Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Jigsaw Lit Circle Discussions
Middle schoolers will participate in a discussion of a text by preparing for a literature circle. This lesson is an example of the Jigsaw Method. A student video and grading rubric are provided.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Thoughtful Threads: Sparking Rich Online Discussions
Today's learners love chatting online with friends. This lesson plan combines that love with literature. Students form literature circles and have meaningful online discussions about a literary work.
University of Calgary
The Children's Literature Web Guide
This resource is a children's literature web guide.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Engaging With Literature: Workshop for Teachers, Grades 3 5
This nine-part workshop is designed so that it can be used for professional development by individuals, groups of teachers, or as a course for graduate credit. It features videos of eight elementary teachers practicing and discussing...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Graffiti Wall: Discussing and Responding to Literature
New ways of thinking about text, collaboration with group members, and presentation skills are all developed with this instructional activity which could be applied to almost any novel read in class. Includes student handouts, an online...
Scholastic
Scholastic Discussion Guides: Dear America
Good for classrooms and book groups, this site offers background, summary, discussion topics and questions, as well as activities. There's also an interview with the author.
Other
Penguin Group Canada: 'Run' Teacher's Guide [Pdf]
Run' by Eric Walters is a fictionalized account of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope run across Canada. This teacher's guide has discussion questions and response journal prompts for each chapter as well as extension activities for the novel....
Other
Reading Group Guides: My Intonia
This site features a reading group guide for the book, "My Antonia," by Willa Cather. Students will benefit from the discussion questions listed in this resource.
Other
Nancy Polette: "Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone" Literature Guide
Check out this literature guide for the book, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," by J.K. Rowling. In addition to a very brief overview of the book, there are questions to think about, several activities, and a song. All help...
![Glencoe Literature Library: "The Summer of the Swans" [Pdf] Unit Plan](https://content.lessonplanet.com/knovation/original/103574-021fe01ce273704c7d6f97a013be9ca0.jpg?1661498425 "Glencoe Literature Library: \"The Summer of the Swans\" [Pdf] Unit Plan")
McGraw Hill
Glencoe Literature Library: "The Summer of the Swans" [Pdf]
A nice study guide for "The Summer of the Swan" by Betsy Byars, complete with pre-reading material, thought-provoking discussion and essay questions, and brainstorming activities. Provides excellent post-reading writing and...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Maniac Magee
Have you ever read "Maniac Magee" by Jerry Spinelli? Use this resource to learn more about this book. An educational resource with discussion questions, extension activities and more.
Other
Reading Group guides.com: Black Boy
This site features a reading group lesson plan for the book "Black Boy" by Richard Wright. Students and teachers will benefit from the informational discussion questions listed.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: A Bad Case of Bullying: Using Literature Response Groups
Contains plans for three lessons that use "A Bad Case of Stripes" by David Shannon to start student discussion in literature response groups and to prevent bullying. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Exploring Literature Through Letter Writing Groups
This lesson plan enables pupils to participate in a letter exchange designed to promote discussion on literature-based topics. Included in the lesson plan is an overview, practice, objectives, resources, preparation, and more.
Other
Fitzhenry and Whiteside: 'The Savage River' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
"The Savage River: Seventy-One Days with Simon Fraser", an historical novel by Marjorie Wilkins Campbell, begins in 1808 and follows Simon Fraser and his group of Voyageurs as they travel on the Fraser River in British Columbia. This...
![Orca Book Publishers: 'In a Flash' Teaching Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/410124/large/bwluav9tywdpy2symdiwmduymc0yndc1mi1jc3z5z2cuanbn.jpg?1589985518 "Orca Book Publishers: 'In a Flash' Teaching Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: 'In a Flash' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
In a Flash by Canadian author Eric Walters is about a boy who plans flash mob events where a large group of teens do something outrageous. The girl he wants to impress thinks these are not smart and he sets out to change her mind. This...
![Orca Book Publishers: 'Manga Touch' Teaching Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/410132/large/bwluav9tywdpy2symdiwmduymc0yntcxmy1py3uyencuanbn.jpg?1589985529 "Orca Book Publishers: 'Manga Touch' Teaching Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: 'Manga Touch' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
In 'Manga Touch' by Canadian author Jacqueline Pearce, Dana tries to fit in at her school and with Japanese students she meets on a school trip to Japan. She feels excluded from the 'in' group of school peers. This teacher's guide...
![Orca Book Publishers: 'Daredevil Club' Teaching Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/410130/large/bwluav9tywdpy2symdiwmduymc0yntuwni0xbdz4exj5lmpwzw.jpg?1589985525 "Orca Book Publishers: 'Daredevil Club' Teaching Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: 'Daredevil Club' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
In Daredevil Club by Canadian author Pam Withers, a group of boys dares each other to complete challenges in order to remain members of their club. One boy takes risks he should not. This teacher's guide includes a book summary and ideas...
![Orca Book Publishers: 'Sewer Rats' Teaching Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan](http://content.lessonplanet.com/resources/thumbnails/410134/large/bwluav9tywdpy2symdiwmduymc0ynjewos1zyw53dw8uanbn.jpg?1589985544 "Orca Book Publishers: 'Sewer Rats' Teaching Guide [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Orca Book Publishers
Orca Book Publishers: 'Sewer Rats' Teaching Guide [Pdf]
Sewer Rats by Sigmund Brouwer is an adventure tale. A group of kids secretly play paintball games in urban underground drainage tunnels. Then one of them gets lost in the tunnels just as a heavy rainstorm begins. This teacher's guide...
Penguin Publishing
Penguin Random House: Penguin: David Copperfield Reading Guide
A reading guide to the novel David Copperfield along with biographical tidbits about Dickens and discussion questions for reading groups.
Other
Literature Circles: Lesson Plans and More
What are the major roles in literature circles? Check out this site to learn more about the individual roles needed to form a literature circle. Includes links to various reading handouts and lessons.
Other
Seattle University: Literature Circles Resource Center
How can you get started with literature circles in your classroom? This site provides information on every aspect of developing your own literature circle instruction.
Other
Random House Reading Group Guide: Anne Frank
This online literature guide offers discussion questions for a group reading "The Diary of Anne Frank." These questions delve into the heart and soul of the book.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Joseph Bruchac
Author Joseph Bruchac gives a personal account of his childhood, family relations, and career. Features links to a booklist, an interview transcript, and the transcript from a discussion group.