Inspired by Literature Circles

In planning for this class, I read a couple of articles about Literature Circles, and decided to incorporate some of those elements into my class, particularly assigned roles.

Literature Circles

Literature Circles for Reluctant High School Readers

I have 7 students in my class, so I came up with 7 roles, and each class they draw a number to determine what their role with be for the next class meeting.

1. Questioner
The Questioner's job is to come up with 5 discussion questions that explore important ideas from the assigned reading , and to the lead the next class discussion.

2.  Diction Detective
The Diction Detective studies the word choice (diction) of the assigned reading and chooses 3 passages or phrases that are especially descriptive, powerful, thought-provoking, funny, or even confusing. He must share why he chose them, why he thinks the author selected them, how they help the author achieve his or her purpose.

3. Illustrator
The Illustrator finds or creates an illustration related to the assigned reading. It can be a drawing, graphic, chart, or map. You can choose to illustrate a scene, character, idea. or symbol.

4. Storyteller
The job of the Storyteller is to choose an interesting or powerful passage from the assigned reading to recite in class.

5. Bridge Builder
The Bridge Builder looks for connections between events in the text and events in history, other literature, or current events.

6. Scripture Spotlight
Scripture Spotlight looks for connections between the text and a Bible story, passage or verse.

7. Summarizer
It is the Summarizer's job to write a summary paragraph for each chapter of the assigned reading, chronologically highlighting major events and ideas.


I make sure everyone gets a different role each week until they have gone through all seven roles once, and then it will be up to the luck of the draw.