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by Jane Oh
Topics: Fifth Grade, Reading, Writing
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When your child thinks of literature, he probably thinks of hours spent alone, nose in a book. But reading is only one of many ways that literature can come alive for your child, and by responding to what they read, students can deepen their understanding, while also having some fun!

A response to literature is simply communicating what you think and understand about what you read. There are many ways to have your child respond to literature, including discussion, written expression, arts and crafts, and drama. By giving your child multiple opportunities to respond to literature in varied ways, he can construct a more personal meaning for himself. Here are some ideas to explore your child's responses to literature:

Writing

  • Write a different ending. By encouraging your child to reimagine the story, you are putting her in the shoes of the author, and giving her a taste of the creative power of writing.
  • Write a poem. Poetry is a wonderful way to let kids use their imagination, and express their thoughts and feelings in an unstructured atmosphere.
  • Complete an author study to get inside the head of the author. Where is she from? What other books has she written? What do you think inspires her, and what does she like writing about the most? Encourage your child to conduct research into his favorite author and draw conclusions about who that person is.
  • Write a song. Sometimes setting your thoughts to a tune can free your imagination. But what your child may not know is that composing lyrics involves working with meter, rhyme, and other important composition skills that will help her in every aspect of writing!

Arts and Crafts