Students are expected to respond to literature and to use critical thinking as they do. We must teach them to use logic and reasoning to support and maintain a clear point of view. State Standards call for a very structured way of responding, but I am sharing here some ways that may mix it up and bring a little joy to your classrooms and homes if you are homeschooling.
1. Write the story from a different point of view.
2. Write a parody of a scene from the book or story.
3. Write a letter to the author.
4. Put together a cast for the film version of the book and explain why each was chosen.
5. Convert the book into a puppet show.
6. Prepare a commercial about the book or story.
7. Write a summary in poetic form.
8. Play charades based on the characters of the book or play charades using several books students have read.
The ways to respond to literature are endless. The key is to teach students how to respond before expecting them to respond.