In using arts and crafts to respond to literature, students have the opportunity to translate and synthesize their reading experiences into other media. Middle school students, who learn best by doing, are very motivated to work in media other than print (e.g., drawing, sculpting, and design). Encouraging students to respond through the arts provides students with different learning styles, talents, "intelligences," and strengths for the chance to excel.

Check out the sites below for more information on using arts and crafts for responding to literature.

Mrs. Lee's Literary Compendium—Online Units displays her students' art. Check out Beowulf and the Harry Potter Fair for a range of artistic responses to literature using posters.
www.gretchenle.com/online_units/online_units.html

See also her art suggestions for responding to poetry at gretchenle.com/online_units/groupproj.html#anchor1083538

Classical Poetry Pages displays an unusual combination of great poetry with classical painting. Challenge your students to do the same.
poetrypages.lemon8.nl/index.htm

Monster & Myths: Sculpts—Mythology Creatures illustrates a myth lesson for grades 6-8. Students create masks representing different Greek gods they have read about in their mythology unit.
www.teachnet-lab.org/is24/llangsner/monstersculpts.htm

Matrix of Examples—WebQuests showcases Language Arts projects that respond to literature using art and other media. Be sure to see Geometry Meets Poetry and Setting and Harry Potter for units that have students use art to respond to literature.
webquest.sdsu.edu/matrix/6-8-Eng.htm

Still More Novel Ideas Reading Plans offers 5th and 6th grade teachers ideas for using drawing, graphics, arts, and crafts.
www.teachersdesk.org/reading_plans.html

Geometric Character Analysis asks students to represent and group literary characters as they relate to one another using geometric shapes.
www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/actbank/sgeometri.htm