Literature Circles

Our Literature Circles are known as Bean Bag Discussions. Bean Bag discussions offer students a chance to talk about books they are reading. The books are chosen from a list similar in theme, topic, or genre. Bean Bag discussions are only moderated to stay on topic.

  • At the 1st meeting: Students assign themselves a role then begin reading their books. Notes are to be kept on post-it notes, which I will handout.
  • At the 2nd meeting and beyond: Students conduct discussions using the notes from their chosen roles for that day's meeting.

Discussions about a particular book can continue for as many meetings as the students feel they need. It is up to them to decide when it is time to select another round of books for the Bean Bag discussions.


What Are the Roles?

The War with Grandpa

by Robert Kimmel Smith

About This Book

When Grandpa Jack moves in with the family, he and Peter battle over the rights to Peter’s room. Peter gets a chance to tell his side of the story when his fifth-grade teacher gives the class a writing assignment.

Interest Level: 3-5
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.5
Lexile: 640L
Genre/Theme: Comedy and Humor
General Fiction

Topics:
Characters and Values
Culture and Diversity

Meet the Author You can even send him a letter. He loves to hear from his readers!
(more…)

Comment First » | Print This Post

Night of the Twisters

by Ivy Ruckman

About This Book

When a tornado watch is issued one Tuesday evening in June, twelve-year-old Dan Hatch and his best friend, Arthur, don’t think much of it. After all, tornado warnings are a way of life during the summer in Grand Island, Nebraska. But soon enough, the wind begins to howl, and the lights and telephone stop working. Then the emergency siren starts to wail. Dan, his baby brother, and Arthur have only seconds to get to the basement before the monstrous twister is on top of them. Little do they know that even if they do survive the storm, their ordeal will have only just begun. . . .

Tornadoes FAQ

Interest Level: 6-8
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.9
Lexile: 790L
Genre/Theme: General Fiction

Topics:
Character and Values
Culture and Diversity
Friends and Friendship

– Posted with Stuffr! –

4 Comments » | Print This Post

Bean Bag Discussion Meeting for week of 08/10/09

To get started, we will review what Bean Bag Discussions are and the Roles that you can play to make them fun. You will each pick a leveled reader from the selection. hint: You may want to read-aloud to the group what your book is about and why you chose that book.

Remember: Everyone must fulfill at least one Role.

– Posted with Stuffr! –

Comment First » | Print This Post

Note: This is the end of the usable page. The image(s) below are preloaded for performance only.