Literature Circles: Getting started

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

• Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
  • Objective 1.06: Read independently daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student's independent reading level) to:
    • increase fluency
    • build background knowledge
    • extend vocabulary.
• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.01: Use metacognitive strategies to comprehend text (e.g., reread, read ahead, ask for help, adjust reading speed, question, paraphrase, retell).
  • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, or viewing by:
    • setting a purpose.
    • previewing the text.
    • making predictions.
    • asking questions.
    • locating information for specific purposes.
    • making connections.
    • using story structure and text organization to comprehend.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
    • fiction (short stories, novels, fantasies, fairy tales, fables).
    • nonfiction (biographies, letters, articles, procedures and instructions, charts, maps).
    • poetry (proverbs, riddles, limericks, simple poems).
    • drama (skits, plays).
  • Objective 2.04: Identify and interpret elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
    • author's purpose.
    • plot.
    • conflict.
    • sequence.
    • resolution.
    • lesson and/or message.
    • main idea and supporting details.
    • cause and effect.
    • fact and opinion.
    • point of view (author and character).
    • author's use of figurative language (e.g., simile, metaphor, imagery).
  • Objective 2.05: Draw conclusions, make generalizations, and gather support by referencing the text.
  • Objective 2.06: Summarize main idea(s) from written or spoken texts using succinct language.
  • Objective 2.08: Listen actively by:
    • facing the speaker.
    • making eye contact.
    • asking questions to clarify the message.
    • asking questions to gain additional information and ideas.

Grade 4

• Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
  • Objective 1.04: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
    • wide reading.
    • word study.
    • knowledge of homophones, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms.
    • knowledge of multiple meanings of words.
    • writing process elements.
    • writing as a tool for learning.
    • seminars.
    • book clubs.
    • discussions.
    • examining the author's craft.
  • Objective 1.06: Read independently daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student's independent reading level) to:
    • increase fluency.
    • build background knowledge.
    • expand vocabulary.
• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.01: Use metacognitive strategies to comprehend text and to clarify meaning of vocabulary (e.g., reread the text, consult other sources, ask for help, paraphrase, question).
  • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by:
    • setting a purpose using prior knowledge and text information.
    • making predictions.
    • formulating questions.
    • locating relevant information.
    • making connections with previous experiences, information, and ideas.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
    • fiction (legends, novels, folklore, science fiction).
    • nonfiction (autobiographies, informational books, diaries, journals).
    • poetry (concrete, haiku).
    • drama (skits, plays).
  • Objective 2.05: Make inferences, draw conclusions, make generalizations, and support by referencing the text.
  • Objective 2.06: Summarize major points from fiction and nonfiction text(s) to clarify and retain information and ideas.
  • Objective 2.09: Listen actively by:
    • asking questions.
    • paraphrasing what was said.
    • interpreting speaker's verbal and non-verbal messages.
    • interpreting speaker's purposes and/or intent.

Grade 5

• Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
  • Objective 1.03: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
    • wide reading.
    • word study.
    • word reference materials.
    • content area study.
    • writing process elements.
    • writing as a tool.
    • debate.
    • discussions.
    • seminars.
    • examining the author's craft.
  • Objective 1.05: Read independently daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student's independent reading level) to:
    • increase fluency.
    • build background knowledge.
    • expand and refine vocabulary.
• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.01: Use metacognitive strategies independently and flexibly to monitor comprehension and extend vocabulary (e.g., skim, scan, question).
  • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by:
    • making predictions.
    • formulating questions.
    • supporting answers from textual information, previous experience, and/or other sources.
    • drawing on personal, literary, and cultural understandings.
    • seeking additional information.
    • making connections with previous experiences, information, and ideas.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, such as:
    • fiction (tall tales, myths).
    • nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).
    • poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).
    • drama (plays and skits).
  • Objective 2.04: Identify elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
    • plot development.
    • author's choice of words.
    • effectiveness of figurative language (e.g., personification, flashback).
    • tone.
  • Objective 2.05: Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).
  • Objective 2.09: Listen actively and critically by:
    • asking questions.
    • delving deeper into the topic.
    • elaborating on the information and ideas presented.
    • evaluating information and ideas.
    • making inferences and drawing conclusions.
    • making judgments.