Literature Circles

 
Book prompts
Making personal Connections  (ELA ¾ -B5 , ELA ¾ -B6 , ELA ¾ -B7 ( ELA-5/8 B4)
 
1	What did the story remind you of?
2	Tell about at least one connection that you can make personally
        with the character of story. Do you have some shared interest,
        feeling, or experience? Are you alike or different from one of 
        the characters?
3	What kind of reader would like this book?
4	Is there any character in this story/book like you?
          How is this character like you?
5	Is there a character in this book who would make a good friend?
6	Compare at least two characters to yourself, your family,
        or your friends.
7	Compare a character in this book to a character in another book 
        or movie.  How are they alike? How are they different?

Identifying Important Elements  ( ELA 5/8 B7, ELA ¾ -B4, ELA ¾ -B9

8	What are one or two of the most important ideas from the story?
9	What was the author trying to tell you in this story?
10	What do you think was the most important or interesting part
         of this story? Tell why you think as you do.
11	Who do you think was the most important character? 
        Why was this character important?
12	As you get into your novel, you should get to know the main
        character. Describe the person physically, but also give
        examples of how he or she feels what he or she does.
13	Choose a character of the book who is important, but not the main
        character Describe this person, explain the relationship to the main
        character, and tell why he or she is important to the story.
14	What surprised you in the story? Why was that a surprise? What
        did you expect?
15	If you were going to make a movie out of the book what parts 
        would you show and who would play the parts?
16	Interview a character from the story as though you were a  news 
        reporter..

(Expressing Feelings about the story (ELA-5/8-B10)

17	How did the story make your feel? Tell what parts made you feel
        this way.
18	Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?
19	Would you read another book by this same author? Why or why not?
20	What was going through your mind as you read this story?
21	What was your favorite part of this story? Why is that your favorite?
22	What character did you like best or least? Why?
23	Did your feelings change as you read this story? How?


Noticing The Author’s Craft  (ELA-5/8 – A3, B6)

24	If the author of this book were in our classroom right now what
         would you say or ask that person.?
25	If you could change this book how would you change it?
26	Is anything in this book strange or weird? Why do you think
        the author put that in the story?
27	Did the author write this book in a special way? (for example, lots 
        of visual images, flashbacks, told in the first person) Do you 
        think that made the story better?
28	If you could add a character to the book who would it be and how
        would it help the main theme?
29       Student designed prompt. (Check with your teacher first.
30       Are there any technical features in the novel that you find
        interesting? Explain why you think so. (Greg's prompt)
31      What do you think the climax of the story is? Explain why you think
        so. (Felicia's prompt)

Note- If you invent a prompt that you wish to add to this list please check 
with your teacher.

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Grading Rubric
score	/ Descriptor
4/	The chosen prompt is thoroughly discussed with thoughtful insights 
described. Title, author, page numbers and date read are given.

3/	More than five complete sentences addressing the chosen  prompt are  
neatly and clearly written, showing evidence of student thinking. Title, page 
numbers and date read are given. 

2/	Five complete sentences that discuss the prompt are neatly and 
clearly written. Title and page numbers are given.

1/	Sentences are attempted, but are not complete and/or on topic,  or 
they are not  readable, or the prompt has been addressed once before while 
some prompts are still open.