8TH grade Embedded Assessment 4.1
HOLOCAUST Literature Circle Presentation
Assignment
Your assignment is to present a cohesive book club/literature circle discussion to the class.
In the presentation, your group will discuss how reading the book increased your
understanding of the Holocaust. The group will present:
1) a story plot chart explaining your novel from the Holocaust,
2) powerful passages and 3 questions about each,
3) talking points in support of the questions & passages, and
4) a conclusion about the IMPACT of your characters & the Holocaust story
A.Prepare:
1. A story plot chart will be prepared by your group to show you understand the
story, author’s purpose, ideas, theme, and tone of your Holocaust novel. You will
discuss how the book increased your understanding of the Holocaust in front of an
audience of your peers. The sections that need to be divided up in your group are:
PERSON: a) exposition (setting, main characters), & protagonist, a theme
b) antagonist, external conflict, internal conflict, a theme
c) main events of the rising action, a theme
d) climax, resolution, a theme
One person will take each of the above sections (a, b, c, or d). You will write
NOTECARDS to describe and elaborate each part of the STORY PLOT CHART.
Each person needs to show me their NOTECARDS before you start the group STORY
PLOT CHART. When your notecards are done, then you can create your poster size
story plot chart.
2. Select and copy two POWERFUL PASSAGES from your book on NOTECARDS . Each individual will select and present their own 2 passages, and the
group will work together to discuss and create talking points for each passage.
3. Each person will write 3 levels of questions for each POWERFUL PASSAGE –
on the back of each notecard.
4. Prepare talking points on separate NOTECARDS by detailing what you found
meaningful or significant about OTHER people’s passages in relation to the rest of
the book or your understanding and appreciation of the author’s tone and/or purpose
of the book.
Conclusion NOTECARD: How did your main characters make a difference when
encountering a challenge? Also: How did reading this book increase your
knowledge of the Holocaust?
B. SO …… SUMMARY OF YOUR NOTECARDS: (worth 45 points – 5 pts. each card)
3-4 notecards for YOUR sections of the story plot chart
2 notecards – POWERFUL PASSAGES on the front, 3 questions for each on the
back
3 talking points notecards – you take notes about each of the OTHER persons’
powerful passages
1 notecard for your CONCLUSION
9 – 10 NOTECARDS total
C. PRESENTATION OF YOUR BOOK: (worth 140 points)
Each member of the group will lead the discussion several times.
FIRST: present your STORY PLOT CHART to tell us about your Holocaust novel.
Begin w/ the exposition of the story and each person can use their notecards to
move through the story plot elements. Please tell the story in your own words and
do NOT be glued to your notecards. Each person will also discuss a THEME of the
story – something YOU learned from your novel. Demonstrate your speaking and
listening skills. Speak slowly and loudly.
SECOND: As a group, select powerful passages from the beginning, middle, and
end of the book to represent the entire story and to enhance the understanding for
the audience. Each person will read THEIR POWERFL PASSAGES to the class
and then ask their 3 questions about their powerful passage. The other
members of the group will use these questions as a “jumping off place” to discuss
the powerful passages. Practice reading your passage so that you can easily
read it aloud with expression and inflection in front of the class. Practice your book
club discussion. As a group, make sure you PLAN so that your ideas are coherent
and you discuss talking points that support your powerful passages.
CONCLUSION: Character Impact & Holocaust knowledge: Write notes to discuss
a) how 1 person made a difference when encountering a social/political/or
religious challenge, and b) how did reading this book increase your knowledge
of the Holocaust?
D. LISTENING TO OTHER GROUPS: (Discussion notes worth 40 pts)
While your group is not presenting, you will be expected to listen carefully to other
groups, take notes on their discussion, and evaluate each presentation.
You will hand in ALL YOUR NOTECARDS (9-10) and the Discussion Notetaking
Graphic Organizer (notes you take about other novels).