Extension Activities

Check out this important resource. I gathered a great deal of my information on this page from it.
http://www.educationworld.com
How: Show, Lead, and Excite! 
Model activities, clarify and be a facilitator that offers guidance during the activities.


Why?
Librarians and Teachers can support reading by using extension activities.
Supporting students includes extension. Here are some extension activities that can increase interest, motivation and learning.

• The following activities appeal to many different learning styles.
• Many of the ideas involve making choices, organizing information
• Most of the ideas will provide teachers/ librarians with a clear idea about whether students actually read  and understood about the book.
• And all the ideas will engage students, help make books come alive for them, and challenge them to think in different ways about the books they read

Pre-reading activities- Students close there eyes and visualize a short section of the plot as the librarian/teacher reads aloud. Then, they take up to 5 minutes to sketch with a partner in graphic novel format what they thought they "saw" and heard. Compare and contrast with the actual graphic novel in small group setting. If students create images that do not fit the words, help them question their images and adjust them. (This is another effective comprehension strategy.)
Surfing the Net: Where did the story take place? When did it take place? Each student surfs the Net to find 4 Internet sites that others might check out before they read the book so they will know more about the book's setting or time period.


A Few After Reading Activities:

• Create a readers theater script using dialogue in speech bubbles based on the graphic novel.
• Have students "tell" the story orally in pair share partners to recreate the plot of the graphic novel.
• SSR(sustained silent reading) collaboration with media  specialist and teacher.  Individual pleasure reading strengthens interest and skills.
• Script It! Each student writes a movie script for a favorite scene in a book just read. At the top of the script, the student can assign real-life TV or movie stars to play each role. The student might also work with classmates to perform the favorite scene.
• Model and conduct book talks. Have students give them for American History GN.
• Sequencing: Make a traditional timeline with as a whole class activity or create an Imovie/ Photostory
• Create a concept web (using kidspiration software) or a hand drawn one. Connect "big picture" with other related ideas.