EACH GROUP MEMBER NEEDS TO PICK A SEPARATE COLOR

PURPLE�GOLD�YELLOW�SALMON

White (for a group of 5)

LITERARY �CIRCLES

A guide to reading as a group

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What do stories teach us about the human condition?

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(The shared experiences, characteristics, and limitations of human existence)

BIG IDEA

• STYLE
• PERSPECTIVE
• DISCUSSIONS

INTENTIONS

• I can analyze how the perspective and background of a narrator shapes writing choices.
• I can analyze how style and content contribute to the effectiveness of the text.
• I can initiate and participate effectively in collaborative discussions.
• I come to discussions prepared, having read the material and with relevant notes

SUCCESS CRITERIA

3

What do you know/have learned about style and perspective in terms of its impact and effects on a story?

reflection

HOW DO STYLE & PERSPECTIVE CONTRIBUTE TO MEANING?

STYLE (A) + PERSPECTIVE (B) + CONTENT (C) = MEANING (X)

ROLES

Yer jorb

DISCUSSION DIRECTOR

• Your job is to develop a list of questions that your group can discuss about this part of the novel. Your questions should be those which require thought and get everyone talking and sharing their opinions and reactions.
• You must have a minimum of 5 questions
• ***It is perfectly fine to ask questions that may not have specific answers! This is called analyzing a text!***

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PERSPECTIVE PURVEYOR

• Your job is to share observations you have about the narrator in the book.
• ​
• Choose 3-5 passages in your book where you observe something important we learn from the narrator or how the narration is affecting the story telling.
• Be specific in your observations. The more specific you are, the better your discussions will be with your group.

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STYLE SERGEANT

• Style creates “voice” for an author. Style consists of an author's word choice, figurative language use, and sentence/paragraph structure. It is your job to find interesting, powerful,  puzzling, or important sections of the text. This could be a really well worded sentence, or an awkward sentence, or a beautiful/horrifying passage. It’s up to you. You decide which passages are worth reading aloud, and justify your reasons for selecting them.

IMPORTANCE INSPECTOR

• Your job is to share observations you have about important plot elements or in the book. Choose 3-5 passages in your book where you observe something you think is important to the plot happens or is described.
• Be specific in your observations. The more specific you are, the better your discussions will be with your group. 

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GRADING

• 4 discussions. A, B, C, D based on how many you come to class prepared for.
• Group evaluations + Restad evaluation: How do your peers assess you in your ability to contribute to the group.
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• Reflections AND (if necessary) section quizzes

CATCHER IN THE RYE

73,404 - 790L

One sentence summary

The Catcher in the Rye is the story of a teenage boy who has been expelled from his prep school and is wandering through New York City over a few days, struggling to come to terms with the complexities of growing up and the seeming phoniness of the adult world.

ADVISORIES

Mild profanity

One prostitute

Underage drinking

And a hell of a lot of cigarettes

NOTE ON AUTHOR

• WWII
• Landed at D-Day
• Helped Libertate Dachau
• Wrote much of it during his time in the army
• Extremely reclusive after writing
• Published as a whole in 1951

Week 1 - Introducing the Novel

(Through chapter 7)

Character Background -

What do we know about Holden? Why do we start here? What does the intro emphasize about our narrator?

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Thematic Overview -

What themes do you see developing?

ADVISORIES

Mild profanity

One prostitute

Underage drinking

And a hell of a lot of cigarettes

WHAT DOES HOLDEN DO AT THE END OF CHAPTER 7?

THIS IS NOT A TRICK QUESTION.

DID YOU HAVE A PULSE?

Week 2 - “Want to grab a drink?”

(Through chapter 15)

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• Discuss the protagonist’s personality, his motivations, and the impact of his experiences on his mental state.
• Explore how he perceives and interacts with the world around them.

ADVISORIES

Mild profanity

One prostitute

Underage drinking

And a hell of a lot of cigarettes

GRAB CHROMEBOOKS

1. Discuss General Observations & Questions
2. Discussion Director Questions
3. Share observations (Importance, perspective, style)
4. End with discussion of symbol(s) hat, ducks, museum, ‘catcher’ "What does it mean to Holden? Why did Salinger choose this symbol? How does the reader (YOU) see it?”

DISCUSSION DAYS

NORMS

• Take notes
• Share “Air Time”
• Listen, then RESPOND
• Everybody values opinions and questions

Grab something to write with and your discussion prep sheets.

IN CHAPTER 15, WHO DOES HOLDEN FEEL BAD ABOUT BLOWING SMOKE AT IN THE DINER?

THIS IS NOT A TRICK QUESTION.

DID YOU HAVE A PULSE?

Week 3 - Symbols

(Through chapter 22) - PICK ONE of these symbols to examine. What does it mean to Holden? Why did Salinger choose this symbol? How does the reader (YOU) see it?

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• The Red Hunting Hat:
• The Museum:
• The Ducks:
• The "Catcher" Fantasy/Glove:

Week 4 - Wrapping Up

• Salinger utilizes a "stream-of-consciousness" style that mirrors the disjointed, contradictory nature of Holden’s thoughts. Why does Salinger decide to do this, in your opinion? Evaluate how the writing style and choices of the novel (the slang, repetitions, curse words and informal tone) interacts with some of the main themes.

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• Holden Caulfield’s narration is defined by a conversational and mostly immature tone: a mix of hyperbole, repetitive digressions, and criticisms. Analyze how Holden’s specific background affects the feel/mood and structure of the story and connects to the overall point of the novel.

[ 1 ]

[ 2 ]

[ 3 ]

What do stories teach us about the human condition?

​

(The shared experiences, characteristics, and limitations of human existence)

BIG IDEA

• STYLE
• PERSPECTIVE
• DISCUSSIONS

INTENTIONS

• I can analyze how the perspective and background of a narrator shapes writing choices.
• I can analyze how style and content contribute to the effectiveness of the text.
• I can initiate and participate effectively in collaborative discussions.
• I come to discussions prepared, having read the material and with relevant notes

SUCCESS CRITERIA

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