I started giving each group a Literature Cirlce packet. I meet with each group at least 6 times. This allows each job to be completed by everyone at least once.  I grade this packet and it is part of their reading grade. This has helped with discussion too.  I was running into the problem, that no one would say anything. It was like pulling teeth to try to get some of my students to discuss the book. This has helped and has added more organization in the cirlce.  Here are the jobs that each member can choose from:

Connector: Your job is to find connections between the book you are reading and

the outside world. This means connecting what you read with your own life, to what

happens at school or in the community, to similar events at other times and places,

or to other people or problems. Once you have shared your connection to this

section of the book, each member of your group will also relate their own connection

to the book, although they may refer to a different passage.

Describe the part in the book, page number, and then explain your connection.

Discussion Director: Your job is to write a list of questions that your group might

want to discuss about this part of the book. The best questions will come from your

own thoughts, feelings, and ideas about this section of the book. You also need to

write your own answers to these questions.

Story Illustrator: Please illustrate a detailed picture of an important scene in your reading that you were able to make a connection with.  Be sure to tell why it is important and your connection to the picture. Label your connections as T-T, T-S, T-W, or T-M.

Literary Luminary: Your job is to choose a paragraph or sentences from the book

to discuss with your group. Your purpose is to help other students by spotlighting

something interesting, powerful, funny, puzzling, or important from the text. You

can read parts aloud yourself, or ask another group member to read them. Include

your reasons for picking the paragraphs or sections you did. Please record the page

number and paragraph.

Passage Finder: Your job is to choose a paragraph or sentences from the book

to discuss with your group. Your purpose is to help other students by spotlighting

something interesting, powerful, funny, puzzling, or important from the text. Please write a response explaining your reasons for picking the passage or sections you did. Along with your response tell what strategy you used. Please record the page number and paragraph.

Summarizer: Your job is to prepare a summary of the reading. Don’t tell the whole

story, just focus on the important parts. The other members of your group will be

counting on you to give them a quick statement that tells about the story (the

summary), and the key points.

Vocabulary Enricher: Your job is to look for a few important words in your reading. If

you find words that are puzzling or unfamiliar, mark them down on this page while you are

reading. Later, you can look them up in a dictionary and write down their definitions. You

may also find words in the reading that are significant to the story. Mark these words too,

and be ready to point them out to the group. Be sure to add your connection to the word.  How does the word relate to you and your life? Code your thinking!

What do you have you student's responsible for in their Literature Cirlces?