Here are some activities to extend learning and make reading even more fun!  After reading a story:

• Make puppets of the main characters in the book and retell the story or make up a new story with the puppets.
• Create a board game using facts and details from the story.  If you make a generic board, you can reuse it for future homemade games. 
• Choose 3-5 key words from the story.  Draw a picture and write a sentence about each word.
• Make a snack that could be connected to the story.
• Imagine what 2 characters from different stories might discuss if they ever met.  You could make puppets of the characters to portray this.
• After reading a historical book, search for museums to visit that would connect to the story.
• Create a diorama.
• Make a character map.  Draw a circle, write a character’s name inside it, and then write words describing the character radiating out form the circle.
• Compare 2 characters using a Venn Diagram or compare a character to yourself.
• Write a different, original ending to the story.