderful word use where you found each passage below as
• a funny, exciting, or you will share the passages with your
scary part group. Be sure to include the reason you
• a passage that contains selected each passage. Passages can be as
information important short as a sentence or as long as a few
to the plot, problem or paragraphs- be sure to vary the length of
solution those you choose.
PAGE PARAGRAPH REASON FOR SELECTING
_______ ____________ _____________________________
_______ ____________ _____________________________

5. Word Wizard
An important part of literacy is word study. By studying the meaning and
developing an understanding about parts of words you can expand your
vocabulary. It is your job to select five words from the text. Record each
word below and include the page number where you found it. When you
finish your reading, use a dictionary to find the definitions of the words. Be
sure to pick challenging words! During your group meeting you will share
your words with the group and they will write down three of the five words
you shared on their vocabulary lists. Be prepared to read aloud the passages
where you found the words.
WORD PAGE DEFINITION
_____________ ________ _______________________________
_____________ ________ _______________________________
_____________ ________ _______________________________

6. Illustrator
One of the great things about literature is that it
leaves a lot to the imagination. As we read we often
develop mental images of characters and places.
You job as illustrator is to put those mental images
on paper.
You are to recreate a favorite event from the text
you read and share it with the group. Draw your
own mental picture of the event you choose on a
separate piece of paper. On the back of the
paper, write a sentence or two explaining the scene.
Make sure to be creative and make your illustration
colorful! Your group will have a chance to guess
what your picture represents before you explain.
Make sure to attach it to your Literature Circles
packet.

7. Connector
Often times something we read in a book reminds us of something
else, whether it is another story or a real life event. You job as connector is
to “connect” any part of your reading to another piece of literature or a past
experience of you or someone you know. List the page and paragraph
number(s) of the passage you are connecting (as you will share the passage
during the meeting). Then explain your connection below. Please include a
reason for selecting the passage you connected.
Page Paragraph(s) Connection
_____ ___________ ________________________
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