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As teachers, one of our most critical jobs is to create independent readers. Getting kids excited about books is the first and most crucial step on this journey. The more passionate students are about books, the more they read, and the more they read, the better they get. Making book commercials-or persuasive pieces to inspire their peers-is one great way to help students share their excitement about books with each other and create a community of passionate readers.

"Reading isn't generally considered a dynamic activity, but students who participate in a StoryWalk get to not only hear a great story but stimulate parts of their brain that are normally at rest when they sit down with a book. Instead of snuggling up in a cozy reading spot, readers are presented with colorful pages from an illustrated book, displayed one-by-one on stakes as they stroll along an indoor or outdoor walking path. Readers are able to take their time and reflect on the subtle nuances of the story, make inferences about what may happen next, and have co-constructed conversations with any walking partners."

"When kids get to regularly pick reading material that genuinely interests them, they are far more likely to be happy, voluntary, and even voracious readers-both in school and at home."

"Developing independent readers means nurturing the conditions for passion and independent thinking to flourish."

"Much like reading comics can get a reluctant reader interested in a story, creating comics can be a great way to get reluctant writers to put pencil to paper (or digital ink to digital paper). Over the years I've had history students create comics to tell stories from the Lewis & Clark expedition, to illustrate letters written by American Civil War soldiers, to create modernized dialogues between historical people, and to try their hands at crafting political cartoons. "

Literature response strategies targeting middle school for individual participation.

"25 great ideas from teachers -- ideas that are sure to get kids across the grades excited about reading."

"StoryMap JS is a free tool that students can use to create a story map in a manner similar to Google's My Maps or the old Google Tour Builder. It is much easier for new users to master.  StoryMap JS enables students to tell stories through a series of slides that appear on a map. Each slide is matched to locations that you choose on your map. Each slide in your story can include images, text, and hyperlinks. "

Outlines several different dramatic responses to literature including reader's theatre

Using Pourquoi Tales to Foster Logical Reasoning A pourquoi (French for "why") is a terrific way to cultivate problem-solving and divergent thinking-core skills of logical reasoning-in the student learning framework. Logical reasoning is associated with the capacity to generate alternative ideas, and pourquois involve creating alternative ideas to explain a natural phenomenon in the world (e.g., why stars shine at night or how zebras got stripes).

Selection of sample book trailers promoting Australian children's literature from a selection of creators including publihser's and children. Links to photo sources and a small selection of supporting documentation.

Having students create trailers instead of giving traditional presentations opens up the modes and media students use to communicate. Students can use images, motion or special effects, a recorded soundtrack, and print text to share their thinking, their interpretations, and their critiques of the books they read. Garret and his peers call this "layered writing," as meaning comes through the mixing of multiple modes as opposed to through a single one.

This article offers a collection of interactive activities that help kids become more involved in the stories that they read.

An instagram account with a series of images of 'boxes' featuring a book surrounded by representative elements. Alternative idea for responding to literature.

Student lesson plan on creating Book Bento Boxes including guidelines, use of Thinglink to add annotations to images along with a tutorial

Instagram is an excellent platform to practice digital communication and curation on a global scale. While a typical research project may be read and critiqued by teachers, peers, and parents, a series of thoughtfully curated Instagram posts have the potential to be discussed and praised by a much broader audience.

"I love having students discuss the books they've read and enjoyed. They are empowered by taking ownership of, and pride in, their reading. And their peers benefit from hearing about titles they could add to their "Want to Read" lists."

"As a school librarian collaborating with classroom teachers is a key component to our role in the school community. Collaboration can come in many forms, but the goal is to move past just the curation of resources. The focus is on connecting the library and classroom curriculum to provide authentic learning opportunities for students. Below is a mini-project that was developed alongside the third-grade teachers to teach figurative language. "

"In this routine, students are generally recording their thinking at each step along the way before moving on to the next one. Decide whether sharing of thinking will happen in small groups or as a whole class. Document the main threads that permeate the discussion of the whole class, particularly noting the differences in viewpoints."

"Here are five tools that students can use to create and tell stories with maps."