Synopsis: Students will check their understanding (comprehension) of various narrative texts by creating a "fortune" game focusing on answering questions about the setting, conflict, solution, plot, beginning, middle, climax, and characters. Comprehension is a very important literacy skill students need to master.
Materials: Paper in the shape of a square and a writing utensil
Directions: Using the origami link, follow the directions on how to fold the paper to create the template of the fortune. On the four outside flaps, either color each one an individual color or place random numbers 1-20. Fold all corners to the center so you have eight tabs facing you. Label each tab with the following (one word on each tab): setting, conflict, solution, plot, beginning, middle, climax, and characters. Flip those tabs over and on the corresponding tab, create and write a question that pertains to that topic from the book. When created, play with a partner to check for understanding!
Synopsis: When reading narrative texts, there will be at least one character if not more. Sometimes it is hard to keep all the characters straight. This activity called Character's Page will help students check for comprehension by answering questions pertaining to the character and drawing the character how each student sees fit. This worksheet also helps students with the comprehension strategy of drawing conclusions.
Materials: Worksheet, writing utensil, and crayons/colored pencil.
Directions: Pick a character from a fictional text and complete the worksheet answering the following: what is the character's problem?, what do you know about the character?, how did the character solve the problem?, how did the character change over time?, and what traits does the character have? After answering all the questions, students can draw the character how they interrupted from descriptions in the story.
Reading Taco
Synopsis: Who doesn’t love tacos? Reading Taco allows students to create a paper version of a taco to check for comprehension from fictional texts. While making their tacos, students are reviewing the setting, characters, plot, and important events.
Materials: Paper plate, brown construction paper cut to represent the meat, green construction paper cut to represent the lettuce, red construction paper cut to represent the salsa, and yellow construction paper cut to represent the cheese, stapler, and writing utensil.
Directions: Fold the paper plate in half to look like a moon; on the outside of the plate write the name of fictional text the taco is about. Pass out the cut construction paper. On the brown piece have students write important events from the story, on the green piece write the characters, on the red piece write the setting, and on the yellow write the plot of the story. Once finished writing on all the pieces, have students place the construction paper in the paper plate and staple it to look like a taco.
Read and Roll
Synopsis: Comprehension can be checked through various activities. Instead of the teacher having students do the same exercise, students can roll a dice to complete a comprehension task. The tasks can range from writing a letter to the author, retelling important parts of the story, illustrating a part from the story, comparing and contrasting events, creating a movie poster for the book, and creating an alternative ending to the book.
Materials: Dice and Read and Roll Worksheet
Directions: Each student will roll a die and complete the corresponding activity from the worksheet. If time permits, the students will doll again and complete another activity. The worksheet activities will be used for each unit; therefore, students will complete a different comprehension activity each day.
Catch the Question
Synopsis: Comprehension of fictional text activities can get repetitive and boring. Catch the question spices things up and puts a fun twist on checking for comprehension. Using a beach ball, students will literally catch a comprehension question and answer it to the class.
Materials: Beach ball, sharpie marker, and list of questions.
Directions: On the beach ball, write comprehension questions from the story on it. Questions can focus on what happened at different parts of the story, what the setting was, who the character were, what was the main problem, etc. Once the ball is made, have students sit in a circle. Students will take turns throwing the ball to each other, what ever question the student’s thumb lands on, he/she answer. Repeat until all students have a turn to answer the question.