 |
|
 |
| |
|
|
From Anne J.Arvidson
1.WRITE THE STORY IN THE BOOK FROM A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW.
Take an entire
story (or part of it) and write a version as someone else would
tell it.
2.WRITE THE DIARY A MAIN CHARACTER MIGHT HAVE WRITTEN. Imagine
you are the
person in your book. Write a diary for a few days or weeks as
she or he would
have done.
3.WRITE A CHARACTER SKETCH OF SOMEONE IN THE BOOK. This might
be the central
character or a minor supporting character in the story. Tell what
he looked
like, but also include favorite color, horoscope sign, sports
liked, and even
a bumper-sticker or a T-shirt.
4.REARRANGE A PASSAGE AS A "FOUND" POEM. Find a particularly
effective
description or bit of action that is really poetry written as
prose. Rewrite
it. Leave out words or skip a sentence or two, but arrange it
to create a poem.
5.WRITE A PARODY OF THE BOOK. This kind of humorous imitation
appeals to many
students. Parody the entire book or one scene.
6.WRITE A PROMOTION CAMPAIGN FOR A MOVIE ABOUT THE BOOK. This
could include
newspaper ad layouts, radio and television commercials, and any
special events.
7.WRITE A LETTER TO THE AUTHOR OF THE BOOK. While authors may
not have time
to respond to each letter they receive, they do enjoy letters
from their
readers - especially those that discuss the books in the reader's
own terms.
Send letters in care of the book publishers if you cannot locate
the author's
address in Who's Who, Current Biography, or other reference sources.
8.PUT TOGETHER A CAST FOR THE FILM VERSION OF A BOOK. Imagine
the
director-producer wants a casting director to make recommendations.
Decide
who would be the actors and actresses. Include photos and descriptions
of the
stars and tell why each is "perfect" for the part. Write
a report to convince
the producer of the selections.
9.WRITE A REPORT OF RELATED INFORMATION ABOUT ONE TOPIC OR
PERSON IN THE BOOK.
For example, research information about the trial of Benedict
Arnold, how the
covered wagons traveled, fishing off a particular island, and
so on.
91 Ways to Respond to a Book Page 2
10.MAKE A NEW BOOK JACKET. It should include an attractive
picture or cover
design, an original summary of the book, information on the author
and
illustrator, and information about other books by the author.
11.CONVERT A BOOK TO A RADIO DRAMA. Give a live or taped version
about the
story - or a scene from it - as a radio play. Include an announcer
and sound effects.
12.DO A DRAMATIC READING (READER'S THEATER) OF A SCENE. Select
the scene and
ask friends to help read it dramatically.
13.CONVERT A BOOK INTO A PUPPET SHOW. Make simple puppets (stick
puppets,
finger puppets, paper bag puppets, and so on) or complex puppets
(marionettes)
and present the story or an exciting scene from it.
14.DO A "YOU ARE THERE" news program reporting on
a particular scene,
character, or event in the book.
15.WRITE AND STAGE A TELEVISION SERIES EPISODE. Think of a
popular television
series that a book or part of it would fit. Then convert it to
that series
and give the segment before the class.
16.PREPARE A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL ABOUT A BOOK. Imagine a
book is the basis
for a miniseries on television. Prepare and give the television
commercials
that would make people want to watch it.
17.USE BODY MASKS AND PRESENT A SCENE FROM YOUR BOOK. Make
full-sized
cardboard figures with cutouts for the face and hands. Use them
to dramatize
the scene.
18.DRAMATIZE A SCENE FROM A BOOK WITH OTHER STUDENTS TAKING
PARTS. If
desired, use props and costumes. If the students know the story,
improvise
the scripts.
19.PLAY CHARADES BASED ON VARIOUS BOOK MEMBERS OF THE CLASS
HAVE READ. Review
standard charade signals. Divide into teams. Then have the students
draw
titles of books or the names of characters in the books, concentrating
on
those that have been most popular.
20.MAKE A SOAP OR PARAFFIN CARVING ABOUT AN EVENT OR PERSON
IN A BOOK. These
are inexpensive materials and soft enough so there is little danger
from the
tools used for carving.
91 Ways to Respond to a Book Page 3
21.MOLD PLASTER RELIEF DESIGNS. Pour plaster into a form over
various objects
and then antique or shellac them to make interesting displays.
22.MAKE LIFE-SIZED PAPER-STUFFED ANIMALS, PEOPLE, OR OBJECTS
FOUND IN A BOOK.
Cut out two large sheets of wrapping paper in the shape desired.
Staple the
edges almost all the way around. Stuff with crumpled newspaper,
finish
stapling, and paint.
23.MAKE HAND LOOMS AND WEAVINGS THAT PORTRAY A DESIGN IN A
BOOK. Almost
anything - from paper plates to forked sticks - will make a loom
when strung
with yarn, rope, or cord. Check art and craft books for directions.
Then use
the creations as wall hangings or mobiles.
24.CREATE BATIK DESIGNS WITH WAX AND OLD SHEETS OF TIE-DYE
MATERIAL. When dry
and ironed, use them for wall hangings, curtains, and costumes.
25.FASHION A MOBILE FROM ITEMS RELATED TO A STORY. The mobiles
add color and
movement to a room. Display them in the library, the cafeteria,
the
multipurpose room, or in the hallway.
26.MAKE A "ROLL-MOVIE" OF THE SCENES OR EVENTS OF
A BOOK. Put a series of
pictures in sequence on a long strip of paper. Attach ends to
rollers and
place in a cardboard box. Print simple dialogue to accompany the
frames.
27.MAKE AN ANIMATION OF A SCENE ON AN ADDING MACHINE TAPE.
To get animation,
draw a sequence of pictures with each one showing a bit more movement
than the
preceding one. When this is rolled quickly, it gives the appearance
of motion.
28.CREATE FILM STRIPS OF A STORY. Commercially produced materials
is
available with special color pens to make filmstrips.
29.PRINT A DESIGN FROM A STORY IN A BOOK USING A VARIETY OF
MATERIALS. Here,
too, the process may be simple or complicated. Use potatoes or
other raw
vegetables to carve and use. Or try plastic meat trays and silk-screen
prints.
30.IMPERSONATE A CHARACTER AND TELL AN EPISODE IN A BOOK. Dress
up as a
character and retell the story.
31.DISCUSS THE BOOK INFORMALLY WITH ONE OR TWO OTHER STUDENTS.
The reader
should choose two people he or she thinks might enjoy the book.
Find a quiet
corner to talk about it.
91 Ways to Respond to a Book Page 4
32.INTERVIEW A CHARACTER FROM A BOOK. Prepare questions to
give another
student. The reader assumes the role of the character in the book
and answers
the questions as that character.
33.CONDUCT A SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION. Several students who have
read a
particular book should get together and discuss it.
34.FOCUS A DISCUSSION ABOUT A PARTICULAR PERSON. Compare biographies
of
characters in historical fiction.
35.COMPARE VERSIONS OF THE SAME STORY. Contrast different versions
of one
story or several stories with similar themes.
36.HAVE A PANEL OR ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION ON THE SAME TOPIC.
Use one of the
bibliographies of books on a particular topic (death, loneliness,
handicaps,
heroes and heroines, and so on). Have the group present summaries
of their books.
37.PITCH A SALES TALK FOR A BOOK. Give everyone in the class
tokens, play
money, or straw votes. After the sales talk, take bids to get
the most for
the book.
38.INTERVIEW A BOOK'S AUTHOR. The reader becomes the author
and comes to
visit the class who in turn interviews him or her.
39.PORTRAY A BOOK CHARACTER. Ask another reader of the same
book to role play
a different character. The two characters can meet to talk about
themselves
and what has happened to them. This is especially appropriate
if they have
something in common: similar adventures, similar jobs, and so
on.
40.MAKE A TALKING DISPLAY OF A BOOK. Tape a dialogue or description
about an
event, scene, or character.
41.DRAW A SCALE MODEL OF AN ITEM IN A STORY. Making an object
from the story
to scale presents many challenges. For example, try a go-cart,
a match-lock
gun, or any other item.
42.COOK A FOOD MENTIONED IN YOUR BOOK. It is always fun to
share something to
eat. Please cook your recipe at home.
43.BUILD A RELIEF MAP OF THE SETTING OF THE STORY. Use clay,
sand, or papier-mache.
91 Ways to Respond to a Book Page 5
44.DESIGN AND MAKE YOUR OWN T-SHIRT OF AN ILLUSTRATION ABOUT
A BOOK. Create a
design, using color-fast marking pens.
45.CONSTRUCT A BUILDING FROM A STORY. Work together with others
to build an
item from the story that they have read also.
46.MAKE SOME COSTUME DOLLS FOR A DISPLAY OF CHARACTERS IN A
BOOK. Create
costume dolls and display them.
47.COMPLETE SCALE DRAWINGS OF ROOMS IN A BOOK. Use graph paper
with a set
scale and design places portrayed in a book.
48.LEARN TO PLAY A GAME MENTIONED IN A BOOK. Teach it to the
rest of the
class. (This might be an old-fashioned game or one from another
country.)
49.ASK OTHERS IN THE CLASS TO DESIGN AND CREATE SQUARES FOR
A QUILT. Depict
favorite scenes or characters. Then stitch/draw/paint the quilt
together.
The individual squares may be drawn with marking pens or done
in stitchery.
The quilt may be a wall hanging, a curtain for a private reading
area in the
room, or presented to the school as a class gift.
50.CONVERT THE EVENTS OF A STORY INTO A BALLAD OR SONG. Write
the lyrics and
music or adapt words to a melody by someone else.
51.MAKE A LITERARY MAP OF THE AUTHOR'S WORKS AND LIFE. Use
references,
biographical, and autobiographical materials (articles, books,
interviews) to
create an informative and colorful map.
52.INVENT WORD GAMES FOR YOUR BOOK. Create crossword puzzles,
word games, and
acrostics incorporating unfamiliar vocabulary words, characters,
and settings.
Distribute to the class.
53.COMPARE LIFE STYLES. As a group project, have the students
compare the way
of life in the book to present day living in their community.
This can be
presented in panel format. For example, the methods of transportation,
fashions, foods, customs, religious practices, types of government
can be
compared to their modern counterparts.
54.GROUP PERFORMANCE. Select a crucial scene from the novel
and have the
members of the group act it out. Have one member interrupt it
posing as a
reporter. Have him/her interview each character for an on-the-scene
"minicam" report.
91 Ways to Respond to a Book Page 6
55.THE WRITTEN WORD VERSUS THE VIDEO. Compare the book to the
movie or
television version of it. What aspects of the book have been altered
for the
visual performance and why? Do these alterations make the story
"better"?
Why or why not?
56.THE NOVEL OUTSIDE THE ENGLISH CLASS. Show how a historical
novel could be
used in a history class or how a science fiction novel could enliven
a science course.
57.RETURN TO THE FUTURE. Pretend that you are one of the characters
who has
"come back" 25 years after the novel has ended. Describe
your reactions.
58.WRITE OR ACT OUT A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN TWO OF THE CHARACTERS.
59.NOVEL COURT. Hold a "mock trial" to permit one
of the characters to defend
what he has done in some controversial scene in the book. Let
members of the
class deliberate as the jury and arrive at a verdict.
60.SILENT PLAYS. Have a group of students pantomime a scene
from the book.
Give special attention to movement and facial expressions to convey
the
meaning of the scene.
61.WRITE A SHORT PLAYLET BASED ON SOME CHARACTER OR EVENT IN
THE STORY. Be
sure to provide accurate and interesting stage directions.
62.PERSONAL TASTE. Select one character from the book. If he/she
were living
today, what kind of clothes, books, records, movies, etc. would
he/she select?
Why would he/she do so?
63.DESIGN THE FRONT PAGE OF A NEWSPAPER. Write a short news
story describing
the major event in your book. Include an attention grabbing headline
and
teasers for the rest of the paper.
64.WRITE A HUMAN INTEREST STORY ON ONE OF THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY.
65.WRITE AN EDITORIAL ON SOME CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE RAISED BY THE BOOK.
66.DESIGN A COMIC STRIP RETELLING SOME EVENT IN THE STORY.
This may be
expanded to tell the whole story of the novel as a comic book.
67.DESIGN A CHILDREN'S STORY RETELLING SOME EVENT IN THE STORY.
This may be
expanded to tell the whole story of the novel as a children's
book.
68.DESIGN A TIME LINE FOR THE EVENTS IN THE STORY.
69.DESIGN A DETAILED MAP OR MAPS FOR THE SETTING(S) OF THE BOOK.
70.DESIGN A BULLETIN BOARD TO STIMULATE CLASS INTEREST IN THE BOOK.
71.WRITE A LEGEND, FABLE, OR MYTH BASED ON SOME EVENT IN THE STORY.
72.PEN SOME POETRY. Write a limerick or a short poem about
one of the
characters or some event in the novel.
73.WRITE A BALLAD AND/OR MUSIC TELLING THE STORY. This can
be delivered/sung
to the class.
74.CREATE AN EYE-CATCHING POSTER. Choose a scene from the book
and cast it in
a poster which would attract potential readers or buyers to the
book.
75.FICTION OR REALITY. Choose a character who seems to have
realistic
experiences. Write about something similar that has happened to
you.
76.FUNCTION AS AN EDITOR. Treat the book as a manuscript and
rewrite the
pages (or chapter) you consider "weak". What needs to
be redone to make the
book stronger?
77.TRADING PLACES. Write a short paper explaining why you would
or would not
like to change places with one of the characters in the novel.
78.DESIGN THE ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE BOOK.
79.WRITE A PERSONAL LETTER TO ONE OF THE CHARACTERS YOU ADMIRE OR DESPISE.
80.CORRESPOND WITH ANOTHER CHARACTER. Pretend that you are
one character in
the book. Write a friendly letter to another character.
81.A CHARACTER IN SEARCH OF A JOB. As if you were a character
in the book,
compose a resume and cover letter for your character, who is applying
for a
job suitable for the character and the setting of the novel, Does
your
character have any references?
82.ONCE UPON A TIME. Write a fairy tale about some event or character in the book.
83.BE A MODERN ARTIST. Using various mediums, create a collage
that comments
on a particular theme or issue in the book.
84.CREATE A DOSSIER ON A CHARACTER. Pretend that you are a
foreign spy sent
to report on your chosen character. Compile into a secret file
general and
specific information regarding your character. Don't forget the
photo.
85.DESIGN AND PRODUCE A POSTCARD OR A SERIES OF POSTCARDS.
On one side
draw/paint/reproduce an appropriate photo and on the other side
compose a
message to me from one of the characters. There will be automatic
A's for the
best design, most intriguing message, most distant postmark, and
most
appropriate postmark (mail it to me from there!).
86.PUBLISH A YEARBOOK. Create a yearbook - alias annual, alias
classbook,
alias memory book - based on the people and events in your book.
Refer to a
real yearbook for ideas on layout and sections.
87.BE A LITERARY AGENT. Pretend you are a literary agent representing
the
author of your book. Write to Harry Decision, editor of young
adult fiction
at Bantam Books, explaining why you feel he should publish your
author's book.
88.COMPILE A SCRAPBOOK OR A MEMORY BOX. Choose one of the major
characters in
your book, and, as that person, put together a scrapbook or memory
box of
special memories and mementoes. Be true to your character.
89.DESIGN A TRAVEL BROCHURE. Illustrate and advertise the "world" of your novel.
90.THE FORTUNE COOKIE REVIEW. Explain why their messages, given
to each of
the novel's characters, are amazingly appropriate.
91.THE EDIBLE (CHOCOLATE?) REVIEW. Sir Francis Bacon said,
"Some books are to
be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some to be chewed and digested."
Ann Jarvis