Each student can write a letter to the author of his book. This works for books that are assigned to the entire class and for books that the children are reading individually. Letters can be sent in "care of" the publishing company or you can use the opportunity to incorporate technology into the lesson. Allow the children to research their authors to see if there is a website and email address available. Prior to arranging this activity, make sure that all of the authors of your students' books are still living.
When your students have all been assigned the same book to read, write questions related to that book on a beach ball. Make sure the questions are opened ended. For example, "Why do you think Tommy was angry?" or "How would you feel if what happened to Jenny happened to you?" Have your students stand in a circle and toss the ball back and forth to each other. Each student will answer whatever question his right thumb lands on. The open ended questions make it possible for different students to answer the same questions.
After your students have finished a book that was assigned to the entire class, write various scenes from the book on pieces of paper and fold them. Divide your class into groups of three or four and have each group choose one of the papers. Each group will then have to create the scene. They assign the parts, write the scripts and create the necessary props. Give the students a few class periods to organize their mini-plays and then have them act it out in front of the class.
Dioramas have been used for years and for good reason. They allow students to imaginatively recreate scenes from their books. Dioramas are created in a shadow box style, usually a shoebox turned on its side. Encourage your students to get creative with their supplies. The fewer restrictions they have, the more diverse their dioramas will be. Some possible materials are clay, felt, Legos and construction paper. Have the students explain the scene to their classmates and then display them around the classroom. You will get the most diversity if you use this activity for books the students have chosen on their own.