Literature Circles

Each year, during the last nine weeks, my students participate in Literature Circles.  This year I decided to call them "Book Clubs" because "Literature Circles/Literary Circles" just doesn't flow off my tongue as well.  This activity is very structured even though I act as a facilitator when the groups meet.  I'm sure you already know about Lit. Circles, so let me just explain how "Book Clubs" work in my classroom.

I divide my students into three groups and assign a book to each group.  In the past, I've divided students by ability (based on their fluency scores).  This year, I allowed the students to choose which book they wanted to read.  Some people ended up with their second choice, though, because I could only have so many students in each group.  The three books I chose this year were:

• Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
• From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg 

I always use Running Out of Time...and plan to continue using it.  It's that good.  For my "higher level" book, I rotate between Tuck Everlasting and The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare.  I've also used Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare for my "middle group." 

Each child receives a packet and I explain all the job assignments before we really begin (I usually explain parts of the packet a little each day, during the week before Book Clubs start). 

Here's my cover (Some of the sheets I found online; others I made myself.  I decided to take pictures instead of attaching the documents because Google always gives me trouble.  Just click the pictures to enlarge them.  Anyway, I found the cover sheet online somewhere):

The next page in the packet is my original grading sheet.  I check the students' jobs each day and assign a point value (0-10) based on their work.  I do give zeros if they show up to class with no assignment. 

A reading schedule is next.  I make up the schedule for each group.  They are not allowed to read ahead.

I also create the job schedule.  Groups may have 5 or 6 students.  I added the "Literary Luminary" job for this group:

This page is helpful in explaining how to behave when you meet with your group.  I found it online but I can't remember the source.

These are my expectations:

Tips on how to converse with your group:

More of my original tips/expectations:

I created each job sheet.  Yes, they are very detailed.  I wanted everything to be clear so my students had no question about what they were expected to do:

Sample homework page for the Discussion Director:

From another source:

My Summarizer sheet:

My Illustrator job sheet:

My Word Finder job sheet:

Each Friday, the students take a vocabulary test based on the words that the Word Finder comes up with (there is a different Word Finder each day).  I always check the words and definitions so that the students are studying the right information.  The test format is always different and my tests always require higher level thinking.  No matching words and definitions in my class!  They must be able to use the words in their own sentences, list synonyms/antonyms, etc.  Yes, this requires me to make three different tests (for the three different groups) each Thursday night, but that's just the challenging nature of Book Clubs.  I can't even use the same tests from year to year; the words are always different because the students choose the words. 

My Connector pages:

My Literary Luminary pages:

Finally, I typed up the order in which the students should present in their groups:

I told ya it was pretty structured!  Now, when the kids begin to discuss, I monitor the discussion but stay hands-off for the most part.  I will jump in and make a few comments or share a few connections I had to the story.  The discussion time usually last about 15-20 minutes and then I allow the students time to get started on their reading for the next day.  Some students are able to finish the reading and get a head start on their nightly assignment.  It is rare that a student completely finishes his work in class.   

To wrap up Book Clubs, I assign a final project.  In the past, I've assigned skits, but this year I assigned a PowerPoint presentation.  I know PowerPoint is a little outdated, but my students are focusing on that in computer lab, so that's what I'm having them work with.  Here's the rubric I created:

Finally, the students will give me feedback:

And that, my friends, is an overview of this year's Book Clubs.

National Day of Prayer

Each year, my students participate in the National Day of Prayer event at the capitol.  This year, we attended the prayer rally and even sang for the governor!  We also took part in the Bible reading marathon, which we do every year.  On the Sunday before the National Day of Prayer, the "Word Proclamation" begins--this is where people sign up to stand on the steps of the capitol and read aloud from the Bible continuously, from Genesis to Revelation.  People read day and night, around the clock.

I signed our 5th graders up to read for an hour and 15 minutes yesterday.  Each child took a turn at reading Scripture and we actually finished the book of Revelation.  Usually, a microphone is provided.  Due to inclement weather, it was taken down and the students had a tough time hearing the readers.  The kids were still on their best behavior and did a great job waiting for everyone to finish.

Once the reading was over, we had snack and headed inside the capitol.  We had to go through security before making our way to the 22nd floor where the prayer rally was held.  We all had our Bibles with us and one security guard said, "Oh, don't worry about scanning those Bibles.  You can bring them on through."  I passed through the metal detector and asked, "Sir, have you ever seen the movie, The Shawshank Redemption?  He replied, "That's my favorite movie!"  I said, "Well, then, you should know that you need to be checking those Bibles!"  ;)  I flashed a smile and he just chuckled.

We had a great field trip downtown and the students recognized the privilege they had of being able to read aloud from God's Word and pray in public. 

Here are a few more pics from our trip:

From the 22nd floor

View of FSU's campus



Two of my students being interviewed

 

 

Governor Scott and his wife

 

Mother's Day Project

Each year, I have my students create a TIME Magazine for their moms as a Mother's Day gift.  We announce the "Mother-of-the-Year" and inside each issue, the kids write articles about their family, what they appreciate about their mom, etc.  I love this project, but it needed some updating.  Here's a photo of the previous cover:

The students would glue a picture (or draw one!) of their mom on the front.

Here's a photo of the cover I'm using this year:

Now, instead of the TIME Magazine, we are working on Mom's Gazette.  I found this cover on Pinterest, but click HERE for the link to Martha Stewart's site. 

Here are pictures of the inside pages, as well as a direction sheet.  I'm sorry that the pictures are a little dark and fuzzy.  If you wish to print these, I've attached the documents below.  Be warned--sometimes Google Drive changes my font and distorts my documents.  If you know why and can offer a solution, I'd love to hear your suggestions! 

For "Cover Story" download, CLICK HERE

 

 For the "Interview" sheet, CLICK HERE

 

 For the "Family" page, CLICK HERE

 

 For the "Sports" section, CLICK HERE

 

 For the "Personal Interests" page, CLICK HERE

 

For the "Famous Sayings" section, CLICK HERE



For the directions, CLICK HERE

 

Once the pages are complete, I bind them with a binding machine and they are nice and sturdy.  What are your favorite Mother's Day craft ideas/projects?