Valley Oaks Charter School Tehachapi TeacherWeb Literature Circle

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	Literature Circle
	Welcome to Literature Circle! Literature Circles are small reading groups that meet together to share ideas, thoughts, notes, projects, and food! This year we have 2 groups: 4^th-5^th Literature Circle and 6^th-8^th Literature Circle. 4^th – 5^th Literature Circle November Book Selection: Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Meeting Dates: Friday December 5th, 1:00-2:00 in Classroom A Reading Strategy: Character Analysis Assignment: Please bring a pencil and your Literature Circle notebook to each meeting (you will receive a notebook and book at our first meeting) As you read Because of Winn Dixie add to your character flipbook created in class, draw the character on the outside of the flap, and list at least 10 characteristics inside the flap. Create an 8 ½ X 11 poster that includes -Title “10 Things About Me” -Your poster should list 10 things. When creating your list think about the first thing people notice when they see you, how did you get your name or nickname, what is your favorite thing to do, what is something you don’t like, how would you describe your personality - Decorate your poster, add a border, drawing of yourself, make it colorful, and most of all be creative and have fun. - be ready to share your poster with the class Be ready to share your ideas on the following discussion questions with your small group. You do not have to write your ideas down. Just read them over and think about how you are going to respond in small group discussion. Discussion Questions 1. What made you laugh in the book? Why? 2. In what ways is Opal’s mother a very important character in the book even though she never appears? 3. Why is Gloria Dump so important to India Opal? 4. Who were some of your favorite characters in town? Describe them. 5. How does a Littmus Lozenge work? Would you want to try one? Why or why not? 6. What happens at the party to bring India Opal and her father together? What do you predict for their relationship in the future? 7. What do you think Opal and her dad, the preacher, get from having Winn-Dixie? Who or what in your life is like Winn- Dixie? 8. What does the title Because of Winn-Dixie mean to you? Author Study: Biography of the author by Candlewick.com Read a biography and an interview with Kate DiCamillo on kidsread.com 2008-09 Book List - Novel titles fromThe Battle of the Books 2008-09 4^th-6^th list Because of Winn Dixie My Side of the Mountain 3rd book to be announced The Ballad of Lucy Whipple VOCS has copy of this book for all Literature Circle students 6^th-8^th Literature Circle November Book Selection: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo Meeting Date: Friday December 5th, 2:00-3:30 in Classroom A Reading Strategy: Character Analysis Making connections Plot Assignment: Please bring a pencil and your Literature Circle notebook to each meeting: As you read The Tale of Despereaux add to your stepbook created in class, be creative, illustrate, make captions, there is no need to use complete sentences, proofread, and add color. Be ready to share your work in class with your small group. Stepbook Instructions: Cover – Title of book, author, your name, and illustration from a scene from the book Main Characters – List names of the main characters with an illustration of each and 5 character traits Connections – List connections as you read the book, between the story, your own life, the world and other stories. As you read the story ask: Is there something in this story that is like me? (Text-self) Are there people in the story who remind me of people I know? (Text-world) Is there something in this story that’s like another story I’ve read (text-text) Write down your connections. Plot – Complete Plot Diagram as you read the book. Click on the link below to review plot: http://alex.state.al.us/uploads/6991/Elements%20of%20a%20Plot%20Diagram%5D.ppt Be ready to share your ideas on the following discussion questions with your small group. You do not have to write your ideas down. Just read them over and think about how you are going to respond in small group discussion. Discussion Questions: Describe Despereaux and Roscuro. What is special about their names?What about them is different to other mice or rats? How is the “normal” mouse or rat supposed to behave? What happens at the part in the castle and what are the consequences? What significance does soup have in this book? The characters in the book all have special dreams that get them into trouble. What are their dreams? Who was your favorite character and why? Did you like how the four story lines are weaved together? Is this story a fairy tale? Is there a “Happily ever after” at the end?If so, how does it look like for the different characters? Miggery Sow and the princess have entirely different lives. How do they differ? What connects them nevertheless? “Love is powerful, wonderful and ridiculous.” Do you agree? How does it affect Desperaux’s life? Discuss the behavior of Despereaux’s family throughout the book. Despereaux decides to go back into the dungeon he had just escaped. Why? What gives him the strength to do so? What helps him find his way? “Stories are light.” Gregory the jailer tells Despereaux. What does this mean to you? Did you find some light in this story? Author Study: Biography of the author by Candlewick.com Read a biography and an interview with Kate DiCamillo on kidsread.com Proposed (not finalized) 2008-09 Book List: Tale of Despereaux True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Brian’s Winter The Land VOCS has copy of this book for all Literature Circle students Previous Literature Circle* Selections - 2004-08 Pictures of Hollis Woods The Wanderer Artemis Fowl A Series of Unfortunate Events Books 1, 2, & 3 A Week in the Woods The Tale of Despereaux *Frindle* *Because of Winn Dixie* *Holes* *The Bad Beginning* Charlie and the Chocolate Factory The Secret School Misty of Chincoteague Shiloh Honus and Me Granny Torrelli Makes Soup The Magician's Nephew The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Surviving the Applewhites Among the Hidden *Westing Game* *Bridge to Terabithia* *Hatchet* *Sign of the Beaver* Where the Red Fern Grows Phantom Tollbooth The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Swiss Family Robinson For questions contact Christy Rosander at crosander@sbcglobal.net


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Last Modified: Sunday November 30 2008

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