206. Virtual Literature Circles
Love Literature Circles? Want to make them more successful? Tired of missing important teaching moments while doing Literature Circles? Try them virtually. I’ll equip you with everything needed to start tomorrow. I have a plethora of handouts and ideas that allow you to be involved in every meeting at once.
Presenter(s): Erika Tyner
1. Name:_______________________
Book:_______________________
Letter:____
Created by Erika Tyner 2005
Updated 2007, 2010, 2014
Virtual Literature Circle Information (modified)
Typing = Talking
Reading = Listening
1 Post-it Note = 1 Discussion Topic = 1 Thread
Literature Circle Meeting Dates (Every Friday)
Meeting 1 – ___________
Meeting 2 – ___________
Meeting 3 – ___________
Meeting 4 – ___________
Meeting 5 – ___________
Meeting 6 – ___________
All Literature Circle Work is due on Meeting 6
Virtual Literature Circle Meeting Requirements:
1. Work for each Meeting:
● Chapters Read
● 4 Post-it Notes
● 1 Page Required Work
2. Meeting Discussion Requirements
a. To receive full credit, make at least 8 comments using the following format:
● I agree with ______________, because______________.
● I disagree with ____________, because______________.
● I would also like to add__________________________.
● I have a similar connection or idea as ____________.______________.
b. To receive full credit, reply to or answer the teacher at least 2 times.
3. Starting a New Thread (One thread equals one post-it note.)
Post-it Note 1.1* (pg.____) (Type of Post-it Note)
1._________
2._________
3._________
2. Name:_______________________
Book:_______________________
Letter:____
Created by Erika Tyner 2005
Updated 2007, 2010, 2014
*1.1 refers to Meeting 1, Post-it Note 1*
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. What do I put on my four Post-it Notes?
Type of Post-it What Should I write on my Post-it? Example
Literary Elements 1. Copy the “text”
2. Tell the Literary Element used
3. Tell WHY the authorused it
1. “The sun woke us up.”
2. Personification
3. The author used it to show that the
characters woke up when the sun’s light hit
them.
Pg. 74
Unknown Words 1. Word?
2. What you think it means (Using
Context Clues)
3. Definition
(to be completed in meetingby usingan online
dictionary or a dictionaryin the classroom)
1. famished?
2. I think it means that the character is
thirsty.
3. Famished means being overly
hungry.
Pg. 36
Inferences 1. State your inference
2. Copy “TEXT EVIDENCE” that
supports inference.
1. I infer that Bud had a rough
childhood.
2. “My eyes don’t cry no more”
“…that’s when grown folks start
giving you slugs that’ll knock you
right down….”
Pg. 129 and 130
Characterization 1. Character Name
2. Character Traits
3. “TEXT EVIDENCE” that
supports above charactertraits
1. Bud Caldwell
2. Caring, Kind
3. I said, “You’re going to be great.
Jerry couldn’t help but smile…”
Pg. 129
Connections 1. Describe the connection you
have
2. Tell what type of connection it is
1. I connected with the main character
because I also have a sisterthat
drives me crazy.
2. Text to Self
Pg. 4
Questions 1. Summarize what is happening.
2. Tell why it is confusing
1. Sally is telling Jeff that she does not
like his hair, but she is the one who
cut it.
2. I don’t know why she would say that
about her own haircut.
Pg. 57
*Please remember to do four different types of post-it note per meeting.*
B. Where should I put my written work and my post-it notes?
1. Written Work – Write your response on the appropriate page in your Literature Circle Log.
2. Post-it Notes – Place on the appropriate piece of paper in your Literature Circle Log.
C. Whathappens if I don’t do my work or participate appropriately?
1. Warning(If nowork has been completed, nowarningwill be given.)
2. Removal fromgroup withthe followingadditional work:
a. Completethe reading, post-it notes,andwrittenresponse forthe meeting.
b. 1 paragraph for eachcharacter describingthe characterin detail.
c. 2 page summary of the chapters readforthe meeting
3. Name:_______________________
Book:_______________________
Letter:____
Created by Erika Tyner 2005
Updated 2007, 2010, 2014
d. 1 paragraph describinghowyour behaviorwill be different for thenext meeting.
(All work shouldbe turnedin at the endof the meetingor thefollowingMonday,with the discretionof the teacher.)
3. Contact Parents, Meetingwith Principal
Literature Circle Log (modified)
Group Members:__________________________________________________________
A. Meeting Log
Meeting # Date Required Reading for Each Meeting
Chapters (if applicable) PAGES
Initial
when
work is
complete.
Initial
when
meeting
is
complete.
Meeting 1 pg._____-_____
Meeting 2 pg._____-_____
Meeting 3 pg._____-_____
Meeting 4 pg._____-_____
Meeting 5 pg._____-_____
Meeting 6 pg._____-_____
B. Work Required for Each Meeting
(Please attach all work to this log, including all post-its (dated) and taped to a clean sheet of paper.)
Meeting # Work to be completed prior to meeting
Meeting 1
Date:______
1. One-page initial response to the reading.
2. 4 (or more) post-its concerning interesting parts, questions,
unfamiliar words, literary terms, personal connections, etc.
Meeting 2
Date:______
1. One-page about the most powerful event, so far, in the book.
2. 4 (or more) post-its concerning interesting parts, questions,
unfamiliar words, literary terms, personal connections, etc
Meeting 3
Date:______
1. 20 questions you would like to ask a character. Make sure you
give the character’s name.
2. 4 (or more) post-its concerning interesting parts, questions,
unfamiliar words, literary terms, personal connections, etc.
Meeting 4
Date:______
1. One-page character analysis of one of the characters in the
book.
2. 4 (or more) post-its concerning interesting parts, questions,
unfamiliar words, literary terms, personal connections, etc.
Meeting 5
Date:______
1. One-page prediction of what you think will happen at the end.
2. 4 (or more) post-its concerning interesting parts, questions,
unfamiliar words, literary terms, personal connections, etc.
Meeting 6
Date:______
1. One-page recommendation, suggestion, of this book, including
what you liked and did not like.
2. 4 (or more) post-its concerning interesting parts, questions,
4. Name:_______________________
Book:_______________________
Letter:____
Created by Erika Tyner 2005
Updated 2007, 2010, 2014
unfamiliar words, literary terms, personal connections, etc.
C. Response for Each Meeting - Your response can include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. What you would have changed about the meeting.
2. What went well during the meeting.
3. Things you learned from your classmates during the meeting.
4. The most interesting part of the meeting.
5. What you do not get discuss that you would have liked to discuss.
Meeting # Your Response
Meeting 1
Date:______
Meeting 2
Date:______
Meeting 3
Date:______
Meeting 4
Date:______
Meeting 5
Date:______
Meeting 6
Date:______