Literature Circle #2

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.

Content Object:
The student will be able to engage discussion while following the discussion guidelines.
The student will be able to carry out the roles that have been introduced.
Materials

Goals Written out on Whiteboard/Anchor chart

Anchor Chart: Discussion Guidelines
Recorder Role Sheet
Discussion Director Role Sheet
Character Map
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. We are going to get started just as we did last time for
our literature circle. The goals for today are written on the board. Lets whisper read them
together please.
Todays Goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Character Map Role.

Read pages 23-44.
Discussion.
Recorder Role.

3. T: First we are going to go over as a group what the Character map role does. Here we have a
character map that is only part filled out. As a group we are going to fill in characters and a little
bit about them that we have already learned so far. So let us get started. Go over characters that
have already been introduced and make connections to other characters in the book (for
example: someones aunt or uncle, the maid, the cook, etc)
4. Alright now that we have filled out the character map let us move on to our reading to see if we
have any more characters introduced to us today. On Tuesday, we learned about the discussion
director job, today we have two friends who will share this role, so remember to write a note
about something you would like to talk about or a question you have for the group. Those who
are doing this role today are _____ and ______.
5. T:We are going to be reading silently until you have read to the end of page 44. (20 Minutes) (If a
student finished before hand, give them the journal/homework to start working on.)
6. T: Okay friends we are going to stop reading at that point and mark with a post it note where
you are in the reading. Before I ask the Discussion Directors to take over I want to remind
everyone to follow the guidelines. And whenever we are not reading you must be sitting up right
with criss-cross-applesauce and looking at the person speaking so everyone knows you are
listening. (15 minutes)
7. T:Okay friends we are going to wrap up our conversation because I noticed we have 10 minutes
left of lit circle time.
8. T:It seems we did not learned about the recorder role yesterday! 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.)
9. At the end of each circle time I will let us know that we have about 10 to 8 minutes left and this is
when everyone will need to work on their role sheets if they had not done so and also pick up
their Journal sheet that is due next lit circle period. So our discussion directors will need to make
sure you have written something on your sheets. _____ and _____ I would like you to work

together to fill in on the Character Map if we learned of new characters today. Then _____ I
would like you to answer the questions at the bottom of the Record Sheet.
10. 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

Sat up,
Listened,
Looked
at the
Speaker

Followed
Discussion
Guidelines

Role Duty:
(Write Role)

Finished Role
Duty

What are some things that your group discussed today?

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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. Why is Pod worried about being seen? Find clues or evidence in the text to support your
reasons. Write quotes and the page number down.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. List 5 words that you did not know the meaning of or understand?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. What would you do if you were a borrower and had been seen?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. List all of the characters that were introduced during the last reading section:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

*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.