Reading is a Picnic

Dollar Tree inspires another original center! I was buying paper plates for a party when I saw some plates that were designed with red and white checks...like a picnic blanket. I bought them, put them in a basket with a tablecloth, and added some books.  I switch out the books in the basket to reflect what subjects we are studying in literacy and Social Studies.  I use fiction books for this center.

Students select a book to read from the basket. After reading the book, they select three plates and answer the question found on each plate. On the record sheet, students write the number found on the backs of the plates. Depending on the students that are assigned to this center, I let them know if I want the answers written out or if they can discuss the answers orally.  I make this decision based on the student's ability level.

Here are the questions/activities that are written on the plates:

• Would you want to be friends with the main character? Why or why not?
• What part of the story did you like the most? Why?
• How would this story be different if it happened in winter?
• Pretend that after the story is over the characters go to sleep. What happens when they wake up the next day?
• Add a new character to the story. What is his/her name? How will the story change?
• Describe the main idea in 20 words or less.
• What could be a new title for this book?
• What is one event you would change in this story? How would you change it?
• Would you want the main character in this story to be in your family? Why or why not?
• Which character do you think you are most like? Why?
• Write a new ending to this story.
• How would this story be different if it happened at the beach?