Teachertested ideas to help kids respond to their reading with enthusiasm. Turning in the report serves as proof to the teacher that the student read the book and, hopefully, got something out of it. Make sure to check with your teacher if you have any specific questions about which book to choose or what they are looking for in your report. They want new ways to think about a piece of literature and new ways to dig into it. This book is a valuable resource for middle school teachers who want to use significant social issues such as race, class, and poverty to invigorate their teaching of literacy and communication skills. A quick web search will reveal that there are many ideas out there for creative book reports, but they are not all good ideas. In the books final chapter, foster reveals that ban the book report grew out of a yearlong pd project in two middle schools and writes. Students cut out a photocopied image of their subject and glue it in the middle. What makes a gripping novel is often that you dont know whats going to happen in the end. Fifty alternatives to the book report readwritethink. Book reports are a valuable tool for assessing students understanding of independent reading, but writing report after report can become rote for studentsand reading them can be equally tedious for educators. The container could be a plastic bag, a manila envelope, a can, or anything else that might be appropriate for a book.
Dec 10, 2018 explore newenglandteachs board book report alternatives. Take a look at these fun and effective alternatives to book reports and get your. The book reports i have enjoyed the most over the years are ones that originally reinterpret the book read. She has taught middle school, high school, and community college and has her masters degree and is currently working on her doctoral degree in teaching english.
Based upon a book you have just read, share a story about yourself that is related to an event or character that was in the book. Book reports for middle school students the writing center. Fifty alternatives to the book report diana mitchell students tire of responding to novels in the same ways. The fun, lowcost, hightech tool glogster allows students to combine images, graphics, audio, video, and text on one digital. Spice up those old book reports with some new, creative ideas. On one side of the cover, come up with 10 song titles that represent characters, events, or settings in the book. With several projects for each genre, this book will easily take you and your students through the school year.
Write to the author of the book telling himher what you liked about the book. Less creativebut sometimes very goodwere literal depictions o. Fun writing prompts for middle schoolers middle school writing skills are essential to building a solid educational foundation in children. Book reports need not be boring retellings of stories.
Here are 22 creative book report ideas designed to make reading more. To help reinforce the habit of regular writing, it is essential to show kids that writing in school can be fun. Book report ideas are complete with this free book report flip book. Students fill out a form answering basic questions about the book they were assigned to read. If its fiction, students can dissect plot, theme, and characters. Book report alternatives for middle school book representation. So, when the powersthatbe requested that our students write book reports, i just had to jump in or rather, i was volunteered. Courses taken and grades, extracur ricular activities and personal activi ties, and work experience.
Youll find a variety of ideas ranging from essaybased projects to artistic projects to. Students could choose to use audio only or take it a step further through the use of video, props, and costumes. Although these projects are designed for particular genres, they are flexible enough to be used with any genre and any book. Create an oldfashioned wanted poster for a character from a story or a historical figure. Work with your teacher to find new and creative ways to express your understanding of the story. Although this list is designed for middle school, many of the suggestions will work with both younger and older students. Completing your book project for middle school doesnt have to be a chore, make it interesting and fun. Creative alternatives to book reports lexia learning. Take a look at these fun and effective alternatives to book reports and get your students and. The road map will show important events from a particular period in history covered in your book in sequential order.
Draw and color the book cover, and place the book award ribbon on the cover. Fifty alternatives to the book report teaching ideas ncte. When kids find titles that are engaging, interesting, and thoughtprovoking, theyre hooked. Book projects instead of book reports literature, level. For this report you will create a timeline in the shape of a road map. Turn them into creative projects complete with artwork, technology applications, acting or writing. Beyond the book report a list of 35 ways to respond to reading. What can help you write book reports efficiently is the list of questions to direct your thinking and writing.
Make christmas cards hey, it will free up some of your time in december draw or arrange a bouquet of flowers to send a message to someone in the language of flowers. Most students have to write a book report at some time, and your choice of book can be the difference between an interesting and enjoyable assignment and one that takes forever and. This book reports on a national movement that seeks to raise up children from the. Asking students to create an alternative ending to a book one that makes sense pushes them to really demonstrate an understanding of characters and plot. A collection of downloadable worksheets, exercises and activities to teach book report, shared by english language teachers. Be book report pen pals and share book reports with children in another school.
In this alternative book report, students identify the elements of fiction in books they. Ten great creative book report ideas minds in bloom. Ten alternative book report ideas middle school books. Students select a book to read based only on its cover art. You may already do this by talking about books with friends. Page 1 of 2 hialeah gardens high school suggested secondary creative book report ideas 1. About katie sluiter katie sluiter is currently an 8th english teacher in west michigan. Have students describe the character using facts, figures, and a description. Fun, easy, creative ways for kids to make a book report. Teachers, your students will love this creative book report project for elementary kids. Make your reading project sizzle with these hot ideas. Link your experience to no more than four situations that occurred within the text. Book report alternatives for middle school education. Better than book reports teachers will find creative alternatives to the traditional book report that tap into student interests and creative writing in ban the book report.
After reading the book, they use an interactive tool to create a new cover for it. So, in recognition of childrens book week 2002, we are pleased to introduce the sequel to that popular article. How to choose a good book for a report middle school. If you love to read, at some point you will want to share a book you love with others. These will work for almost any book and are especially good when students are reading independent book selections. Middle school junior high book reports page 1 abcteach. Fun and creative book report ideas for middle school.
These engaging projects move beyond traditional book report formats and. Education world presents 25 ideas for you to use or adapt. Do your students grumble every time you mention the words book reports. Video tape oral book reports and then have the children take turns taking the video home for all to share.
See more ideas about teaching, middle school and middle school. If you notice big eye rolls or hear lots of groaning when you mention the words book reports, any of these 25 alternative bookrelated activities are the perfect. There are ways to finish your project that will show your enthusiasm and make your teacher sit up and take notice. Creative and critical thinking book interactions no tech necessary. I have never been a fan of the book report, the traditional listing of characters, settings, and plots. Make the process of writing a book report easy as abc. To prepare for this project, students first describe the beginning, middle, and. Representing a book in both word and picture form helps students synthesize. What are some creative book report ideas for middle school.
Just because youre writing a book project for your middle school class doesnt mean you have to stick to the standard report. Book reports for middle school great college essay. Public alternative schools and programs for students at. All told, the book includes 20 different possible assignments. See whats streaming, limit strong violence or language, and find picks your kids will love with common sense media plus. During my eight years in the classroom, i ruined at least two amazing literary works by assigning horrifically dull reading projects. The book report activity is meant to polish up the analyzing and creative senses in students and hence a must done. While this format is important in assessing understanding of literary elements, offering alternate bookreport formats encourages students to use creativity and other writing skills in presenting information about a book. Banned books week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. It is probably best done in the form of a written recount. Surely theres a better way to have students relate to the books they read.
Book reports for high school students, book reports for high school students english, book report for high school students, book reports for middle school. Instead of writing about an entire book, ask students to develop. That reading project can be a real drag on your timebut dont despair. On the back of the book cover, explain why you are giving the award to the book.
Free blogging sites like blogger and wordpress also support podcasting. All included printable templates make this diy book report project easy and fun for elementary and middle school students in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. Journal writing is a fabulous way to reinforce your child. Make a cardboard mailbox and trade letters and treats with your family. Then, they can upload the audio file to your school website to share with. Take a look at these nine ideas ways to light your creative spark and burn through that project in no time. Fortunately, there are a plethora of alternative methods to accomplish the same goal. Help your students make the books they read come alive with these 15 creative book report ideas and examples. There are many, many great ways for students to respond to literature.
During middle school, joylin suddenly starts noticing boys, and one in. Book report grew out of a yearlong pd project in two middle schools and. Many of the suggestions integrate technology into student presentations. Laura hayden was looking for something to liven up book report writing for her students at derby kansas middle school. Presents 5 different ideas for a great oral presentation, from dramatic act out a scene or tell the story from a different point of view to scrappy create a believable scrapbook for one character and be prepared to explain it. Cereal box book reports are fun and unique for students in grades and middle school creative book report ideas for teachers needing book report templa. Students of high school and college level usually face this type of task. Choose from the menu below to visit the school of your choice. Once you have your book, youll have to read it of course, and then youll have to decide what kind of report to do. Three years ago education world celebrated childrens book week by publishing better book reports 25 ideas since that time, those book report ideas have logged tens of thousands of hits. Fresh ideas for creative book reports education world. The following ideas will rev up your students enthusiasm for reading while creating opportunities for them to practice reading comprehension strategies and build language arts skills. After choosing and reading a book, each student selected a book report container. Welcome to esl printables, the website where english language teachers exchange resources.
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