Lesson Plan
First Meeting Framework
Students will establish group norms, set collaborative goals, and begin initial text exploration to ensure productive and respectful literature circle discussions.
Establishing clear expectations and understanding the purpose of literature circles from the outset is crucial for successful group dynamics and deeper engagement with texts. This lesson helps students build a strong foundation for effective teamwork and literary analysis.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided goal setting, and collaborative contract creation.
Materials
- Launching Our Literary Journey Slide Deck, - Whiteboard or large paper, - Markers, - Norms & Expectations Brainstorm Discussion Guide, and - Group Contract Builder Worksheet
Prep
Review Materials
15 minutes
- Review the First Meeting Framework Lesson Plan to familiarize yourself with the session flow and objectives.
- Prepare the whiteboard or large paper for recording student ideas during the norms brainstorming.
- Make sure copies of the Group Contract Builder Worksheet are available for each group.
- Familiarize yourself with the Launching Our Literary Journey Slide Deck and the Norms & Expectations Brainstorm Discussion Guide.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Begin with a quick warm-up: Ask students to share one thing they are excited about or curious about regarding literature circles.
- Introduce the concept of literature circles and the purpose of today's meeting using the Launching Our Literary Journey Slide Deck (Slides 1-2).
- Explain that this session is about setting the stage for successful group collaboration and meaningful discussion.
Step 2
Establishing Group Norms (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Facilitate a class discussion on what makes a successful collaborative group using the Norms & Expectations Brainstorm Discussion Guide. Record key ideas on the whiteboard/large paper.
- Guide students to brainstorm specific norms or rules for their literature circles (e.g., active listening, respectful disagreement, equal participation).
- Discuss the importance of a shared understanding and commitment to these norms.
Step 3
Setting Group Goals (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Explain the importance of setting goals for their literature circles. Goals can be academic (e.g., understand themes, analyze characters) or collaborative (e.g., ensure everyone speaks, help each other understand the text).
- Have each group discuss and establish 2-3 actionable goals for their first few meetings. Circulate to provide guidance and ensure goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Step 4
Creating a Group Contract (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Distribute the Group Contract Builder Worksheet to each group.
- Instruct groups to use the brainstormed norms and their established goals to create a group contract.
- Emphasize that this contract is a living document that they can revisit and revise as needed.
- Each member should sign the contract, signifying their commitment.
Step 5
Initial Text Exploration & Wrap-Up (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Briefly introduce the first text (if applicable) or explain how texts will be assigned.
- Discuss initial reading strategies or provide a very short
Step 6
Initial Text Exploration & Wrap-Up (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Briefly introduce the first text (if applicable) or explain how texts will be assigned.
- Discuss initial reading strategies or provide a very short passage for groups to practice a quick observation/question activity.
- Conclude by reminding students of the value of their group work and the exciting journey ahead. (Slide 3 on Launching Our Literary Journey Slide Deck)
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Literature Circles!
What are Literature Circles?
- Small group discussions about a shared book.
- A chance to explore ideas, ask questions, and share insights.
- You are the experts!
Welcome students and introduce the concept of literature circles as a collaborative way to explore books. Emphasize that this is their chance to own their learning and discussion.
Our First Mission: Group Foundation
Today's Goals:
- Understand the purpose of literature circles.
- Establish norms for respectful and productive discussions.
- Set exciting goals for our reading journey.
- Create a group contract to guide our work.
Explain the goals for today: setting up their groups for success, establishing how they'll work together, and thinking about what they want to achieve.
Why Do We Need Rules? (Even for Fun Stuff!)
Imagine a great team...
- What do they do well?
- How do they treat each other?
- What happens when there are no clear expectations?
Today, we'll brainstorm Norms & Expectations Brainstorm Discussion Guide for our circles!
Transition into the importance of norms. Ask students to think about other group activities they've done and what made them successful or challenging.
Chart Your Course: Setting Group Goals
What do you want to achieve?
- As a reader?
- As a group member?
- As an explorer of stories?
Let's make our goals SMART!
Explain that setting goals helps give direction and purpose to their reading. Guide them to think about what they want to get out of the literature circle experience.
Your Group, Your Rules: The Contract
A promise to yourselves and your teammates.
- Based on our brainstormed norms.
- Reflecting your group's unique goals.
- Everyone signs on!
Use your Group Contract Builder Worksheet.
Introduce the idea of a group contract as a way to formalize their commitment to norms and goals. Distribute the worksheet and explain the task.
Your Adventure Begins! Next Steps
Getting ready to dive in:
- Our first text is...
- Reading assignment for next time.
- Let's make some initial predictions or questions about the text (if time/applicable).
Get ready for an amazing journey of stories and ideas!
Briefly mention the first text or the process for choosing one. Provide a simple, engaging prompt to get them thinking about the text, even if they haven't started reading.
Discussion
Norms & Expectations Brainstorm: Building Our Literature Circle Community
Introduction
Welcome, literature circle adventurers! Today, we're laying the groundwork for amazing discussions. Think of our literature circles as a team – and every great team needs some ground rules to play by. These aren't just rules; they're agreements that help us learn, share, and respect each other.
Discussion Prompts
-
What makes a truly great team or group?
- Think about sports teams, study groups, or even family working together. What qualities do successful groups share?
- What are some behaviors that help a group work well?
-
How do we ensure everyone feels heard and respected in a discussion?
- What does "active listening" look like and sound like?
- How can we encourage quieter members to share their thoughts?
- What should we do if someone is dominating the conversation?
-
What are some expectations we should have for how we communicate with each other?
- How can we express disagreement respectfully?
- What kind of language should we use?
- Is it okay to challenge an idea, and how do we do that constructively?
-
Beyond talking, what other "norms" might help our literature circles succeed?
- Think about preparation: What should everyone do before coming to a meeting?
- What about participation: How can we ensure everyone contributes?
- What if a group member isn't following the norms?
Reflection
As a class, let's try to synthesize our ideas into 3-5 core norms that we all agree are essential for our literature circles. We'll use these to help build our group contracts!
- Class Norm 1: _________________________________________
- Class Norm 2: _________________________________________
- Class Norm 3: _________________________________________
- Class Norm 4: _________________________________________
- Class Norm 5: _________________________________________
Worksheet
Group Contract Builder: Our Literature Circle Agreement
Welcome to your literature circle! This contract will help your group work together smoothly and have fantastic discussions. Fill it out together, and make sure everyone agrees to the terms.
Our Group Information
- Group Name: _________________________________________
- Members:
-
Our Agreed-Upon Norms
Based on our class discussion and what we think makes a great group, what are the essential rules or guidelines we agree to follow?
-
Participation & Listening: (e.g., Everyone speaks, we listen actively, no interrupting)
-
Respect & Disagreement: (e.g., We challenge ideas, not people; we are respectful of different opinions)
-
Preparation: (e.g., We will complete all readings and assignments before each meeting)
-
Problem-Solving: (e.g., How will we handle conflicts or if someone isn't following the contract?)
Our Group Goals
What do we want to achieve as a literature circle? Think about academic goals (like understanding themes) and collaborative goals (like helping each other).
-
Goal 1: _________________________________________
- How will we know if we've achieved this?
- How will we know if we've achieved this?
-
Goal 2: _________________________________________
- How will we know if we've achieved this?
- How will we know if we've achieved this?
-
Goal 3: _________________________________________
- How will we know if we've achieved this?
- How will we know if we've achieved this?
Our Commitment
We, the undersigned members of this literature circle, agree to uphold the norms and work towards the goals outlined in this contract. We understand that this is a living document that we can revisit and revise as our group evolves.
Signatures:
- _________________________________________ (Date: __________)
- _________________________________________ (Date: __________)
- _________________________________________ (Date: __________)
- _________________________________________ (Date: __________)
- _________________________________________ (Date: __________)