Literature Circle Guidelines and Contract
Literature circles are a great way to have in-depth discussions about books you have chosen to read. Though the “book talks” can be fun, engrossing, and pensive (thought-provoking), you are also held to a higher expectation. You cannot get behind in the reading for literature circles; doing so shows that you do not respect the time and efforts of the rest of the members of your group who came to class prepared. You also cannot read ahead, as you don’t want to ruin what comes next for others!
This literature circle will be divided up between “Reading Days” and “Discussion/Activity Days.” Reading Days are days where your group has the opportunity to read in class and/or complete the literature circle worksheets. “Discussion/Activity Days” are school days that provide you time to discuss, reflect, and question what you have read with your fellow students in a high-level environment, in addition to other novel-related activities. Discussion/Activity Days allow you the time to comment on the book, in light of your literature circle role (will be discussed later). Though I am not a part of your group, I will be monitoring and guiding discussion where needed.
Schedule
____Meet with your new group; decide reading schedule; submit reading schedule to Mr. Kasselberg; begin reading
____Reading Day #1
____Non Lit. Circle Day
____Discussion/Activity Day #1
____Reading Day #2
____Discussion/Activity Day #2
____Reading Day #3
____Discussion/Activity Day #3
____Non Lit. Circle Day
____Reading Day #4
____Discussion/Activity Day #4
____Reading Day #5
____Discussion/Activity Day #5
____Non Lit. Circle Day
____Reading Day #6
____Discussion/Activity Day #6
____Reading Day #7
____Discussion/Activity Day #7 / Wrap-up
Grading
“You only get out of it, what you put into it.”
You may have heard this quoted before. If not, it is a good creed to follow. You only benefit and reap the rewards from the time and effort you put into your work. For literature circles, you truly learn from the text when you engage in learning among your fellow classmates. When you are involved in a high-level talk and begin to question the text, you really get at the “meat” of a book, and maybe even raise a point that has yet to be considered.
To that end, I will be giving you a daily grade for every Discussion Day (includes the occasional worksheet you will submit). In addition, at the end of the literature circle unit, you will evaluate yourself and your group members. This evaluation will be another grade. Your ability to not get behind or ahead in the reading will also be a part of your grade.
Period #:______
Book:______
Group Members: ______
Reading Schedule:
____Reading Day #1. Read to page: ______
____Reading Day #2. Read to page: ______
____Reading Day #3. Read to page: ______
____ Reading Day #4. Read to page: ______
____Reading Day #5. Read to page: ______
____Reading Day #6. Read to page: ______
____Reading Day #7. Read to page: ______
(copy this down in your Agenda before giving it to Mr. Kasselberg!!)
I promise to keep to the schedule and read to where I should read so that I can contribute in a meaningful way to the discussion. Furthermore, I will be positive and respect the opinions of all other members in my group, and the class as a whole. My signature below shows that I agree to and will adhere to the schedule (all members sign and print name below)
Print Name / Signature1.
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