• Learning Logs, Literature Logs or Response Journals are often used to evoke responses to the literature. These may be used after the students have read a selection; students generally write their thoughts and reactions in a log or journal. These journals serve as the springboard for thoughtful discussions about the reading selection. For example, students may be reading silently several chapters from a Judy Moody book. Students would finish the reading and respond in their logs or journals. Then students would form small groups to discuss the literature, using their journal entries as the impetus for their conversations.

• These responses could be open-ended, or they could be the result of a specific prompt. Students should also be encouraged to jot down questions they want to ask or words to be clarified.

• Another option is for the teacher to guide students through the reading and then have students respond to the reading in their logs or journals. The following day, the teacher would begin the reading lesson by having students discuss their log or journal entry. This is an excellent way to review the reading completed the day before.

• Examples of open-ended questions are located in Gunning- pages 415 & 417. Other examples include:

1) What do you notice about the book/story? (Impressions)

2) What do you wonder about? (Wonderings)

3) How does the story make you feel? (Feelings)

4) What does the book remind you of from your own life? (Personal Connections)

5) What other books/characters does the book remind you of? (Literary Connections)

6) What special meaning or message does the book have for you? (Theme)

7) What was the most important part of the story?

8) What do you think will happen to ____________?

9) What is your favorite part of the story?

10) What else do you have to say about what we’ve just read?