Here are some ideas to use with your RIF kids:

Shel Silverstein's "Sick" Poem
Students will select what they believe to be the most important word in the text that they have been given to read. They will then justify their choice and give reasons for their choice by giving direct examples from the text. This activity can be duplicated with any text of any length from a multitude of other genres.

Target Age: Kindergarten to Third Grade

Time Frame: 45 minutes

Patricia Polocco's "Thank You Mr. Falker"
The purpose of this selection is to help students make personal connections to stories. This is done by reading the story aloud and offering engaging questions that require students to respond appropriately to the story in a personal way. This is a teacher led and modeled activity so it is important to take the time to familiarize yourself with the text and even other texts by Ms. Polacco since she writes all of her books from personal accounts of her own life.

Target Age: Third to Fifth Grade

Time Frame: 45 minutes