English 11 Forsberg/Bennett
The Great Gatsby Literature Circles
Facilitators/Plot Summarizers
1. Plot points clearly identified in the chapter.
2. Log keeper for the group—after the group works on the chapter this person will submit what was accomplished, by whom, concerns in the group, questions that the members have.
3. This person will also be in charge of facilitating the group meeting for the chapter. Be sure everyone has a chance to share with the group.
Mind Mappers
1. This person will create a visual/symbolic representation that takes the viewer through the chapter. Drawings, illustrations, and colors are expected and encouraged. Words should be kept to a minimum.
2. Mind maps must be accompanied by a brief (1/2 page) interpretation of their illustration. Please note that this should be on a separate piece of paper from the mind map, and
Character Trackers
1. This person is to have a list of all characters in the chapter to give to the group.
2. Characters are to be listed as “major,” “minor,” or “part of the background.” (Major and minor characters have names.)
3. Each character that has a major impact/role within the chapter should be tracked. What do the characters do? What changes do the characters undergo? What archetypal character masks do the major characters wear? What new information do we gain about each of the characters in the chapter?
Text Connectors
1. This person is to identify the power in the chapter. The monitor will be looking for examples of each of the five types of power as outlined by French and Raven.
2. In addition, this person will be expected to use specific examples from the text for the type of power. This person will also be expected to clearly explain how the cited example illustrates the power type.
3. Vocabulary Master for the group—this person is expected to have any words that are unknown written down and defined for the chapter. Copies are to be made for the group members.
Assessments
At the end of the unit, all groups will submit their final products, which will be the collective work of all members. The product will be a nine chapter “book” that will act as the basis for students’ summative assessment. There will be a total of nine components that each student will make for this product. Two of the nine components will be assessed for an individual grade (60 summative points) at the end of the unit.
· Students will choose one component that they feel is the example of their best work. This component will be assessed on a 30 point scale.
· An additional 30 points of the individual grade will be from a component that the instructor chooses. To be eligible for this second part of the assessment, all nine of the components must be fully completed.
For the final group assessment, members of the group will collectively submit what is decided to be the best plot summary, mind map, character tracking, and text connection. Ideally, each group member’s work will be represented for this final assessment, and the final work will illustrate work that spans the length of the novel (40 summative points).
