OVERVIEW The goal of literature circles is "to allow students to practice and develop the skills and strategies of good readers" (DaLie, 2001). You will meet with your group once per week for the next six weeks. Prior to each meeting, you will read up to the agreed-upon pages and prepare for the discussion according to the discussion roles/guidelines. Each time your group meets, you will be graded on your level of preparedness and participation. Coming unprepared to lit circle meetings will have a significantly negative effect on your 2nd quarter grade. In addition to weekly discussions, you will be given a final assessment that asks you to apply your knowledge of the novel and the literary concepts that you learn about along the way. The exam will be open-notes and open-book, which means the more effort you put into staying organized and taking notes, the better you will do! Finally, you will be asked to create a book project (individual) and present it to the class.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Students will understand the following literary elements and be able to identify and discuss them in the context of their novels (These will be assessed with a final, open-note, open-book test on your novel): Genre Main Characters (dynamic, static) Plot Diagram (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) Setting (time period, time span, places, physical location) Irony Symbols Connections to other books you’ve read this year Tone Mood Theme 2. Students will practice applying the thinking strategies of effective readers: Use sensory images/visualize Make connections Infer Ask questions Determine importance Synthesize Monitor meaning 3. Students will actively and productively participate in group discussions by demonstrating the following: Active listening Disagreeing constructively Asking clarifying questions Supporting opinions with evidence Building upon the ideas of others 4. Students will utilize various methods of note-taking, such as: Mind-mapping Double-entry Journals Annotating text