Choice Power

Our class is currently doing a read aloud novel together.  After hearing the chapter(s) each day we do a reading response.  I have taught several different methods for the response.  The main one practiced most is retelling to a partner first then use the first, then, finally frame.  Additions to this have been a 3 panel comic with captions to do the first then finally, and things like diary writing as a character in the story.  Even though the kids are really enjoying the story the reading response is not all that well liked for several and can be difficult for some to complete.  Now that they all know how to do the  different kinds of responding I let them choose in what way they'd like to complete their response and suddenly engagement went up, complaining went down and their work improved.  Me thinks there is something to this choice stuff!