Reading fiction and reflecting on, writing about, and discussing what has been read is a great way to build reading comprehension and other reading skills, as well as deepen understanding of the various elements of fiction.
For the writer, it is a way to learn the craft by examining and analyzing the practices of others.
Read
Read a novel or short story for fifteen to twenty minutes.
Reflect
Think about what you have read.
Write
- Make a list of things you like about a character in the story.
- Pick one trait from the list and explain why you like it.
- Explain how this trait contributed to your liking of the character.
Share
Share your response with your reading partner, partners, or as a comment here. If you share here, please remember to include the title of the book and its author. Your “response” could prove intriguing enough that someone else might like to read that book as well.
Building Pre-readers’ Literacy Skills
Read a picture book that contains a storyline together.
Ask
Ask your pre-reader which character they liked best. Once your pre-reader has identified a character, ask what he or she liked best about that character.
Discuss
Enjoy a lively “book talk” with your pre-reader!
Your Turn
How did it go? Please share any of your actual responses, observations, or comments. Let’s encourage one another!
