LITERATURE CIRCLES
IT’S TIME FOR OUR FIRST BOOK!
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Non-fiction text
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How people think
How people overcome obstacles
Why people feel entitled
How people make it (or don’t make it) in today’s
society
Goal:
Understand a different approach/thought process to
important issues
 Understand and involve yourself in the world around
you – enhance your global perspective
 Improve your argument skills and knowledge
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NON-FICTION BOOK CHOICES
Fast-food Nation
 The Tipping Point
 Outliers
 Blink
 Nickel and Dimed: On (not) Getting by in America
 Generation Me: Why Today’s Youth are More
Confident, Assertive, Entitled – and More
Miserable Than Ever
 The Glass Castle
 A World of Ideas, Ethics & Morality texts
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DIRECTIONS
 Make
a list of your “Top 3” books in order
of interest (#1 is the book you really
want).
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I will do my best to get you your #1 or #2
choice!
 Remember,
the last two books listed are
books we have available. The other books
may be available at the school and/or
public library (copies very limited), or you
will have to purchase it yourself.
SYNTHESIS ASSIGNMENT
BOOK ASSIGNMENTS ARE IN!
DIRECTIONS
 After
you are assigned your book, meet
with your group members.
 Once you see your weekly requirements,
you will decide upon pages to read each
week and roles to complete each week.
 Also, get each other’s contact information
in case you need it.
WEEKLY REQUIREMENTS
1.
2.
Read assigned pages by block day
Complete assigned literature circle role by block
day
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You will receive your role handouts Thursday, but
here’s a preview:
Author’s Philosophical Beliefs – Personal Perspective
 Representation of American Society – Social Commentary
 Source of American Problems – Who’s to Blame?
 Author’s Approach – Personal Style & Slant
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3.
4.
5.
Take reading test on block day
Participate in meaningful, analytical discussion
with group members on block day
Note: If you come to a literature circle unprepared,
you will work on your assignment in the pod and
forfeit discussion points.
END-OF-BOOK REQUIREMENTS
1.
2.
Group Précis
Individual written response
At-home writing assignment
2-3 page analysis of major social issue(s) in
the text
Details to follow
1.
2.
3.
1.
I am telling you this so you know to keep track of
what you’re reading – don’t forget everything from
your first section of reading once you read it as both
of the above assignments will encompass the whole
book.