Lesson Plan
Measuring Our Voices
Students will be able to understand the criteria for effective participation in literature circles and use a rubric to self-assess and provide peer feedback.
Effective participation is key to successful literature circles, fostering deeper understanding and engagement with texts. This lesson helps students develop critical self-reflection and communication skills.
Audience
7th Grade Class
Time
50 minutes
Approach
Through direct instruction, discussion, and practice with a rubric, students will learn to evaluate participation.
Materials
Measuring Our Voices Lesson Plan, Fair & Focused Feedback Slide Deck, Lit Circle Participation Rubric, Peer Feedback Form Worksheet, and Rubric Exemplar Guide Answer Key
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Fair & Focused Feedback Slide Deck and customize as needed.
- Print copies of the Lit Circle Participation Rubric and Peer Feedback Form Worksheet for each student.
- Review the Rubric Exemplar Guide Answer Key to prepare for guiding student discussion.
Step 1
Introduction: Why Participation Matters
5 minutes
- Begin with a quick discussion: "What does good participation look like in a group discussion?"
- Introduce the lesson objectives and explain the importance of assessing participation in literature circles (e.g., fairness, growth).
- Present the first few slides of the Fair & Focused Feedback Slide Deck.
Step 2
Understanding the Rubric
15 minutes
- Distribute the Lit Circle Participation Rubric.
- Go through each criterion and level of the rubric using the Fair & Focused Feedback Slide Deck.
- Encourage students to ask questions and clarify any misunderstandings.
- Discuss what each level 'looks like' and 'sounds like' in a literature circle setting. Refer to the Rubric Exemplar Guide Answer Key for examples.
Step 3
Self-Assessment Practice
10 minutes
- Have students reflect on a previous literature circle discussion (if applicable) or a general group discussion.
- Ask them to use the Lit Circle Participation Rubric to self-assess their own participation.
- Prompt them to identify areas of strength and areas for growth.
Step 4
Peer Feedback Training
10 minutes
- Explain the purpose and importance of constructive peer feedback.
- Introduce the Peer Feedback Form Worksheet.
- Model how to give specific, actionable, and kind feedback using an example scenario (refer to the Rubric Exemplar Guide Answer Key for ideas).
- Emphasize the 'sandwich method' for feedback: positive comment, constructive suggestion, positive comment.
Step 5
Wrap-up and Next Steps
10 minutes
- Collect the self-assessments and Peer Feedback Form Worksheet (optional, or for review).
- Briefly review key takeaways about effective participation and assessment.
- Announce when students will next use these tools in their literature circles.
- Address any remaining questions and reinforce the value of their voices.
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Slide Deck
Measuring Our Voices: Fair & Focused Feedback
What does good participation look like in a group discussion?
Greet students and start with an open question to get them thinking about group work.
Our Goals Today
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand what makes strong literature circle participation.
- Use a rubric to assess your own and your peers' contributions.
- Give helpful and constructive feedback.
Clearly state the lesson's learning objectives.
Why Assess Participation?
- For YOU: Helps you grow, understand expectations, and see your progress.
- For US: Ensures fairness and encourages everyone's voice to be heard.
- For the Group: Leads to richer discussions and deeper understanding of the books.
Explain why assessing participation is beneficial for both students and the teacher.
Meet the Rubric!
A rubric is like a map that shows us what strong work looks like.
It helps us understand:
- What we need to do.
- How well we are doing.
- How to improve!
Introduce the concept of a rubric as a tool for clear expectations.
Rubric Category 1: Active Listening
What does it mean to be an 'Active Listener'?
- Looks like: Making eye contact, nodding, facing the speaker.
- Sounds like: Asking clarifying questions, summarizing what others said, building on ideas.
What are some ways you show you're actively listening?
Go over the first criterion. Encourage students to give examples of what this looks like.
Rubric Category 2: Thoughtful Contributions
What does a 'Thoughtful Contribution' sound like?
- Sharing new ideas, asking open-ended questions.
- Connecting to the text with specific examples (quotes!).
- Respectfully disagreeing and explaining why.
How can your comments make the discussion better for everyone?
Discuss the second criterion, focusing on quality over quantity.
Rubric Category 3: Collaborative Spirit
What does a 'Collaborative Spirit' look like?
- Encouraging others to speak.
- Sharing airtime, not dominating the conversation.
- Helping the group stay on track.
Why is it important for everyone to feel comfortable sharing their ideas?
Address respectful dialogue and group dynamics.
Time for Self-Assessment!
Now, take a moment to think about a recent group discussion.
Using the rubric:
- Read each category carefully.
- Circle the level that best describes your own participation.
- Think about one thing you did well and one thing you want to improve.
Explain how to self-assess using the rubric. Emphasize honesty and reflection.
Giving Peer Feedback: Be a Feedback Friend!
Giving feedback helps your classmates grow, just like it helps you!
Remember the 'Feedback Sandwich':
- Start with something positive.
- Offer one specific suggestion for improvement.
- End with another positive comment.
Introduce peer feedback and its purpose. Stress the importance of kindness and specificity.
Peer Feedback: Let's Practice!
Imagine your classmate, Alex, spoke a lot but didn't always connect to the text.
How could you give Alex feedback using the 'Feedback Sandwich' and the Peer Feedback Form Worksheet?
Think about being specific and kind!
Provide an example or walk through a hypothetical scenario. Use the 'Peer Feedback Form'.
Your Voice Matters!
You now have the tools to:
- Understand effective literature circle participation.
- Thoughtfully assess your own and others' contributions.
- Help your group have even better discussions!
Get ready to use these skills in our next literature circles!
Conclude with a forward-looking statement about applying these skills.
Rubric
Literature Circle Participation Rubric
Name: ____________________________ Date: _____________
Literature Circle Group: ____________________ Book: __________________
Use this rubric to assess your own or your peers' participation in our literature circles. Highlight or circle the description that best fits the participation for each category.
1. Active Listening
| Score | Description |
|---|---|
| 4 - Exemplary | Consistently listens intently, makes eye contact, and encourages others. Asks insightful clarifying questions and builds effectively on peers' ideas. |
| 3 - Proficient | Listens attentively most of the time, makes eye contact, and responds appropriately. Asks clarifying questions and generally builds on peers' ideas. |
| 2 - Developing | Listens sometimes, but may get distracted. Occasionally asks clarifying questions, but may struggle to connect to or build on peers' ideas. |
| 1 - Beginning | Often distracted or disengaged. Rarely listens to peers or asks clarifying questions, and does not build on their ideas. |
2. Thoughtful Contributions
| Score | Description |
|---|---|
| 4 - Exemplary | Regularly shares well-developed, insightful ideas directly connected to the text with strong evidence (quotes, page numbers). Poses challenging, open-ended questions that deepen discussion. |
| 3 - Proficient | Shares relevant ideas and questions, usually supported by evidence from the text. Contributes to moving the discussion forward. |
| 2 - Developing | Shares some ideas, but they may lack depth or direct textual connection. Contributions are often surface-level or repetitive. |
| 1 - Beginning | Rarely contributes ideas or questions. Contributions are off-topic or lack any connection to the text. |
3. Collaborative Spirit
| Score | :---------- |
|---|---|
| 4 - Exemplary | Consistently encourages all group members to participate and shares airtime effectively. Helps guide the discussion, ensures everyone is heard, and resolves minor conflicts constructively. |
| 3 - Proficient | Generally encourages others and shares airtime. Contributes to a positive group dynamic and helps keep the discussion on track. |
| 2 - Developing | Sometimes dominates or withdraws from the discussion. May not consistently encourage others or help maintain a positive group dynamic. |
| 1 - Beginning | Dominates the discussion or rarely participates. Disrupts group flow or shows little respect for peers' contributions. |
Overall Score:
Add up your scores from each category:
Total Score: ________ / 12
Reflection / Feedback
What is one thing you did well or your peer did well?
What is one thing you or your peer could improve on for the next literature circle?
Worksheet
Peer Feedback Form
Your Name: _________________________ Date: ______________
Giving Feedback To: ____________________ Book: ______________
Think about your classmate's participation in your last literature circle. Use the Lit Circle Participation Rubric to help you give specific and helpful feedback. Remember the 'Feedback Sandwich'!
1. Something Positive (Top Bun)
What is one specific thing your classmate did well during the discussion? Give an example.
2. Suggestion for Improvement (The Filling)
What is one specific thing your classmate could improve on for the next literature circle? Use the rubric to help you explain why and how they could improve. (Be kind and helpful!)
3. Another Positive (Bottom Bun)
End with another positive comment about your classmate's participation or effort.