Reading Response Activities For Any Book, Novel or Short Story

These differentiated reading response printables work with any book and will encourage your students to review and reflect on their reading material in imaginative and creative ways.

The activities are differentiated into a total of 24 activities: 12 brief and 12 more extended tasks (making them suitable for a variety of grades and ability levels) and are self explanatory for students to complete meaning no preparation needed from you! Students could select their own tasks or they can be chosen for them as a class activity. These would also make great homework tasks too if you’re ever stuck for ideas!

Resource includes:
• “What’s Happening?” – summarize the book at regular intervals of reading.
• “Thought Bubble” – reflect on what they think a character is thinking at certain stages in their book.
• “Facebook Status” – reflect on what Facebook statuses a character would post.
• “Blurb Book Cover” – before reading a book, students draw a cover of the book based purely on the blurb.
• “Predict It” – predict what might happen next at stages in the book.
• “I’m Curious…” – consider what questions they would like answering at stages during the book.
• “Map It Out” – draw a map of how they imagine the setting of the book to be.
• “Evidence It” – find evidence of a description of a person or place in the book.
• “Chat About It” – peer discussions
• “Theme Tune” – write lyrics / poem for a theme tune which would suit the book.
• “Text the Character” – write a text to a character in the book.
• “Comprehension Questions” – peer questioning
• “Character Monologue” – write a monologue for a character.
• “Newspaper Article” – write up an article based on a big event in the book.
• “Dear Diary” – write a diary as if they were the character.
• “Write a Letter” – write a letter posed as a character to another person in the book.
• “Facebook Profile” – create a Facebook profile all about a character in the book.
• “Hot Seat” – peer questioning and answering for a character in the book.
• “Poem” – creative poetry based on the book (taking into consideration any symbolism or key themes).
• “Write to the Author” – what would students want to say to the author.
• “Storyboard” – create a film trailer summarizing key points in the book.
• “Book Review” – review the book for other students.
• “Freeze Frame” – visualize a key scene and draw it.
• “Before / After” – reflect on how things developed in the book.

These can be used for a variety of age groups and abilities and requires no preparation from you at all, simply print and go! Instructions are on each worksheet and students can be as thorough and creative as they like depending on their ability.

Effortlessly pick and choose some or all of the activities for your classes or allow them to choose their own! You could even set some for homework if you like.

These would also work as great summer packets for home school or summer projects for your teens to encourage reflection on their reading material.