Launch
 

Literature Circle Lessons
 

Closure
 

Bibliography/References
 

Instructional Ideas & Extensions
 

Alignment to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

• Watch "Where the Red Fern Grows" with class for a reward movie or read "The Tiger Rising" by Kate DiCamillo to the class during teacher reading time. 
• Have students discuss the themes in the book/movie they have experienced.  Especially touch on the role of animals in the books and the major life choices the main characters have to make.
• Pass out "Summer of the Monkeys" and "Because of Winn Dixie."
• Have students look at the title, first few pages, and back of the book. 
• Let students write 4 predictions about the theme of the book and the events in the story on a large post-it note to be posted on the inside front cover of their books.
• Have students find Florida and the Ozark Mountains on a map of the United States.
• Assign the first section of each book to read and all individual literature circle roles for Section 1.