Provide students with discussion questions to answer in small groups. The questions should relate to specific aspects of the text while also being conducive to exploratory thinking. This highlights the most important information in the text while allowing students the freedom to discuss the text openly amongst themselves. Though lecture-based discussion can be more time-efficient, having students discuss the text in small groups will encourage students who don't often speak up in the classroom to provide their input. Moreover, students will be more comfortable discussing their creative interpretations with each other as opposed to doing so in front of the classroom.
Assign each group different chapters or sections of the reading assignment. The group works together to develop a lesson plan that explores the most important aspects and information of the assigned section. Once finished, each group will stand in front of the class and teach their section as if they were the instructors. Encourage students to use the blackboard for notes and diagrams. Have them incorporate a student-led classroom discussion into their lesson plan.
Plot diagrams visually map out the structure and events of a story. The plot is generally represented by a single line that traces a triangular path to represent the rising and falling action, with events from the story written in notes on the diagram. While providing students with plot diagrams helps them grasp the overall story, creating their own diagrams allows them to more thoroughly engage with the text. Have each group discuss and create their own plot diagram for the text. Each group will then draw their diagrams on the board. Once the diagrams are completed, hold a classroom discussion concerned with the similarities and differences between each group's plot diagram. This emphasizes the subjectivity of reading comprehension.
For character-driven reading assignments, assign a different chapter or section of the text to each group. Instruct each group to come up with a dramatic interpretation of their assigned section. Students first make a list of all the characters that appear in their section. The group then creates a short play that follows the plot of their section. Each student in the group will assume the role of a different character in the play. Allow students to incorporate dialogue from the text, but also encourage them to write their own dialogue based on creative interpretation. Each group then performs their play in front of the class to depict their assigned section.