Prepare your students to analyze and respond to literature by practicing five types of responses: predictions, questions, clarification, connections, and opinions.

How can you see what your students are thinking while they read? Try reading response letters in your class. Students will practice formatting letters and learn to discuss their thinking about literature in writing.

In fifth grade, students are expected to analyze complex texts on a deeper level. Teach your students to use close reading strategies, like rereading and annotation symbols, to dive deeper into fictional texts.