Pacing Guide for Literature Circles

Credit to: Nancy Steineke (Daniels 77-80, 165-172)

Day 1- Students are introduced to the books through book talks and a speed
date previewing session. During the previewing session students are
allowed a short amount of time with each book before they have to pass it to
the next person in their group. The groups will be temporary, and there will
be one person in a group per book offered, e.g., 6 books to choose from, 6
people in each group. Students will write down their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
choices.
Day 2+3- The teacher will show any absent students the book choices and
ask them to choose their favorites. The teacher will also form groups based
on book choice and group compatibility.
Day 4- Literature circles will be announced. Students will meet together, and
their first task will be to introduce each other. They will do an icebreaker,
and share with each other their interests, backgrounds, and any relevant
opinions. Then each group will work to create ground rules so that their
group will be able to run smoothly. They will also be provided with a reading
calendar, and they will create their schedule. (They will be advised to
consider holidays, important test days, and other days that might eat away
at reading time as an important factor in their schedule.) When the class
meets as a whole again, one member from each group will share their
ground rules and the process they used to decide their reading schedule.

Day 5- The teacher will model for the class what their notes should look like.
The teacher can show them previous classes notes, as well as their own
notes. The teachers notes can be in response to a short story or poem that
she reads to the class. With that short story/poem the teacher can lead the
class in a discussion that models what their lit circles should be like. The
teacher should also explain what the students behavior should look like and
create a poster that outlines general expectations that can be visible during
all of the meetings.
Day 6- During the class the students should be given around 20 minutes SSR
reading time to start their books.
Day 7- First day of discussion. The teacher will check the students notes. In
the students discussions they should start with a warm-up given by the
teacher, and then share the illustrations, questions, and connections that
group members generated, while also discussing important passages.
Finally, they should end their literature circles should end with a whole class
processing, during which the teacher could insert a mini-lesson on
characterization or setting.
Day 8- At the beginning of the class, the group should meet for a short time
to discuss what went well about their first meeting and what goals they need
to have for future meetings. For every goal they create, they should find
three actions that they can use to meet that goal.
Day 9-Shall proceed the same way as Day 7.

Day 10- Students should meet for a short time to discuss whether they met
their goals, and how well they did. They should also come prepared to share
their personal goals and their plan for improvement with the group.
Day 11 till the End of Book- On days that students meet they should continue
a schedule similar to day 7.