Reading Response Journal

 

Directions:  You are to select eight “different” entries from the attached list to answer in your journal. Journals will be collected every two weeks and will not be accepted late. Feel free to turn it in early to earn an extra 10 points.

1.     Choose a character you liked and then create sentences based on the alphabet scheme that demonstrates your knowledge of the character.  For example this is an example of an alphabet scheme for a character named, Sheba.  S stands for the stubborn part of her character.  H is for the hurt she experienced in the past.  E stands for the endless affection she displays.  B stands for the burgers she likes to eat.  A stands for Amy, her best friend.

 

2.     Think about events that happened in your novel.  Decide which scenes or picture from the novel a character would want to remember. Then draw two of these “photos” for the album. Use markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.

 

3.     Create a comic strip based on the book. Be sure to color it in.

 

4.     Write a poem about the novel.

5.     Create a diary entry for the main character’s point of view.

 

6.     Write a letter to one of the characters in the novel.  Ask him/her questions themselves and tell something about yourself.

 

7.     If you could change places with one of the characters, who would it be?  Why? Use specific examples from the novel to support your answer.  Stating you would exchange places with someone because she is nice is not acceptable. State something she did in the novel that you thought was nice.

 

8.     Explain which character you like most and why. Use specific examples from the novel to support your answer.  What specifically did this character do that made you like him/her.

 

9.     Choose a familiar tune, such as Mary Had a Little Lamb, and change the lyrics so they pertain to the novel.

10.   Compare/ Contrast one of your novels with another that you have read.  Explain how the two are alike or different. Use specific examples to support your answer.

 

11. Re-design the front and back cover of your novel.  Include the title, author and a brief summary on the back. Use construction paper and attach it to your journal.

 

12.    Develop and award for your novel,( certificate, trophy, medal).  Use construction paper to design it. On the award, explain the criteria for the award and why this novel was selected to receive it.

13.     Write about either the most boring part of the book or the most exciting. Use specific examples from the novel.

14.  Create another character for the story. Tell how things would change with this character’s presence.

15.   If you had written this novel, which part would you have written differently and why? Use details from the novel to support your answer.

16. Explain which character you would be most interested in having over your house. Use details from the novel to support your answer.

17.  Explain which character would make a good friend. Why? Use details from the novel to support your answer.

18.     Write about one problem in the novel and how it was solved. Was it a good solution? Why or why not? Explain.  What would you have done differently, if anything? Use specific examples from the novel to support your answer.

19.     Explain your thoughts on what may have motivated the author to write this novel.  Explain in detail. Use examples from the story to support your answer.

20.   Draw a picture of your favorite part of the story.  Add a caption explaining what is happening in your picture.

21.  Pretend you are a character from your story Think about where this character’s favorite place would be.   Draw a picture of this favorite place and write a brief description explaining why it is his/ her favorite place.

22.   Choose one character from the story.  Think about what the character was like at the beginning of the story.  Write about how the character has changed by the end of the story/ Explain the events that led up to the changes.

23.    Make a bookmark out of construction paper that illustrates the story. Write the title and the author on the front along with an appropriate picture.  Using a THESAURUS, on the back of the bookmark, write five words that you would use to describe the story. The words MUST be spelled CORRECTLY!

24.   Write lyrics to a song about the novel. ( For extra credit, sing or rap it to the class).

25.   Make a word search puzzle or crossword puzzle using at least 10 vocabulary words from the novel. You must include an answer key and use graph paper to create the word search.  Lined paper will not work.