The Magic of Using Chapter
Book Series
in
Your Classroom
Non-Fiction Chapter Series? Yes!
Andrew Lost
(J.C. Greenburg)
Fun! Kinda gross science facts and stories:
“Like most people don't have adventures inside a dog's
nose or on the outside of a soap bubble.”
More Non-Ficton
Stephen and Lucy Hawking
Yes, the same Hawking who wrote
A Brief History of Time
Chapter Books- Why?
Engaging
 Skill Building
 More accurate predictions
 Character Loyalty:
Friends, familiarity, author’s style
Continuity
Comfort, especially for reluctant
readers
Kids anticipate what characters will
do



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
Anticipation of what is ahead!
“I love my book friend.”
“I get a good feeling reading
about her/him.”
“I can’t wait to see what
happens.”
With these familiarities, your
student can make a scaffold for
his/her own story writing!
Stronger Writers-How?




Plot devices help reader:
Summarize information
Make inferences
Draw conclusions
Plot structure stays the same even if:
characters, setting, goals are different.
Dragons of Wayward Crescent
Anticipation!
What’s in the Next Book?




Write a “wish list” synopsis
Predict plot
Introduce one new character
Create new environment
Adam Blake
For Developing Readers…

A copy for each child to follow as you read aloud

Recorded readings helpful for reinforcement

Classroom celebration at book’s (or series)end
Your
Series in the
Classroom
Intervention!
Gateway books help transition out
of a series
Kate Klise’s 43 Old
Cemetary Road
Good Scary Series in the
manner of:
Yes! Even With “The Tests” Looming!
Alexander Stadler
 Keep it personal-


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
Write a letter from a character’s head.
Let kids write questions to a character.
Write an alternate ending.
Write in a new character.
Take out a character.
Write a critique of the book.
Write a new plot for an additional book.
•
Create a board game based on characters and
events.
•
Make a travel brochure if applicable.
•
Do a puppet show based on favorite characters,
the books or something original about the book
that students create.
• Have students create a comic book.
• Students can make an activity bag
to share with friends/parents.
• Let students produce a play from
book or new events around the
book/s.
A Modest Suggestion Concerning
Evaluation…
Consider assessing the project as
an exam instead of students’
recalling facts about the book/s!
Children’s Classic Silver Award
2012
Children’s Classic Gold Award
2012
Released March, 2013
Great Websites for Kids!
http://gws.ala.org/content/teaching-books#.USJhXKSYbxY
http://www.ehow.com/info_8664017_chapter-reading-activities-thirdgrade.html#ixzz2NFAGlaVe
http://www.guardian-angel-kids.com/free-stuff.htm
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/student-activities
http://www.seussville.com/author.html
Word Problems
A Math Cross-Over
Instruct the students to take events from the story
and turn them into math problems. The numbers in
the word problems don't necessarily have to come
straight from the book. If the book mentions
geographical locations, allow the students to use
maps to create problems based on finding the
distance between two points. If your class is
struggling with a particular math concept, you may
consider framing the assignment so that all of the
questions must include that concept.
A Great Activity for Comprehension and
Cognition
Book Bingo
Each student receives a bingo card on which to record the
books he has read. The squares of the card contain a
variety of genres and series for students to choose from.
For instance, one square might state, "Read a book from
The Magic Tree House series," while another square might
say, "Read a book about submarines." The student colors
in the coordinating square when he finishes a task, and
then he receives a reward when he completes a row or a
column. This activity broadens students' exposure to a
variety of books.
Open-Mind Presentation
Connecting Events in the Book
An open-mind presentation helps students to relate to the
main character of a book, and it aids them in connecting
events that have happened throughout the story. Draw a
portrait of the main character. Cut out the portrait and
staple it to another piece of paper. Trace the outline of the
portrait on the blank paper. Inside the outline, write words
or draw pictures to illustrate the character's thoughts.
Include the main events, people or items that were
important to the character's development. Students can
share their open-mind presentations with the class to
discuss the words and pictures they chose.
What-If Stories
Prediction Possibilities!
After reading the novel, let your students write
paragraphs about what would have happened if
events had changed or if characters had made
different choices. They may use personal
experiences or their opinions about the book to
create their paragraphs. You might need to
brainstorm some initial scenarios as a class for
the students to expand on individually. What-if
stories help students to identify with the
characters and the storyline.
I can be reached at:
Website: http://www.nancystewartbooks.com
Blog: http://www.nancystewartbooks.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stewartnancy
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nancy.rosenthalstewart
Member: http://www.scbwi.org (Published and Listed)
Available Now: One Pelican at a Time: A Story of the Gulf Oil Spill, 18 weeks on
Amazon Bestseller in Children's Books, Amazon Hot New Releases, Amazon Most
Wished for in Children's Books, The Literary Classics Silver Award, 2012, Literary
Classics Seal of Approval, Global eBook Award Nominee, Readers Favorite 5 Star
Award (Guardian Angel Publishing, 2011)
Sea Turtle Summer: Amazon Bestseller in Children's Books, The Literary Classics
Gold Award, 2012, Literary Classics Seal of Approval, 2011 (Guardian Angel
Publishing, December, 2011)
Katrina and Winter: Partners in Courage: Amazon Bestseller in Children’s Books
(Guardian Angel Publishing, May, 2012)
Bella Saves the Beach (Guardian Angel Publishing, Marcy, 2013)
Forthcoming:
Mystery at Manatee Key: (Guardian Angel Publishing, October, 2014)