Responding to Literature Chapter 4
"Don't forget that a book is a private contract between a writer and a reader. Don't try to force another reader to share your contract. And above all, don't kill the joy." Katherine Paterson
Reader Response
Interaction in Readers' Minds
Highly Idiosyncratic Experiences Interests Preferences Development Literacy skills and motivation
Responses Shaped by Social Contexts
Social Context Peers Teacher expectations Culture Transactional Response Theory
Teaching from a Transactional Perspective
Teacher's Role Not ONE correct response Encouraging aesthetic & efferent reading for personal reward Activities for deepening response
Caution Book reports and fill-in-the- blank worksheets: Do these fit your goals? Consider tossing them out or revising them.
Dictated Response
Oral Response
Retelling / Storytelling
Book Talks
Book Discussions
Choral Speaking
Puppetry
Art and Music
Similar Media / Style In the style of Smoky Night
Similar Media / Style In the style of Eric Carle
Graphic Organizers
Sketch-to-stretch
Other Ways... Drama & Dramatization Pantomime Reader's Theater
See the CD-ROM which came with this text for: Searchable database of children's literature Author and illustrator profiles Visit the COMPANION WEBSITE for: Children's literature websites for students