Student-Led Discussions
TASK DESCRIPTIONS
Grades 4-5
Vocabulary:
As you are reading, find words that are colorful and expressive. Look for words that are not your everyday “blah” words. Also look for words that are unfamiliar to you. List these words on your sheet. Include the page number where the word was found and its definition. (Yes, you might have to use a dictionary. Please make sure you choose the definition that fits.) You must include at least threewords on your discussion sheet.
Draw A Scene:
As you are reading, visualize what the author is writing about in your mind. On your sheet draw a picture from your reading selection. It may be your favorite part, character, or scene. Your picture could be something that interested you while you were reading. Before you explain your picture, let your group guess and discuss it first. Your drawing should be colorful.
Discussion Questions:
As you are reading, write down some good “fat” questions about the section of the book you are reading for your group to answer. The best questions are the ones that require more than a one word response. Try to create questions that come from your own thoughts and feelings toward the book. If you do not understand something or have any questions about the selection of the book you are reading, that would be a wonderful question to ask your group members. You must include at least two questions on your recording sheet. Use the Question Matrix to help you.
Interesting Passages:
As you are reading, zero in on special passages or important selections of the book. These passages are important because they may be funny, sad, dramatic, mysterious, or descriptive in some way Place Post-It notes on the pages you might want to bring to your group’s attention. Write down at least two important passages on your literature circle discussion sheet, along with the corresponding page numbers. Pick one of the passages that you think is the most important and discuss it with your group. Be sure to share the passage with your group members and explain why you thought it was interesting.
Character Traits:
Throughout books, characters grow and change. Identifying the character traits of the characters in your book will help you better understand the characters. As you are reading, write down traits for each main character. Include evidence from the story to support each character trait. Include page numbers where the evidence is found so your group can discuss them during the discussion.
Opinion:
What opinions do you have as you read? Do you agree with a character’s choices/decisions etc.? Do you agree or disagree with what is happening right now in the book?
Connections:
Connect with a passage in the text.
- Text to Self –How does the passage relate to your own life?
- Text to Text -How is this book similar to another book you
have read?
- Text to World- How does what is happening in the passage connect to something you know about?
WOW!
Write about something that surprised you as you read. Write the page and paragraph to share with your group.
I WONDER…
As you read, write a statement to explain what you are wondering as you read.