Reader Response

We are continuing to do reader response letters about the books we are reading. I have spoken recently with the class about moving away from just writing their letter with descriptions of what is happening in the book they are reading, to sharing their ideas about the books. I am looking for students to share their own thoughts about the books, and explain why they are thinking this way, using information from the book. We wrote down the following ideas of what they may write about:
-make a prediction about what you think might happen in the book and why you think it may happen
-discuss a previous prediction and whether it turned out to be correct or not
-tell a part you like in the book and explain why you liked it
-tell about a part you did not like in the book and explain why you did not like it
-tell what you like about the author's writing and explain why or give examples
-make connections (text to text, text to self, or text to world) explaining the situation in the text and the situation you are comparing it to
-tell what you are wondering about (a character, a situation, a possibility)

Parents can have students practice this at home after they read, writing a letter to give their ideas about their book.