Children love to play dress-up, and there is no better way to create a memorable literature project than to have them dress up as the characters and present the story as a short play. If doing a full play of the story is not an option, have the students stand and give a brief synopsis of their character and what happens to the character in the story. Discuss the story together from the perspective of each character, and ensure that everyone understands the story.
After you select a work of literature, go through it and make a list of any words or concepts that may be difficult for your students to understand. Together, define the words and concepts and how they fit into the story. Assign each student to write a brief story, perhaps a paragraph or two, incorporating those words. Time the writing exercise, and at the end of the allotted time collect the stories and vote as a class on the best story that correctly incorporates the words from your list.
If your literature is set in a historical period, make a timeline for that period. Have your students cut out pictures illustrating clothing, tools, furniture, toys, architecture and other period items, and place them on the timeline. Discuss how the way of life during that period affected people's thoughts and actions. Discuss how society viewed ideas, relationships and manners and how that affected the characters in the story as well as the outcome of the story.
Have your students research the author of your literature and write a brief synopsis of his life and what influenced him to write. Have each student compile a booklet with his information (birth/death dates, place of birth, education, literary works and important life events) and include pictures of the author, his birthplace or other significant locations or events. Include a summary of the story and the main theme. Together, determine what his goal was in writing the story and what he wants you as the reader to take away from the story, and conclude the booklet with personal thoughts and applications from the story.