Read a book aloud to the class. Stop at the end of each chapter or during exciting parts of the story. Ask students to predict what will happen next. Write their predictions down on chart paper. Continue reading and have students refine their predictions as they gather more information from the story. Revisit their predictions as you continue reading and discuss whether they were correct. This activity can also be done as students read with partners or while they read independently. Ask them to write their predictions down on sticky notes as they read.
Put a twist on traditional book reports. Ask students to complete story summary folders when they finish reading books. Provide each student with a file folder. Have them write the titles and authors of their books on the front, along with pictures to illustrate the titles. Glue a lined piece of paper inside each folder. Ask students to write summaries of their books. Have them include information about the setting, characters and main events. Glue a second piece of lined paper opposite the summary page. Ask students to write their opinions of the books, including any suggestions they have to improve the stories. Glue a blank piece of paper to the back of each folder for students to draw pictures of the main characters. Ask them to add words to their pictures to describe character traits such as "intelligent" and "adventurous."
Ask each student to choose a short story or favorite chapter from a book. Have students practice reading their selections to partners. Teach them to focus on fluency and expression. Once they have adequately rehearsed, ask students to take their books home and read their selections to three people. They can read to parents, siblings, other relatives, friends and even pets and stuffed animals.
Assign students to small groups of four to five children. Provide each group with a few novels to choose from, appropriate for their reading levels. After reading a chapter, each group meets to discuss their book. Assign a role to each student to help guide the group's discussions. Roles can include discussion leaders, story summarizers and illustrators. Have each student assume a different role each time the group meets.