This collection presents techniques for tapping a broad range of literary sources to inspire young writers. Drawing upon poetry, folk tales, story jokes, and more, Literary Ideas walks students in grades 3-8 through the process of creating new stories and developing them as scripts for choral readings, readers theatre, and classroom plays. The process inspires creativity, problem solving, observation, and listening skills within a writing and theatrical framework. Includes the following: Poetry for Choral Readings Fairy Tales for Reader's Theater Folk Tale Plays Fairy Tale Alterations for Reader's Theater Fairy Tale Alterations for Plays Modern Fairy Tale Plays Story Joke Plays Poetry Plays Historical Plays Modern Cultural Myth Plays