Have students keep journals to write in after they read selected material. When students write in their journals, teachers can give them a set of questions that they want them to answer. Examples of questions for students to answer include "I wonder why...," "What if...," and "Why would...? These questions can be finished with specific details that the teacher wants to check comprehension on. Students in first grade should be expected to write two to three sentences for each journal entry in the beginning of the year. This amount can steadily progress throughout the school year.
Divide students into small groups of three to four and assign or let them choose a scene from the book. They will then write a script, practice it and act it out for the class. Have students act out scenes in sequence of the book and record them on video. Play back the recording at the conclusion and watch it as a movie of the book.
Have students write a paragraph to the author. This paragraph can include what they thought of the story, what parts they liked or disliked, if they related to a certain character and any thoughts on how the book or story could have ended differently or been changed throughout. Have students exchange their letters with each other and pretend to be the author. They will then write a response letter explaining why they wrote what they did and their thoughts behind the book.
For this activity, the students will have a silent discussion by passing a piece of paper around the room. Instruct students to write one sentence about the book. This can include characters they liked or disliked, what they thought about a certain situation or if they liked the ending. You can write a starter sentence at the top of the paper to direct the conversation. The students will write their own sentences and then pass them to the next person who will in turn reply or add to the conversation. This activity can be timed or given a limited number of trips around the room.