Treasure Chest of Thoughts

Another new adventure for me…reading a novel with one lit circle group within each of my English 11 classes.

First, to the group that assigned 175 pages for the first reading…let’s just say this is a good reminder of what being assigned homework is like…and what it feels like as I wait too long to begin the next assignment!  Don’t worry!  I’ll make it!

Right now, both of these classes are reading historical fiction, a genre I have not read in some time.   My in-class library needs some help here also…not enough choice and not near enough novels on our reading levels!

Here’s a list of what we are reading for our “A Pioneer Never Quits Unit”:

• Indian Captive
• The Sacrafice
• Fever 1793
• Caddie Woodlawn:  I’m in that group!
• Black Storm Comin’
• The Glory Field:  This is the group that assigned me 175 pages for the first assignment!  Good book, though!

Yesterday, we met for our first club meeting.  Reinforced  the fact that lit circles should assist in retention of content and a much deeper reading.  I am a sticky-note user (saves writing in my class books and my annotating choice of the day), so I showed the class my novel…one quickly sprouting pink wings (Caddie Woodlawn)!  Today’s group (The Glory Field) will see how I am using sticky notes to divide the book as the author has done…by segments of time.

Next time?  We adopt our roles and report accordingly.  Each person assumes a different role for each club meeting (of course, no two may have the same role on the same day).  Uh, oh…what role was I assigned? 

1. Discussion Director
2. Illustrator
3. Wordsmith
4. Summarizer
5. Travel Tracker
6. Vocabulary Enricher
7. Connector
8. Conflict Connector

The assigment includes having their role ready to discuss, then taking notes on the other roles as each club member discusses his/her findings.

Yes, reading deeper!  Need to find that extra package of sticky notes!