Literature Circles Structure: The Big Picture

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	Seeing the Big Picture: What goes into literature circles structure?

The chart below gives you an overview of all of the pieces that make up literature circles structure. Three classrooms are represented: Vicki Yousoofian, 1st grade; Lori Scobie, 4th grade; and Janine King, middle school. Each of the components of literature circles is discussed in greater depth throughout this web site -- clicking on the links will take you to further information.

*Teacher/Grade Level*	*V. Yousoofian 1st*	*L. Scobie 4th*	*J. King 6th*
Choosing Books	Teacher gives book talk Students choose by ballot Teacher forms groups	Teacher gives book talk Students choose by ballot Teacher forms groups	Teacher gives book talk Students choose by ballot Teacher forms groups
Time Frame	1 week	3-4 weeks	4-6 weeks
Schedule	Teacher sets discussion schedule Students read one book/story a week One group meets at a time with teacher Groups meet once during the week	Teacher sets discussion schedule Groups meet one to two times weekly for discussion or other activity All groups meet at once Groups set # pages to be read, keep track on calendar	Teacher sets discussion schedule Two groups meet at once Groups meet once a week, set # pages to be read, calendar for reading, journals, discussion Groups keep track on bookmarks
Read & Prepare for Discussion	Read books w/ families or others over weekend or on Monday w/ school support; Mark pages with Post-it Notes	Read during class 2-3 days a week Mark pages w/ Post-its Note interesting words, questions for discussion on bookmarks Collect Golden Lines and respond in journals	Read during class 2-3 days a week Mark pages w/ Post-its Note questions/ comments for discussion on book- marks Respond in journal
Discussion	Teacher leads discussion Students share marked pages and comments	Teacher roams among groups; observes Teacher assigns "starter" who gathers books & journals and opens the discussion Students discuss marked pages, bookmarks, Golden Lines Whole class debriefs after discussion	Teacher sits near groups as observer Students manage own groups Students discuss marked pages, journal response, bookmark comments
Response Journals	Prompts/questions given early in year Students choose response later in year	Prompts/questions offered early in year Class brainstorms possible responses later in the year w/ guidance	Prompts/questions offered early in year Class brainstorms possible responses w/ guidance
Extension Projects	Teacher models one each week early in year Students choose project later in year	Teacher models & presents one project for each literature circle unit	Teacher models & presents limited choices early in year Students choose project later in year
Assessment	Anecdotal notes on discussion and response journals Rubric for extension projects	First time: No assessment Later: Anecdotal notes during discussion Rubric for discussion, response journals & extension projects	First time: Anecdotal notes during discussion Later: Rubric for discussion, response journals & extension projects

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Literature Circles Resource Center
© 2002 Katherine L. Schlick Noe
School of Education
Seattle University
900 Broadway
Seattle, WA 98122
kschlnoe@seattleu.edu