Literature Circle Choice Board

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A plan to follow for the book you choose

Literature circle choice board

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This link will lead you to videos on how to do each of the literature circle jobs.

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This link will lead you to the book options and resources for those books.

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Available resources

Click the buttons to watch a quick video on how to complete each of the Literature Circle Jobs.

Lit Circle Jobs

Teacher's choice!

Teacher's choice!

Teacher's choice!

a coming-of-age story about a young boy who sets off on a journey with his dog to follow his love of space

See You in the Cosmos

a story about an unlikely friendship between a boy whose family farm is near foreclosure and a girl from a family of migrant farm workers his family hires to work on the farm

return to sender

a dystopian story about a family who has been living in an underground compound for the last six years

The Compound

a story about the unlikely friendship between two boys who are very different

Freak the mighty

a fantasy story about a young girl, a mysterious manor, a flying lion, and magic

Lion of Lark-hayes

a memoir about a man who lives with and regularly interacts with a herd of elephants

The Elephant Whisperer

a collection of poems about two brothers who play basketball

The crossover

literature circle choice board

Difficulty Rating: Average

Need help with how to complete a lit circle job? We got you covered!

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Modeling your lit circle job

Here you can find a quick summary on sections of the book.

Link

Spoiler alert!

Use this link to plan how many pages you should read during each ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson.

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plan your reading

The Crossover

Day 6: Pages 128 through 154 Day 7: Pages 155 through 171 Day 8: Pages 172 through 196 Day 9: Pages 196 through 222 Day 10: Pages 223 through 237

Day 1: Pages 3 through 23 Day 2: Pages 24 through 51 Day 3: Pages 52 through 76 Day 4: Pages 76 through 102 Day 5: Pages 103 through 127

Use this list to plan how many pages you should read each day. The days listed below match the ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson. So, for Day 1, read these pages for lesson 3.1.3, Read and Discuss Day 1, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Follow this plan so you can finish your book on time!

The reading plan

"The Crossover" is a novel in verse (like a poem or song) that tells the story of Josh Bell, a talented basketball player, and his twin brother, Jordan. Josh, also known as "Filthy McNasty," loves basketball and has a close bond with his brother, who goes by "JB." Their father, Chuck Bell, is a former basketball star who teaches them the game and important life lessons. As the story progresses, Josh and JB's relationship is tested when JB gets a girlfriend named Alexis, whom Josh nicknames "Miss Sweet Tea." Josh feels left out and struggles with jealousy as JB spends more time with Alexis. This causes tension between the brothers, but they eventually find a way to reconnect through their shared love of basketball. Their father, Chuck, has health problems that he tries to hide from his family. Despite his efforts, his condition worsens, and he eventually suffers a heart attack. This event deeply affects Josh and JB, forcing them to confront their fears and the reality of their father's mortality. The boys learn to support each other and their mother during this difficult time.

WARNING: These summaries might ruin the book for you! I don't provide a summary for all chapters. Just the first few.

Sometimes it helps to look at a spoiler to make sure you didn't miss anything

Spoiler alert

Only for this book!

Do you like to listen to audio while reading your text? Check out the link!

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Listen to the reading

Difficulty Rating: Easy

Need help with how to complete a lit circle job? We got you covered!

Link

Modeling your lit circle job

Here you can find a quick summary on sections of the book.

Link

Spoiler alert!

Use this link to plan how many pages you should read during each ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson.

Link

plan your reading

Freak the Mighty

Day 6: Chapters 12 through 13, pages 72 through 87 Day 7: Chapters 14 through 15, pages 88 through 99 Day 8: Chapters 16 through 17, pages 100 through 114 Day 9: Chapters 18 through 20, pages 115 through 134 Day 10: Chapters 21 through end, pages 135 through 160

Day 1: Chapters 1 through 2, pages 1 through 9 Day 2: Chapters 3 through 5, pages 10 through 27 Day 3: Chapters 6 through 7, pages 28 through 40 Day 4: Chapters 8 through 9, pages 41 through 53 Day 5: Chapters 10 through 11, pages 54 through 71

Use this list to plan how many pages you should read each day. The days listed below match the ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson. So, for Day 1, read these pages for lesson 3.1.3, Read and Discuss Day 1, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Follow this plan so you can finish your book on time!

The reading plan

"Freak the Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick is a story about two boys, Max and Kevin, who form an unlikely friendship. Max is a large boy who struggles in school and has low self-esteem, while Kevin, nicknamed "Freak," is small, physically disabled, but incredibly smart. They meet and become friends, calling themselves "Freak the Mighty" because together they feel strong and capable. Throughout the summer, Max and Kevin go on various adventures. Kevin rides on Max's shoulders, and they explore their neighborhood, imagining themselves as knights on quests. They face challenges, including bullies and dangerous situations, but their friendship helps them overcome these obstacles. Kevin teaches Max new words and ideas, making Max feel smarter and more confident. As their bond grows, Kevin shares his dream of getting a bionic body to replace his frail one. Max is worried about Kevin's health but supports his friend's dreams. They continue to have adventures, including retrieving a purse from a storm drain and meeting some shady characters. Their friendship is tested, but they always stick together. The story takes a darker turn when Max's father, Kenny "Killer" Kane, is released from prison and kidnaps Max.

WARNING: These summaries might ruin the book for you! I don't provide a summary for all chapters. Just the first few.

Sometimes it helps to look at a spoiler to make sure you didn't miss anything

Spoiler alert

Click here for a folder with all the chapter audio files.

24&25

23

22

21

20

19

18

17

16

15

14

13

12

11

10

Click the chapter number below to access the audio

Mighty!

The

Below you'll find audio readings for each chapter of Freak the Mighty. Be sure to read along!

Freak

Audio readings

Difficulty Rating: Challenging

Need help with how to complete a lit circle job? We got you covered!

Link

Modeling your lit circle job

Here you can find a quick summary on sections of the book.

Link

Spoiler alert!

Use this link to plan how many pages you should read during each ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson.

Link

plan your reading

The Elephant whisperer

Day 6: Chapter 22 through chapter 24, pages 179 to 217 Day 7: Chapter 25 through chapter 29, pages 218 to 264 Day 8: Chapter 30 through chapter 33, pages 266 to 300 Day 9: Chapter 34 through chapter 36, pages 301 to 328 Day 10: Chapter 37 to end, pages 329 to 368

Day 1: Prologue through chapter 3, page 1 to 30 Day 2: Chapter 4 through chapter 6, pages 31 to 69 Day 3: Chapter 7 through chapter 11, pages 70 to 106 Day 4: Chapter 12 through chapter 17, pages 107 to 142 Day 5: Chapter 18 through chapter 21, pages 143 to 178

Use this list to plan how many pages you should read each day. The days listed below match the ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson. So, for Day 1, read these pages for lesson 3.1.3, Read and Discuss Day 1, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Follow this plan so you can finish your book on time!

The reading plan

This is a true story! Lawrence Anthony is introduced as the owner of Thula Thula, a game reserve in Zululand, South Africa. He is asked to take in a herd of troubled elephants. When the elephants arrive at Thula Thula, they are traumatized and aggressive, having been deemed dangerous due to their past behavior. The elephants break out of their enclosure on the first night, leading to a tense situation as Lawrence and his team work to recapture them. Lawrence begins to spend more time with the elephants, especially the matriarch, Nana, to build trust and calm them. The book details various challenges, including poaching threats and the elephants’ repeated attempts to escape. Over time, Lawrence’s patience and unconventional methods start to pay off.

WARNING: These summaries might ruin the book for you! I don't provide a summary for all chapters. Just the first few.

Sometimes it helps to look at a spoiler to make sure you didn't miss anything

Spoiler alert

Difficulty Rating: Challenging

Need help with how to complete a lit circle job? We got you covered!

Link

Modeling your lit circle job

Here you can find a quick summary on sections of the book.

Link

Spoiler alert!

Use this link to plan how many pages you should read during each ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson.

Link

plan your reading

See You in the Cosmos

Day 6: Recording 29 through 33, pages 171 through 199 Day 7: Recording 34 through 38, pages 200 through 228 Day 8: Recording 39 through 44, pages 229 through 259 Day 9: Recording 45 through 47, pages 260 through 286 Day 10: Recording 48 through end, pages 287 through 315

Day 1: Recording 1 through 6, pages 3 through 31 Day 2: Recording 7 through 12, pages 32 through 63 Day 3: Recording 13 through 18, pages 64 through 96 Day 4: Recording 19 through 25, pages 97 through 138 Day 5: Recording 26 through 28, pages 139 through 170

Use this list to plan how many pages you should read each day. The days listed below match the ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson. So, for Day 1, read these pages for lesson 3.1.3, Read and Discuss Day 1, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Follow this plan so you can finish your book on time!

The reading plan

Alex introduces himself and his mission to record life on Earth for extraterrestrials. He lives in Rockview, Colorado, with his mother and his dog, Carl Sagan. Alex is preparing for the Southwest High-Altitude Rocket Festival (SHARF) in New Mexico, where he plans to launch his “Golden iPod.” He travels to SHARF by train, meeting new people along the way, including Zed and Steve. Alex’s rocket launch fails, but he remains determined to continue his mission. Alex decides to go to Las Vegas to find his father, whom he thought was dead, after discovering a clue on Ancestry.com. Zed and Steve accompany Alex to Las Vegas. Alex meets his half-sister, Terra, and they begin to uncover family secrets together.

WARNING: These summaries might ruin the book for you! I don't provide a summary for all chapters. Just the first few.

Sometimes it helps to look at a spoiler to make sure you didn't miss anything

Spoiler alert

Difficulty Rating: Average

Need help with how to complete a lit circle job? We got you covered!

Link

Modeling your lit circle job

Here you can find a quick summary on sections of the book.

Link

Spoiler alert!

Use this link to plan how many pages you should read during each ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson.

Link

plan your reading

The compound

Day 6: Chapter 13 through 14, pages 139 through 157 Day 7: Chapter 15 through 16, pages 158 through 186 Day 8: Chapter 17 through 18, pages 187 through 196 Day 9: Chapter 19 through 20, pages 197 through 226 Day 10: Chapter 21 to end, pages 227 through 245

Day 1: Prologue through chapter 2, pages 1 through 34 Day 2: Chapter 3 through 4, pages 35 through 54 Day 3: Chapter 5 through 6, pages 55 through 70 Day 4: Chapter 7 through 9, pages 71 through 99 Day 5: Chapter 10 through 12, pages 100 through 138

Use this list to plan how many pages you should read each day. The days listed below match the ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson. So, for Day 1, read these pages for lesson 3.1.3, Read and Discuss Day 1, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Follow this plan so you can finish your book on time!

The reading plan

The story begins with Eli Yanakakis, who has been living in an underground compound with his family for six years. They entered the compound after a supposed nuclear attack. Eli reflects on the loss of his twin brother, Eddy, who didn’t make it into the compound. The family struggles with their new reality. Eli’s father, Rex, reveals the compound’s extensive resources and the plan to stay underground for fifteen years until it is safe to emerge. Eli discovers that their food supply is compromised, raising concerns about their long-term survival. Eli’s mother gives birth to “supplements,” children created as a potential food source, which horrifies Eli. Eli begins to question his father’s motives and the truth about the outside world.

WARNING: These summaries might ruin the book for you! I don't provide a summary for all chapters. Just the first few.

Sometimes it helps to look at a spoiler to make sure you didn't miss anything

Spoiler alert

Difficulty Rating: Average

Need help with how to complete a lit circle job? We got you covered!

Link

Modeling your lit circle job

Here you can find a quick summary on sections of the book.

Link

Spoiler alert!

Use this link to plan how many pages you should read during each ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson.

Link

plan your reading

The Lion of Lark-Hayes manor

Day 6: Chapters 20 through 23, pages 149 through 182 Day 7: Chapters 24 through 26, pages 183 through 207 Day 8: Chapters 27 through 29, pages 208 through 228 Day 9: Chapters 30 through 32, pages 229 through 267 Day 10: Chapter 31 to end, pages 268 through 308

Day 1: Chapters 1 through 4, pages 1 through 35 Day 2: Chapters 5 through 7, pages 36 through 64 Day 3: Chapters 8 through 11, pages 65 through 93 Day 4: Chapters 12 through 15, pages 94 through 120 Day 5: Chapters 16 through 19, pages 121 through 148

Use this list to plan how many pages you should read each day. The days listed below match the ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson. So, for Day 1, read these pages for lesson 3.1.3, Read and Discuss Day 1, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Follow this plan so you can finish your book on time!

The reading plan

Poppy Woodlock and her family move to Lark-Hayes Manor in Oregon. Poppy feels invisible and out of place in her new school and home. She explores the manor and its grounds, hoping to find some magic and discovers a mysterious old book that hints at the manor’s magical past. During a late-night exploration, Poppy encounters a water nymph who offers her a deal: in exchange for her favorite book, Poppy will receive a magical secret. Poppy agrees to the deal and is introduced to Sampson, a winged lion. She is thrilled to have proof that magic exists. As Sampson grows, Poppy notices that books from the manor’s library start disappearing and she begins to see the impact on her family and friends as their favorite stories vanish from memory.

WARNING: These summaries might ruin the book for you! I don't provide a summary for all chapters. Just the first few.

Sometimes it helps to look at a spoiler to make sure you didn't miss anything

Spoiler alert

Difficulty Rating: Average

Need help with how to complete a lit circle job? We got you covered!

Link

Modeling your lit circle job

Here you can find a quick summary on sections of the book.

Link

Spoiler alert!

Use this link to plan how many pages you should read during each ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson.

Link

plan your reading

The Lion of Lark-Hayes manor

Day 6: Pages 179 through 210 Day 7: Pages 211 through 246 Day 8: Pages 247 through 296 Day 9: Pages 297 through 307 Day 10: Pages 308 through 318

Day 1: Pages 3 through 36 Day 2: Pages 37 through 72 Day 3: Pages 73 through 106 Day 4: Pages 107 through 136 Day 5: Pages 137 through 178

Use this list to plan how many pages you should read each day. The days listed below match the ELA "Read and Discuss" lesson. So, for Day 1, read these pages for lesson 3.1.3, Read and Discuss Day 1, on Jan. 6, 2025.

Follow this plan so you can finish your book on time!

The reading plan

Tyler Paquette returns to his family’s farm in Vermont after spending the summer with his aunt and uncle. He learns that his family has hired three Mexican workers to help on the farm due to his father’s accident. Tyler meets the Cruz family, who live in a trailer on the farm. There are three daughters, Mari, Ofie, and Luby. Tyler’s parents suspect that the Cruz family might be illegal immigrants. Tyler struggles with this revelation and what it means for his family. Mari writes letters to her mother, who is missing after trying to return to the United States from Mexico. Mari’s letters reveal her fears and hopes. Tyler and Mari’s friendship grows as they navigate school and the challenges of their families’ situations. Tyler learns more about Mari’s life and the difficulties her family faces. The community’s attitudes towards the Cruz family create tension. Mari faces discrimination at school but also makes friends. Then Mari’s family receive news that brings fear and urgency to their situation.

WARNING: These summaries might ruin the book for you! I don't provide a summary for all chapters. Just the first few.

Sometimes it helps to look at a spoiler to make sure you didn't miss anything

Spoiler alert