Lit Circle Overview
In our study of Realism, Naturalism, and Regionalism, students will choose a historical topic of
interest pertaining to this time period. Students will then locate literary texts that relate to their
topic of interest and form a Lit Circle group of individuals who are also interested in learning
about that topic. Each person needs to prepare three observations and three questions before the
Lit Circle Discussion, but will only have to bring up one question and one response to another
group member. Students should practice incorporating textual evidence in their Lit Circle
Discussions.
Lit Circle Groups will assign roles to group members, plan their reading selection, and create
their group norms. The Lit Circle schedule will be as follows:
Day 1: Text #1 Reading Day
Day 2: Text #1 Discussion
Day 3: Text #2 Reading Day
Day 4: Text #2 Discussion
Day 5: Research/Prep Day
Day 6: Socratic Seminar Day
Roles (Roles will switch to extra students in the group on the second Lit Circle Discussion)
● Scribe- Records all discussion points
● Discussion Leader/Moderator- Makes sure that only one person is speaking at a time;
selects students to speak or facilitates discussion (also participates in discussion)
● Recorder- Captures a video recording to submit to Mrs. Moore after the end of the Lit
Circle meeting.
● Timekeeper- Keeps track of the time and keeps the group on track
● Reader Leader- Instructs group members who is reading next
Types of Questions to Ask
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WORLD CONNECTION QUESTION (text to world): Write a question
connecting one of the texts to the real world.
TEXT TO TEXT CONNECTION QUESTION: Write a question connecting
one of the texts to another text the class has read.
OPEN-ENDED QUESTION: Write an insightful question about a text that
will require proof and group discussion and to discover or explore the
answer to the question.
THEME/MOTIF: Write a question dealing with a theme or motif of the text
that will encourage group discussion about the universality of the text.
Group Partner’s Name: ______________________________________________ Total Score: ____________________
Outstanding (4)
Approaching (3)
Beginning (2)
Insufficient (0)
Discussion
Participates
enthusiastically in
group discussions.
Offers insightful and
thoughtful opinions and
makes a pertinent
connection to the text.
Asks pertinent,
thoughtful questions
that extend beyond the
text.
Participates
competently in
group discussions.
Offers some
insightful opinions and
makes
a connection to the text.
Will occasionally ask
thoughtful
questions
Participates reluctantly
in group
discussions. Offers few
opinions
and makes limited
connections to the text.
Asks few questions.
Does not participate in
group discussions.
Offers few opinions
and makes no personal
connections to the text.
Doesn't
ask questions.
Role Fulfillment
Completes role tasks
independently and on
time. Tasks are
thoughtfully done
demonstrating
extension of the
activity.
Completes role tasks
independently and on
time. Tasks are
thoughtfully done with
genuine effort.
Sometimes completes
role tasks
properly but not always
on time.
Tasks are done with
minimal effort.
Rarely completes role
tasks properly and not
always on time.
Tasks are done with
little or no genuine
effort.
Reading
Has assigned reading
completed on schedule.
Almost always has
assigned reading
completed on schedule.
Sometimes has
assigned reading
completed on schedule.
Rarely completes
assigned reading on
schedule.
Following Directions
Follows the discussion
director's
steps consistently.
Follows direction and is
only off-task
occasionally
Sometimes follows the
director's steps but is
off-task some of the
time.
Off task the majority of
the time and disruptive
to the group.
Listening
Has difficulty paying
attention to the speaker.
Listens occasionally but
doesn't interact with the
information
Listens carefully for
information and
comments occasionally.
Listens to other people's
ideas.
"Piggy-backs" or builds
off
others' ideas.
Persuading
Is always prepared to
exchange,
defend and rethink
ideas.
Will usually exchange,
defend
and rethink ideas
Will, on occasion,
exchange,
defend and rethink
ideas.
Will rarely exchange,
defend, or
rethink ideas.
Respecting
Respects the opinions
of others.
Encourages and
supports the
ideas and efforts of
others in a
cooperative manner.
Usually respects the
opinions of others and
demonstrates a
willingness to participate
cooperatively
Interrupts when others
are contributing in an
attempt to share his/her
ideas.
Usually chooses to
argue or ignore the
group in an
uncooperative manner.
Sharing
Offers ideas and reports
findings
enthusiastically.
Will offer ideas when
asked.
Will share only
occasionally or
only with selected group
members.
Usually refuses to
contribute to the group.
Literature Circle- Group Self-Assessment Form
Text: ________________________________________________________Names: ______________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________
YES
Everyone participates
and shares in
the discussion
process.
Communication
between group
members are
interactive.
The group is
supportive of its
individual members.
The group
promotes friendliness,
inclusion, and
mutual respect.
The group discussion
stays focused
and on topic. It
discusses issues
directly related to the
subject at
hand.
The group is
energetic,
enthusiastic,
and positive.
The group members
take ownership
of their individual
roles and come to
the discussion
properly prepared.
NO
SOMETIMES
Explanation/Evidence
What is something that went well in the Lit Circle discussion?
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What is something that did not go well?
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How would your rate yourself on the Lit Circle Discussion based on the rubric you edited your peer with?
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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS/CONCERNS:
Your Recorded Comments and Questions
Question/Comment #1:
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Question/Comment #1:
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