Literature Circles

What is a Literature Circle?

A Literature Circle is a structure in which students take charge of effectively talking about

a book they are reading together. Each student assumes and carries out individual

responsibilities to add to the discussion. There are between 4-6 students in each

literature circle and the following jobs are rotated between the students for the duration

of the project.

Answer Seeker - It is this student’s responsibility to think up open-ended questions

to ask the group members based on the chapters that were assigned to them.

Artistic Creator - It is this student’s responsibility to re-create a scene from the

chapters that have been assigned to them using a medium of their choice. (ie:  paper,

canvas, clay, paint, pastels, mixed media, etc…)  

Character Finder - It is this student’s responsibility to reveal specific personality

traits of at characters within the chapters they’ve been assigned. They will find examples

of behaviors and actions that help group members to know the characters.

Passage Master - It is this student’s responsibility to choose 2 passages from the

chapters that have been assigned to them and lead a discussion related to the passages

based on why they chose them. 

Word Wizard - It is this student’s responsibility to find words and/or phrases that

are either unfamiliar to them or that they find interesting.   

Novel Connector – It is this student’s responsibility to make connections between

the novel and the real world.  This means connecting the reading to: his/her life, similar

events in school and/or community, other books or stories that are similar, public events

or issues of concern.

Why don't you suggest Literature Circles to your English teacher? You will find samples of worksheets below.

                                                                                  Answer Seeker

Name:  _______________________________

Chapter (s) __________   Pages: _____________

It is your responsibility to think up questions to ask your group members based on the

chapters that were assigned to you.   Make sure you do not ask questions that only

require a “yes” or “no” answer.  Make your group members think! You must:

a)   Think up 4 good questions to ask group members.

b) Write the questions.

c)   Write your answers to the questions.

At your next group meeting:

a)   Read question #1.

b)   Allow for a few answers.

c)   After you have received a few answers, read you answer – remember: sometimes

there is no right answer.  Sometimes you may just want to ask someone their opinion.

d)   Repeat a-c until finished.

                                                               Artistic Creator

Name:  _______________________________

Chapter (s) __________   Pages: _____________

It is your responsibility to visually re-create a scene from the chapters that have been assigned to you.  You must:

a)   Complete the scene – in colour - using the media of your choice (paper, canvas, clay,

paint, pastels, mixed media, etc…)

b)   Write an interesting description of the scene.

c)   Include your signature on your art piece.

At your next group meeting:

a)   Show your art to your group members - be sure to hide your

description.

b)   Have other members guess which scene you have created.

c)   Read your description after group members have guessed.

Contact me and I will send you a full PDF set of Literature Circle worksheets for free!