Discussion Roles

Setting: For this role your job is to locate 5 passages in the text that describe the important settings. Draw representations of these settings and include the page numbers from the text for the passages you have located. Please write a few sentences about each setting referencing its relevance to the book.

Think of ways you will engage your group in discussion of these settings. For example, you might have members of your group look at your representation, identify the setting, and find the passages where the text describes the setting. Have them read these and discuss how they imagine the setting.

Discussion Roles

Character Map: Your job is to pick an important character in the book and identify passages in the text where characteristics of this character are described. Make a character map of this character by drawing a picture and including the descriptive phrases or sentences about: a) what the character looks like, b) how the character acts, c) what conflicts or problems the character has, and d) goals or solutions for the character’s problems. On your map, make sure you include page numbers for text information that supports your characteristics.

Think of ways you will engage your group in discussion of your character and others. For example, you might have members of your group look at your representation, identify the character, and find the passages where the text describes the character. Have them discuss other characters and how they imagine a) what the character looks like, b) how the character acts, c) what conflicts or problems the character has, and d) goals or solutions for the character’s problems. Always ask them to find passages in the text to support what they say.

Discussion Roles

Plot: Your job is to graphically represent the plot of the text. You may do this by creating a timeline or a plot/story map, or some other method that you choose. Your plot map should include the conflict or problem and at least 5 of the most important events. Please write a few sentences about the main events referencing each event’s relevance to the book. Also, include page numbers that reference passages where the plot elements are described.

Think of ways you will engage your group in discussion of the plot. For example, you might have members of your group look at your representation and find the passages where the text describes the plot. Have them include more detail. Always ask them to find passages in the text to support what they say.

Discussion Role

Author’s Craft: Your job is to locate 5 passages in the text where author’s craft is evident. These passages can include imagery, personification, foreshadowing, metaphor/simile, idiom, and so on. Write the page number and mark the passage so you can go back to it. Make a figurative language card for each passage—draw a picture that represents a metaphor or simile from the text and explain what it means.

Think of ways you will engage your group in discussion or author’s craft. For example, you might have members read your passage and identify what kind of author’s craft is evident. Or have your group look at your representation of figurative language, identify the meaning, and find the passages in the text. Have them find and discuss other author’s craft elements. Always ask them to find passages in the text to support what they say.