What if there were reading response organizers that were rigorous, differentiated, and flexible enough to be used with any lesson? And they were free!
Yes, you read that correctly; and you can get them right HERE.
I have been using a particular set of templates over the years that meet all those parameters. I keep an extra set of paper worksheets printed and ready to go. The digital version have their own folder in my Drive so I can find and share them in a few seconds.
If you limit your responses to a few standard organizers, you will be reducing the cognitive load of your students and allowing their brains to focus in on the specific content you are teaching. They will be able to respond in a deeper and more meaningful way because they will already be familiar with the template.
Although these organizers lend themselves to reading response, they can also be used during your math lessons or as a summative response. For example, students can be assigned a Memory Box or 3-2-1 Response after a field trip (virtual or in-person). Click over to the Best Virtual Field Trips for Your Elementary Classroom for field trip links!
Let me share with you my 5 "go to" response sheets:
FOR FICTION AND NONFICTION
5 Square Organizer
Some people refer to this as a 4 Square Organizer; despite the spot in the middle. However, the basic premise is that one particular topic or question is presented in the middle (or top) of the graphic organizer. Then, students use the 4 remaining spaces to input data, opinions, notes.
Ideas for a 5 Square Organizer:- Place a vocabulary word in the center and have students fill in the four remaining spaces with things related to the word such as: definitions, antonyms, synonyms, sentences, drawing/graphics, text citations. This would be applicable to math vocabulary, too!
- Put a character's name in the middle and have students cite details from the text that help them understand the character. These examples could be related to character traits or physical traits.
- Similar to starting with a charcter in the middle, you could start with a character trait in the middle. Ask students to cite examples in the text where a character demonstrates that trait.
- Name a text (or section of text) in the middle. Ask students to fill in the spaces using categories such as: People, Objects/Symbols, Vocabulary, Message/Theme, Problem/Solution, Cause/Effect, Favorite Part.
3-2-1 Response
This one is a classic. If you've been in teaching for a few moons, you've probably seen some variation of this response. Basically, it asks students to share 3 interesting words or people, 2 things they learned, and 1 question they still have.
When I assign this response I make sure to explain the expectations. For instance, no "repeat" of ideas and use complete sentences on the 2 and 1 response.
A 3-2-1 Response lends itself to some great post-lesson discussions. When I assign this as a digital response, I will oftentimes answer the question while grading the work. It's a nice opportunity to connect with students on an individual level. The "1 Question I Still Have" can also be used to start discussions the following lesson.
Memory Box
A Memory Box is about as flexibile a response as you can find. The basic idea is that students need to fill in the spaces with information from the text or lesson. Teachers can increase rigor by giving specific parameters for the Memory Box.
For math applications: have students write the different fact families for a given number. Or, ask them to describe the properties of a particular shape.
Way to increase rigor with a Memory Box:
- Require students to use complete sentences.
- Quote statements from the text and indicate if they are fact or opinion.
- State inferences from the text and cite the pages/quote that led to the inference.
- Describe cause and effect events within the text.
- Cite text evidence that demonstrates character traits for a given character, or give the students a character trait and ask them to find evidence of that trait in different characters.
FOR FICTION
Story Elements
This is a classic graphic organizer that helps students break down a story. It is loosely designed to mimic a 5 Square Organizer. The title of the text is written in the center of the page. The Characters and Setting are at the top, the Plot at the bottom. Plot can always be divided up using a Problem/Solution format.
Chapter/Section Summary Sheet
For a more detailed look at a chapter or section of text, teachers can have students fill out a Summary Sheet. This organizer asks students to fill in the chapter (or section) and explain what happened.
When students first start to fill in the "What Happened" section they can sometimes be very generic with their responses. I encourage students to sum up the section by sharing something from the beginning, something from the middle, and something from the end. That small bit of guidance gives students just enough direction to put together a quality summary.
In addition to those two basic parts, students are also asked to share what their thoughts are about the section and to then make a prediction! These two parts help students to make connections to text, consider their opinions about events, and to do a little bit of thinking about how events they have already read may impact events later on in the book.
The "My Thoughts" and "My Prediction" sections are usually the most challenging for students. Oftentimes, students will write very shallow and basic responses such as "I like it" or "It is good". It can take a bit of modeling to get them to internalize what they are reading, formulate their own specific thoughts, and convey them in writing.
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