| Text Connections | |
|---|---|
| Text to Text | Connection that reminds you of something in another book or story |
| Text to Self | Connection that reminds you of something in your life. |
| Text to World | Connection that reminds you of something happening in the world. |
The Stories Julian Tells is a great book for young readers because many of the stories are relatable to children. The small chapter book is loaded with many different life experiences: losing your first tooth, growing a garden, or making a friend. Students can easily make text-to-self connections throughout the book.
In this activity, students will create a storyboard showing some of the text-to-self connections they made throughout the book.
Here is an example:
Text: "My father is a big man with wild black hair. When he laughs, the sun laughs in the windowpanes. When he thinks, you can almost see his thoughts sitting on all the table and chairs. When he is angry, me and my little brother, Huey, shiver to the bottom of our shoes.”
Self: My dad is a big man with wild grey hair. He also has a big booming laugh, but when he is angry I know to stay away from him.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows connections you have made with The Stories Julian Tells.
Encourage students to relate events in the book to real-world issues or events. Text-to-world connections help students see literature’s relevance beyond their own lives.
Guide students to identify themes like family, friendship, or honesty in 'The Stories Julian Tells.' Connecting themes to the world builds context and understanding.
Ask students if anything in the story reminds them of news stories, community events, or cultural celebrations. This helps them draw parallels between fiction and real life.
Provide charts or Venn diagrams for students to visually link book events to world events. Visual tools make abstract connections concrete and accessible.
Invite students to present their text-to-world connections and explain their thinking. Class sharing fosters deeper understanding and multiple perspectives.
Text-to-self connections in The Stories Julian Tells are moments when students relate events or characters from the book to their own lives. For example, a child might connect Julian's experiences with their own feelings about family or friendship.
Encourage students to reflect on their own experiences while reading. Ask guiding questions like, “Have you ever felt like Julian?” or “Does this remind you of something in your life?” Using a storyboard activity can help them visualize and describe these connections.
An example is comparing Julian’s description of his father to a student's own father. For instance, Julian says his father has wild black hair and a big laugh. A student might connect this to their own dad’s appearance or behavior.
Text connections help students deepen comprehension by relating stories to their own lives, other books, or the world. This makes reading more meaningful and encourages higher engagement with the material.
Use creative tasks like storyboards, journals, or group discussions. Ask students to draw or write about times they felt like the characters. These activities help reinforce the concept of connecting personal experiences to the text.