Literature Circles

September 2019

Dear Parents:

Starting after NWEA testing I will start Literature Groups. This will require a little more work, but will challenge and introduce your child to the different genres and authors in reading.

My Literature Groups consist of seven (7) roles, and these roles will rotate between the students each week. The students will take responsibility in determining who will fill each role and what the reading assignment for the following week will be. The children are allowed to take their books and assignments home BUT must be prepared for each week’s meeting. Here are the titles and expectations for each role:


  • Discussion Director – Runs the group by asking questions about something that interested them in the book.
  • Vocabulary Enricher (FCAT) – Finds words that are hard for them or that may be hard for others in the group and makes them simpler for the group. Writes the words and their meanings to share with the group.
  • Literary Mood Ring – Pick out, or directly quote from the chapters you read a line or two which provoked a specific emotion (refer to the list of suggested emotions). The feeling could be something provoked by what a character did or said or maybe even provoke an emotion by what or how the author decided to write.
  • Character Captain - Shares observations about the main character(s). Select three adjectives that describe one or more of the characters in your novel, and support your selection with an example taken from your reading assignment.
  • Summarizer – Writes a short summary of the book. Remember to include: who, what, where, when, why, and how.
  • Connector – Connects what they are reading to something in the outside world. Make connections to your own life, what happens at school, and community. You can even make connections to other books that you have read, magazines, or even pictures you have seen.
  • Illustrator – Draws a picture of what they thought of (or pictured in their minds) as they read the book.


Your child will be introduced to their Literature Circle Group, and each role will be discussed and questions answered. These groups were constructed based on your child’s lexile range from their Reading NWEA test. Some books may be at the top of their range while others towards the bottom in an effort to accommodate all the students in the group. Roles and assignments have been determined by the students, and all work required for their Literature Circle Group must be completed before the following Thursday’s meeting. Please visit the Literature Circle Groups link on my web page on a weekly basis to keep up to date on what book and chapters your child is required to read.


Please read, sign, and return this letter to school so that books can be assigned for Literature Group.

  1. My child and I have read the above information about Literature Groups and understand that there will be an assignment due every Thursday.
  2. We also acknowledge that every week I must be prepared to meet with my Literature Circle Group and discuss my role.
  3. These assignments are part of my reading grade and work that is not completed will affect my final grade.
  4. I am also aware that all Literature Circle Group assignments will be posted on the web for us to review.
  5. In addition, I acknowledge that if I misplace my numbered Literature Circle Group book that I will be responsible for replacing it.

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Parent Signature and Date:

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Student Signature and Date:

If you should have any questions, or would like to come in and view the Literature Group books, please let me know. Thank you for your time and cooperation.


Mrs. Cloutier


Literature Group #1:

Book:

Author:

Assignment:

Due:

Literature Group #2:

Book:

Author:

Assignment:

Due:


Literature Group #3:

Book:

Author:

Assignment:

Due:

ALL WORK MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE DUE DATED LISTED!!! THIS IS PART OF YOUR READING GRADE!!