Students write competently for a variety of audiences and purposes. The purposes of this presentation are to provide teachers with alternative ideas for literature response in the classroom and to explore the connection between reading and writing. Participants will examine and participate in a variety of literature-response activities, based on children's books. Students read, comprehend, and respond to a range of materials using a variety of strategies for different purposes. Students write competently for a variety of purposes and audiences.
Students read, analyze, and respond to literature as a record of life experiences.
The state and local districts are mandating norm referenced, criterion referenced, and performance based testing. Since the current trend of evaluation requires students to respond in writing rather than simply choosing the correct answer, teachers are looking for ways to improve higher level thinking skills in their students. Literature response goes beyond merely answering questions about a story, allowing for personal reflection and an opportunity to explore varying perspectives. The purpose of this presentation is for participants to experience literature response as a starting point for a written piece. Using children's literature as an inspiration for creative writing and Readers' Theater, participants will also analyze the significance of a character's point of view and integrate their findings into an original writing endeavor.