Third Grade Reader's Wheel
Beginning this semester, Reader’s Wheel will be changing. To make reading more enjoyable and individualized for our students, I will be meeting with each child to complete a reading growth plan. We will discuss what the student would like to read, and make a goal for the 9 weeks. If the reader’s wheel is something that your student enjoys, it might be part of their goal, however, if your student wants to read a series that could be their goal as well. As we fill out reading plans I will be sending them home for you to look at and sign. Students will keep a copy in their data notebooks with a reading log to track their progress. Students will also create a book list that they can take to the library to guide them when checking out books.
To go along with this change, students will no longer be required to turn in reader’s wheel products each week. If this is something that is helpful to your child and they would like it to be a part of their goal however, products will still be available to them. I will periodically ask students to write me a letter discussing what they are reading. In this letter they can tell me their thoughts on the book, if they enjoy this genre, and questions they might have. I feel this will allow me to really see how the students are thinking as they read, and give each student a more individualized and enjoyable approach to independent reading.
Please feel free to contact me with any questionsJ
Reader’s Wheel Product Ideas
1. Write a letter from one character to another character.
2. Write the first paragraph (or two) for a sequel. Outline what would happen
in the rest of book.
3. Write a new conclusion.
4. Write a new beginning.
5. Make a diorama and explain what it shows.
6. Make a diorama showing the setting or a main event from the book.
7. Make a new jacket with an original blurb.
8. Use e-mail to tell a reading pen pal about the book.
9. With another student, do a pretend interview with the author or with one
of the characters.
10. Cut out magazine pictures to make a collage or a poster illustrating the
idea of the book.
11. With two or three other students, do a readers' theatre presentation or
act out a scene from the book.
12. Keep a reading journal and record your thoughts at the end of each period
of reading.
13. Write a book review for a class publication.
14. Find a song or a poem that relates to the theme of your book. Explain the
similarities.
15. Draw a comic-book page complete with bubble-style conversations showing
an incident in your book.
16. Write a paragraph telling about the title. Is it appropriate? Why or Why
not?
17. Decide on an alternate title for the book. Why is it appropriate? Is it
better than the one the book has now? Why or Why not?
18. Make a travel brochure inviting tourists to visit the setting of the book.
What types of activities would there be for them to attend?
19. Write a letter to the main character of the book.
20. Make three or more puppets of the characters in the book. Prepare a short
puppet show to tell the story to the class.
21. Write a description of one of the main characters. Draw or cut out a
picture to accompany the description.
22. Dress up as one of the characters and tell the story from a first person
point of view.
23. Rewrite the story as a picture book. Use simple vocabulary so that it may
be enjoyed by younger students.
24. Write a diary as the main character would write it to explain the events
of the story. Diary must have at least 3 entries. 25. Describe the problem or conflict existing for the main character in the
book. Tell how the conflict was or was not resolved.
26. Make a mobile showing pictures or symbols of happenings in the book.
27. Make a collage representing some event or part of your book.