Here's a general idea of how we teach literature. For ideas specific to a particular book, see our FREE creative teaching ideas for 50+ great books.
First, read the book and keep an eye out for story props.
Have the kids read (or listen to) the book first, sort of like a book club; that way they’ve read the book “just for fun,” without an assignment in mind. If possible, that’s ideal. It’s hard to get caught up in the pleasure of a story when you’re supposed to be looking for something academic in it at the same time.
If that’s not possible, you can assign chapters to your kids and stop to do relevant projects and worksheets along the way.
Either way, you yourself will want to read the book ahead of time–for pleasure, without an assignment in mind! Once the story’s in your head and heart, you’ll understand the intent of the activities in this guide, and “what to do when” will jump out at you.
As you read, keep an eye out for items from the book you might like to collect and share, and ask your kids to do the same. (You’d be surprised how many things might be hiding in plain sight. Grandparents, garages, attics, and junk drawers sometimes yield the greatest treasures.) A table of props pulled “straight from the story” can lead to all sorts of wonderful discussions and wide-eyed, “aha!” moments. Props that are unique to the setting, help kids understand “what that was like,” and props that are symbolic of takeaway topics make big ideas visual and tangible.
Here’s a suggested agenda for a 3-hour "field trip" through a great book. Do it all at once or over weeks—whatever works for you.
SET THE TONE. First, take the pressure off while establishing guidelines.. In our workshops, we say “The only thing we ask is courtesy; there’s no criticism or grading, and no wrong way to do something. We only encourage, and any reading aloud is voluntary.”
INTRODUCE THE AUTHOR. Next, introduce the author through the biography video provided, to pay tribute to the story’s creator and recognize how his/her life story shows up in the book. Most of our printables sets include a note-taking worksheet to go with that video introduction.
FIND THE SETTING. Get your bearings before you set off! Cover the setting, with our geography worksheet and audiovisuals.
INTRODUCE THE ARC. Give a brief overview of the concept of the narrative arc (on the StoryLines worksheet), assuring the kids we’ll go through it in detail together.
If kids brought something from the story to share, ask them ahead of time to raise their hand when we’ve reached the part in the arc when that item shows up. They listen all the more attentively for their moment to share
GET TACTILE. It's time to get hands-on! As you head off on our “field trip” through the arc, pause to do activities and worksheets at the relevant time in the story—usually, that's at whatever point the characters did that activity.
Timing: This means you're doing a new activity every 10-20 minutes, so things move quickly and the energy stays high. Of course, if your kids would benefit from a slower pace, by all means take your time. The point is to keep everyone relaxed and having fun—so they're better able to learn.
Teaching: Every activity connects to one or more Takeaway Topics, and provides natural launching points for discussion. Weave discussions of a relevant Takeaway topic into each project or activity, and use our Learning Links to add interest to those conversations. So the fun is packed into the learning and the learning is packed into the fun!
Audiovisuals: Look for moments to pop in an audiovisual — let’s hear that song! watch that Friesland horse run! — and offer kids a tactile, sensory engagement with a significant item, including food.
WRAP IT UP WITH A REWARD. Once you've gone through the narrative arc, reward everyone with a souvenir travel sticker, included in our printables set. (If there isn't one yet, we're working on it!) Kids like to collect our stickers to decorate a reading kit, like an old briefcase or suitcase that can hold a book, bookmark, glasses, snack, blanket, journal, pen, and whatever. The point is to prove they've been "there and back again."
If you have questions, reach out! But the truth is, if you’re having fun, you’re doing it right.