How to Set up Literature Circles in the Classroom

Literature circles motivate students to dig into reading.

Literature circles are an excellent way to motivate students to discuss the books they are reading in class. Roles are assigned so that each person has to complete a task that is shared at the weekly meeting. A book pass can take place in which a student can choose which genre or title in which he is most interested. The teacher can then assign him to a group of students with like interests.

Things You'll Need

• 8-10 different book titles (5-6 copies of each title) Handouts for each role assigned

Instructions

1. Introduce the students to the titles they will reading in their literature circles. Either complete a book pass or do some type of survey to determine in which books individual students are interested.

2. Assign students to groups according to the genre or title indicated as the favorite. Give each of the students in a group a copy of the same book to read.

3. Explain to students that they will be reading their books independently during independent reading time, but that they will be meeting once each week to discuss their books.

4. Assign each student in each group a role. The roles can include summarizer, travel tracker, word wizard, discussion director, connector--anything that will encourage the student to think as he reads during the week. The summarizer will summarize the section read since the last meeting. The travel tracker will track the setting of the story since the last literature circle. The word wizard chooses several words that he finds interesting enough to share with the rest of the group. The discussion director leads the discussion, adding appropriately to the conversation. The connector makes connections with other books and the world.

5. Provide each student with a handout that thoroughly explains his role in the circle.

6. Devise a reading schedule and post it for all to see so that students know how many pages they should have read when they meet. Initially, you may want to require that the role handout be completed for part of the literature circle grade, but the goal is for the student to eventually know how to automatically perform the role without being prompted by a handout.

7. Observe each group in turn for the first few weeks. This will allow you to provide immediate instruction and feedback.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to assign a student to a book in which he is not interested. Try to arrange the groups so the students within each group are on a similar reading level.

Resources

• Setting Up Literature Circles