Over the summer I came across a list of ideas for different ways to present a book report. Dd#1 did a newspaper style book report. She incorporated events from the book, weather, people, came up with sales ads, dear editor letter, verse for the week, word for the week, and a poem and placed these into a homemade newspaper. She used the computer for the typing of the articles. She had her sister and brother pose for some photos in costume for some of the pictures. It was a very creative way to "tell" what happened in the book she read. She wanted me to tell you that it took her two days to do it. She put all she had into it and was working on it during "non schooling hours" or "homework hours", which was very encouraging to see. The list of ideas I purchased from www.currclick.com. The title of it is Literature Helpers. Thought I would share our success story. How are book reports going in your school?
We are finishing up using a book called "How to Report on Books." My kids have loved it. The book comes with pre-made sheets; the kids just fill in the blanks. They have ones for characters, plot, setting, etc. They also have some at the back that are designed more for group stuff but can be altered for an individual [making bookmarks and things like that]. It's been a nice way to introduce writing a report as it really just works on getting the kids to think about fundamental information. For example, on one report, they had to circle the adjectives that they thought described the main character. On another, they had to tell why they thought the story could or couldn't be real.
That sounds great! It sounds like a fun idea. we have not even touched on the subject of book reports yet....I'm just happy mine are reading (although they wouldn't if they weren't made to) finally, lol! That does sound like a great way to do one though. I may introduce the idea to my kiddos and see how it goes with them. thanks for sharing and congrats!
I've never been much of a book report person. But lately I've asked the kids to write reviews of some of their Required Reading books for my web page. That has worked fairly well! Mostly for the historical fiction books.
I have done the "reading rainbow" style of reports in the past and then printed out forms for them to fill in the blanks similar to how I hd to do it in 7th grade ( grade school in Canada) Since then we have done verbal reports, ds tells me what the book was about and who his favorite characters where and such, where it took place .. so that I know that he comprehended it, that gives me the chance to ask on the spot questions.
The historical fiction books are filled with "newsworthy" events and ads for a paper. I am hoping dd will want to do another. I enjoyed reading what you do for reporting on books. Liking the idea of circling the adjectives that they thought described the main character
I found Squidoo over the summer vacation. Basically it is an easy way to put up web pages about specific topics. It is fun to use, and as you can actually earn money from it (both from how popular your page - called a 'lens' is and from products you sell from Amazon and eBay) I realized it could add a new element to book reports and other assignments. My son used a specific type of lens called Squidllit to create a book report on Fallen Angels. I teach a business class at a local co-op and the kids had to read and review a book about Chik-Fil-A. One of my students pulblished her one on How did you do it, Truett? If you do decide to try this with your kids, please get them to sign up from one of the above lenses as if you / your kids earns $15 then the person whose lens they have signed up from earns $5. Meryl
http://www.lovetolearnplace.com/Books/BookReport.html That's what we occassionally use for book reports - mostly I just ask questions about it. Heck I just get excited when my kids read a book
Thanks for the link Dana! Awesome! I saved the 1st grade through 3rd grades and hope to let them gradually work up to where they should be (my kids HATE writing, so I'm hoping to gradually move them toward it!) Thanks so much!!!
