We often use reader response journals. There are a number of different topics you can use in a reading response journal:
- Copy down a quote from a character and tell why you think it’s meaningful.
- Ask questions about things that confuse you or that you wonder about.
- Describe your feelings about the events.
- Describe your feelings about characters.
- Copy down a quote from a character and tell why you think it’s meaningful.
- Describe your favorite part.
- Make a prediction about what will happen next.
- Tell how you would react if you were one of the characters in the story.
- Describe a part that surprised you.
- Does the author use any strong imagery in the story (similes, metaphors, etc.)? Give examples.
- Write a letter to the author or a character.
- Draw pictures or create graphic organizers.
Below is a list of prompt starters:
General Observations
- I noticed…
- I was really surprised…
- What I found interesting…
- The author is saying…
Preference
- I like the way…
- I didn’t/don’t like…
- My favorite part…
Element of the Text is Unclear
- I didn’t understand…
- A question I have…
- I’m guessing that…
- Something new I learned…
- I felt _______ when…
Discuss Surprising Element
- I couldn’t believe…
- I never thought…
Hypotehtical Thinking and Predictions
- If I were [character]…
- What I think will happen is…
- What I thought would happen was…
- I think _____ will become important because…
- I began to think…
- I predict…
Personal Connection to Past Experience
- This reminds me of…
- I began to think of…
- I know the feeling…
Imagining
- I can picture…
- I can imagine…