November 28, 2012

I am very excited to begin working in literature circles this week! The students have been looking forward to reading a new novel for second quarter and I was able to offer them a choice from 5 different novels that follow along our theme of "conflict" for this unit. Their choices included: Redwall by Brian Jacques, Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Bearstone by Will Hobbs, Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop, and Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinellli. After a preview of each of the books, students each gave me a list of 3 choices. From those lists, I created groups of students to work together based upon their interest in the novel and the skills I want them to focus on this quarter. We will work in our groups 2 to 3 times per week. Each time they read together, they will bring home an individualized assignment for their part of the day's reading. Each day will bring a new role in the group and a different focus for their assignment. Students will be grading individually for their work as well as receiving a group grade for their overall performance over the course of reading the novel. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call me at any time. "Job Sheets" are in the assignment section under Literature Circle Assignments in case anyone forgets to bring theirs home on any given night