Their Eyes Were Watching God Literature Circles
You will be assigned to a group with three of your peers. For certain chapters, your assigned homework will be to
prepare for your literature circle. What this means is that you will have a specific task to complete. Then, during class, you will
meet with the other members of your literature circle and discuss your entries. You should NOT read them word for word, but
you need to be prepared to lead the group discussion on your topic for 5 minutes or so. There are FOUR roles and each of the
job descriptions are written below. Make sure you understand what your assignment is. THIS IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY!!! If
you do not do your part, you will be affecting your entire group. On the first day, you will be assigned a role. The next time we
are given a literature circle assignment, each group member will assume the next role BELOW the one they just finished on
the list. Pay attention to your task BEFORE you begin your reading. You will need to write a full typed page to fully respond to
the role (unless otherwise instructed). You will receive a grade based on your completion and thought of the assigned task.
Your grade will ALSO be based on whether or not you HAVE your assignment/task with you AND that there is a clear
demonstration that you are ON TASK AND ON TOPIC on the days we meet in literature circles. Thus, if you lose focus and just
begin discussing random topics, you will receive reduced or possibly NO CREDIT for the homework for that day.
IMPORTANT! If your group is short a member, then when you get to the missing person’s turn, your group can separate and
join another group whose member completed the task.
Role 1 "Literary Luminary" – … Find at least 3 passages that highlight imagery or symbolism. Discuss each quote’s
purpose/significance to the reading assignment. You will write down both the passage —pg. # included—AND a 4-5
sentence response. Show your group insight – Can you connect it to other readings? Are their multiple passages serving
the same purpose? What is the purpose?
Role 2 "Perceptive One" – Find at least 2 quotes (to write about AND discuss) that give the reader an insight into a
character or to the novel's greater meaning. Don't just choose a quote that relates to the plot, pick ones that you can
discuss (and write a ½ page each). Show your group insight – Why do you think he said that? What does this tell us about
this character? How would you reply to this statement? This should not be about symbolism…that’s Role 1’s job.
Role 3 - "New Van Gogh" - Draw a picture or create an image (magazine, computer, newspaper) that reflects an
important theme/idea/moment. This should be fairly informal, but it must include a caption that tells us what it is you
are trying to convey (a short phrase) and a quote to you used for inspiration. Show your group insight – Why does this
image matter? What is its significance/importance to the assigned reading? Why/How did it stand out to you?
Role 4 - "The Insider" - Ask (and write about) 3 meaningful (not factual) questions for the group to discuss. You have to
read between the lines for these types of questions. Look at the author's purpose by including a specific passage or
scene in the book. Write your questions AND your answers. These are NOT yes/no questions… They are questions that
provoke thought and discussion Show your group insight – What are they trying to get at? Why is this significant? What
ideas does the text explore? Why does a character act in a certain way in this scene? Why did the author include this
character? How does this relate to your world today? What challenges are the characters confronting internally? This
should not be about symbolism…that’s Role 1’s job.
***Remember what a group...
 Sounds like: Everyone is on task & talking about the book. Everyone gets a chance to speak. Ask other people's
opinions and respond to their thoughts. If you find yourself talking over others, quiet down; if you find yourself hiding
quietly, ask a question or offer your opinion.
 Looks like: Everyone is sitting in a circle (--NOT a line); no one is left out. Books are opened and being used.
 Feels like: Comfortable; no one is afraid to speak out and everyone understands.
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Chapter 2-4 Lit Groups
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Chapter 5-7 Lit Groups
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Chapter 8-10 Lit Groups
Chapter 14-17 Lit Groups
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