Literature Circles
Begin Literature Circles with book talks so students can choose books they want to read. Teachers can then divide students into groups of 4 to 6 members to read their group's chosen book independently and then meet together using roles to support their discussion.
Literature Circle Journals save teachers time by pulling together predetermined roles appropriate for
a book. Learning A-Z also provides all the resources you need for literature circles with ANY book.
Read the
Why Use Literature Circles
The
Each Literature Circle Journal serves as a time saver for teachers and can be easily added to and subtracted from using the Student Resources Journal Pages for each role if students choose different roles to perform with that book.
Watch the How to Use Literature Circle Journals for Books video.
About the Teacher Resources
Overview
The Literature Circles Overview explains the protocols for Literature Circles in detail so that you can use Learning A-Z tools in successful Literature Circles.
Model Lessons
One set for a fiction book and one for a nonfiction book, a Model Lesson and its annotated examples of Role Descriptions, Bookmarks, and Journal Pages help you teach students how to perform new roles.
Watch the How to Get Started with Literature Circles video.
Assessments
Two different resources help you determine how well students are performing in literature circles. You use the
About the Student Resources
Student Planner
Watch the Literature Circle Resources for Your Students video.
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Role Tools
These resources become the cornerstone of literature circles. Role Descriptions can be used for whole class instruction on new roles or for re-teaching. Students use Bookmarks to jot notes as they read, and then they apply their thinking in writing using the Journal Pages. Journal Pages become their reference tools for when students participate in their group's discussion.
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Self-Evaluation
Susan K. Stewart, Ed.D.
Susan resides in Massillon, Ohio, where she recently retired after 30 years in public education. She has been a classroom teacher, principal, supervisor, and curriculum consultant. Currently, Susan is an Assistant Professor in Early Childhood Education at Ashland University. Susan continues to work as a consultant providing professional development focused on implementing a research-based comprehensive, balanced approach for literacy instruction in the classroom.
Action research in 4th through 8th grades using Learning A-Z books led to the development of the roles and protocols for successful implementation of literature circles. Teachers observed higher completion of assigned tasks, meaningful engagement in discussions, improved grades, and fewer discipline problems.
Why Literature Circles?
- Student Choice and Collaboration
- Independent Reading and Writing
- Engagement in Deep Discussion of Text
- Modeling and Support
Seeing the Evidence: Forensic Scientists at Work
Nonfiction | Lexile 1040L- Literature Circle Journal
The Story of Lewis and Clark Book 1: Up the Missouri River
Nonfiction | Lexile 1090L- Literature Circle Journal
The Story of Lewis and Clark Book 2: To the Pacific Ocean
Nonfiction | Lexile 1150L- Literature Circle Journal
Teacher Resources Tips
How to Get Started
How to use Learning A-Z tools in successful Literature CirclesModel Lessons
Use the Model Lessons and annotated examples of Role Descriptions, Bookmarks, and Journal Pages to teach students how to perform new roles.Nonfiction Book Models
Barack Obama
Biography (nonfiction), Lexile 890LBarack Obama is a biographical text about the forty-fourth president of the United States of America. Chronicling his life from birth until his historic election, the book educates readers on how Obama's life experiences shaped his decisions and career path.
Character/People Tracker
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Connector
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Discussion Leader
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Literary Reactor
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Predictor
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Questioner
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Researcher
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Skill Master: Cause and Effect
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Skill Master: Main Idea and Details
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Summarizer
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Travel Tracker
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Wordsmith
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Fiction Book Models
Marcus Loses Patches
Realistic (fiction), Lexile 560L
Marcus Loses Patches is about a little boy who loves playing video games. One day, he gets so wrapped up in his game that he forgets to feed his dog, Patches. When he finally gets around to feeding her, he realizes that he has forgotten to latch the gate and Patches has escaped.
Character/People Tracker
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Conflict Connector
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Connector
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Discussion Leader
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Predictor
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Questioner
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Skill Master: Sequence Events
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Summarizer
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Wordsmith
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Assessments
Facilitating Self-Evaluations
Help students monitor their own participation in groups.Observational Checklist
Assess group participation to plan re-teaching of skills or coaching.Student Resources Tips
Planner
Helps students stay organized and plan for each Literature Circle meeting.Role Tools
Use Role Descriptions, Bookmarks, and Journal Pages to help students perform their chosen roles for each reading selection.Roles for Every Book
Discussion Leader
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Predictor
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Questioner
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Skill Master Roles
Cause and Effect
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Compare and Contrast
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Main Idea and Details
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Sequence of Events
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Literary Roles
Character/People Tracker
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Conflict Connector
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Connector
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Illustrator
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Literary Reactor
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Researcher
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Summarizer
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Theme Tracker
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Travel Tracker
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
Wordsmith
- Projectable Bookmark
- Projectable Journal Page
- Projectable Role Description
For annotated examples of Role Descriptions, Bookmarks and Journal pages, please see Literature Circle Tools For Teachers.