Why Book Clubs and Literature Circles Are an Amazing Resource for Your Classroom: Everything You Need to Get Started

Resources

Mar 20

Something I’ve been doing for the past several years is starting a book club/literature circle with my students. Most of them seem to really enjoy it, especially since I allow them to lead the group themselves rather than it be me who guides the discussion. I usually do this toward the end of the school year, as independent work expectations have been clearly established by then and, after end-of-year testing is over, the students need something to work on.

If you are looking for an activity like this to do with your students, keep reading!

**First of all, what is a literature circle?**

A literature circle is essentially a book club, which is why I often use these terms interchangeably with my students. However, one of the major differences is that each student will have a role while reading the book with their group, not only discussing their comprehension of the text, but different reading strategies that are important to their understanding. When they meet, each will get the chance to share their thoughts related to their job with the rest of the group.
I find that too many students in one group is a recipe for disaster. Instead, I group my students by reading level and try to stick to no more than 5 students in a group.
It’s important that students choose their own books for this! You want them to read something that interests them.
In the past, I had it to where each student had a different job every day, but I quickly realized that was waaaay too much work for them, and many of my lower students were unable to keep up with the papers I was having them work on (or they weren’t going it at all). So, after that, I had students switch jobs every week.

**Why are literature circles (and this resource) so amazing?**

📚Builds academic vocabulary and conversation around books
Through the guidance of the printables, students will be able to have great discussion about the books they have chosen. The pages will help increase their vocabularies, evaluate the texts, make connections, visualize the words the author wrote, ask and answer questions, lead discussions, and more. After completing their page of the week, the students will have plenty to talk about.

📚Increases independence and autonomy

Students will get to choose their own books, make their own expectations, set their own reading pace, and choose their own job rotation. Once getting started, you’re no longer taking the lead, Teach! The students have the reins now. I always tell my students that their book club time is like guided reading, except they’re the ones leading the discussion, not me. I will check on them weekly, however, to make sure they’re on the right track.

📚Strengthens reading comprehension skills

I’m sure there are many other literature circle jobs that could be assigned, but the ones in this resource are: Word Wizard, Discussion Director, Creative Connector, Passage Picker, and Sketch Artist. Each of these jobs focuses on a reading comprehension strategy, so the students get authentic practice when meeting with their peers.