Prior to reading a short story, students may spend time researching the author's personal background or the time period in which the story was written, according to the University of Nebraska. Facts may be recorded on a graphic organizer, such as a chart or diagram, or in response to questions provided by the teacher. If the story is set in a time of historical importance, students may spend time learning about significant events and sharing in small groups or as a class. Brainstorming individually or in pairs or groups may also be used to activate students' prior knowledge of the short story's theme or setting to establish connections prior to reading.
Developing readers or those with auditory learning strengths may appreciate listening to a story on tape or CD prior to reading it independently, according to the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. Professional recordings may be used, or students may record themselves reading to practice diction and pacing. Students may respond to basic questions after a first reading of a short story, such as a list of characters, description of setting, summary of action of plot, motivation and conflict resolution. Visual learners may respond to a short story by drawing a picture of an image they visualize, while auditory learners may prefer to discuss questions in pairs or as a class.
After the initial reading of the story, students may move on to analysis and interpretation. Graphic organizers may help students construct meaning, according to Scholastic, by providing visually intriguing ways for them to consider the story's sequence of events or character's actions and motivations. Encourage students to consider the story's theme by summarizing the central idea in one sentence or use literature circles to promote small-group discussion of the lessons of the story or questions it evokes. Students may also identify specific passages from the story that demonstrate a particular literary element or allow them to connect ideas to their own lives.
After reading the short story twice and spending time analyzing and interpreting its elements, students may be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of the story by creating a final product. Creative writing, such as a poem or memory writing, may be an ideal final product for some students, according to the Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. More formal final products may include short essays or responses to teacher-directed questions as post-reading strategies to encourage comprehension. Other creative final products may include skits, songs, collages displaying thematic ideas or characters or setting maps detailing important places or historical events.