"he Things They Carried
by Tim O'Brien
LITERATURE CIRCLES
SCHEDULES & ROLE SHEETS
English 098 - Prof. Reynolds
Introduction: In order to understand and absorb the novel more thoroughly, the class will break into three "literature circles" modeled after the very popular book groups that have sprung up across the country in the last few years. For each session of the circle, each person will take a different role in the group in order to facilitate a complete and lively discussion of the book. When the book is finished, each circle will produce a group presentation for the class (guidelines to follow), which will summarize and highlight what the circle felt was important about the book. Finally, each student will write his or her own essay about the book.
Roles:
1
Discussion Director
Develops a list of questions
2
Highlighter
Locates a few special sections of the text to read aloud.
3
Illustrator
Provides a sketch, cartoon, diagram, flow chart, collage or other visual image
4
Real World Connector
Finds connections between the book and the world outside.
5
Summarizer
Prepares a brief summary of the reading.
6
Investigator
Digs up background information on any topic related to the book.
Reading Schedule
Week 1
"The Things They Carried," "Love," "Spin,"
"On the Rainy River"
Week 4 "The Man I Killed," "Ambush," "Style"
Week 2
"Enemies," "Friends," "How to Tell a True War Story"
Week 5
"Speaking of Courage," "Notes," "In the Field," "Good Form," "Field Trip"
Week 3
"The Dentist," "Sweetheart of the Song Tra Bong," "Stockings," "Church"
Week 6 "The Ghost Soldiers," "Night Life," "The Lives of the Dead"
Adapted from Literature Circles: Voice and Choice in the Student Centered Classroom
by Harvey Daniels. York, MA: Stenhouse Publishers, 1994
quoted in Teaching Developmental College Reading: A New Instructor's Handbook
by Suzanne H. Watts, CSU Fullerton, 1999
Lit Circle Roles
1. Discussion Director
Name: ___________________________________
Circle ___________________________________