Continuing the conversation

I got a great suggestion from a teacher on the English Companion Ning. I asked about something better than reading guides because that is just about all my co-op and I did for "To Kill a Mockingbird." One of the teachers on the Ning recommended using dialogues to promote understanding. The example she used was "after reading the chapters with Mayella's and Tom's testimony, give the kids this:

Albert: "Mayella Ewell is lyin' trash!"

Hilda: "Actually, I feel sorry for her."

The students then continue this conversation, making Albert and Hilda explain their viewpoints with evidence from the text. Share these the next day at the beginning of class."

I never thought of anything like that! Sure it isn't fool-proof, but it's certainly better than questions on a reading guide. I know that reading guides serve a purpose and it is a great way for information to be in the same place, but doesn't it get old after a while? It does for me, that's for sure.