Literature Circle #1

BLK-RUDE-KVENVOLD
The Borrowers by Mary Norton
Objectives
Benchmark: 4.8.1.1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups,
and teacher led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others ideas and
expressing their own clearly.
a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on
that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under
discussion.
b. Follow agreed-upon riles for discussions and carry out assigned roles.
c. Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make
comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.
d. Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in the light
of the discussion.
e. Cooperate and problem solve as appropriate for productive group discussion.
Materials

Goals Written out on Whiteboard/Anchor chart

Anchor Chart: Discussion Guidelines
Recorder Role Sheet
Discussion Director Role Sheet
The Borrowers by Mary Norton
Lit Circle Meeting Rubric/Evaluation Sheet
Journal- Homework Page

Instruction
1. Gather students and find a quiet spot to sit (on the carpet next to the white board) and remind
them to bring a pencil, their name tag, and a clipboard if needed.
2. T:Good afternoon fourth grade friends. Today we are starting our first literature circle. The goals
for today are written on the board. Lets whisper read them together please.
Todays Goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Learn what the Discussion Director Role does.

Read until page 22 in The Borrowers.
Have our first discussion.
Learn what the Recorder Role does.

3. T: I see we have a large amount to cover in such a short time, so lets dig right in! At the
beginning of each lit circle that we hold you will get a sheet that gives you a job that you are in
charge of for the day. The first job that we are going to learn about is the Discussion Director
Role. The person that receives this job will get this paper. (Hand out blanks) It states: (read the
job description)
4. T:We are going to start by reading silently until you have read to the end of page 22. I will be the
discussion director so I will come up with some questions that I think of. While we are reading we
are going to be reading silently to ourselves. If there is something specific that you have a
questions on then use a post it note to remind yourself what it is and where it is in the book and
we can answer those questions during our discussion time. (If a student finished before hand,
give them the journal/homework to start working on.)
5. T: As todays Discussion Director I am first going to start by going over the guidelines (ask them
to whisper read with you.) Alright now that we know our guidelines I am going to start by asking
if anyone had any questions about the reading so far or if anyone put any post it notes on
sections they wondered about? .. (answer questions/concerns)
6. T:Okay friends we are going to wrap up our conversation because I noticed we have 8 minutes
left of lit circle time. To wrap up I want us to look back at our goals and ask ourselves if there is
anything we have not accomplished yet?
7. T:Yes, it seems we have not learned about the recorder role today! The person who receives the
recorder role will get a sheet that looks like this. That person will need to write their name and
fill out the top section. Then they will need to write in each member of our group and X if the
person has fulfilled these sections, and also write in what job they had for that day. (Then write
in each members name and do an example based off of today.)
8. T:Alright friends as we end our session I have one sheet of homework that I would like you to
complete by our next literature circle on Thursday. (Go over questions that are asked in the
Journal)
Evaluation
Evaluation will take place in two different forms, the first is the students Journal Homework
that they will turn in next circle time. The next form is a combination of the Recorder Sheet (since the
teacher is filling it out this time) and the Lit Circle Meeting Rubric/Evaluation form (that the teacher fills
out after the discussion has finished).

*Your job is to fill out this sheet at the end of discussion during literature circle. Please be honest in all of
your answers.
Recorder Name: _______________________________________________ Date: ___________________
Book Title:____________________________________________________________________________
Pages: ______________
Name

Is
Present

Has
book,
nametag,
and
pencil

Participated
in
Discussion

Followed
Discussion
Guidelines

Role Duty:
(Write Role)

Finished
Role
Duty

What are some things that your group discussed today?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
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What is one thing that your group did well on today?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What is one thing that your group could work harder on?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Discussion Director Name:_____________________________________________Date:______________

Book Title:____________________________________________________________________________
Pages:______________
*Your job is to create questions that can be used during literature circle discussion. While reading
todays section write down questions that can be used. Remember to use questions or topics that makes
someone think and that you cannot actually find the answer in the book. Like questions such as: What
if, Why did?...How would you feel?... Maybe you dont actually have a question, but is there are part in
the book that confused your or that you wonder about?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
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A question you can ask at the very end of your discussion time if there is enough time:
What do you predict next?

*Your job is to also keep the discussion on topic and make sure that all members are participating and
following the Discussion Guidelines. Make sure each member answers your questions or talk about the
section you would like to discuss.

*This journal is to be completed as homework and turned in at the beginning of the next literature circle
session on __________.
Name: ______________________________Book Title:_______________________________________
1. What was one thing from the book that I connect to and why? OR
What was one of the most interesting things from the reading and why?
______________________________________________________________________________
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2. What did I do well during our literature discussion?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What could I do better during our next literature circle session?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. What is one question that I have?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. List all of the characters from this reading that you remember:

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

*Everyone gets a chance to talk.

*Show evidence from the text.
*Listen when others are talking. (Being quiet, looking at
the person talking, not fidgeting, thinking about if you
agree or not and why)
*Discussion Director keeps everyone on task.
*Ask questions.
*Support your ideas.
*Relate the reading to your life.
*I wonder
*Predict what will happen next.