Friendship-building activities help children in K-3 develop strong social skills. When relationships are an important factor in education, kids succeed in school and life.

The days of dioramas and book reports may be long gone. (Is it wrong that I’m a little sad about that?) Yet the expectation that students read and express their understanding of what they’ve read remains as strong as ever. So what’s a teacher to do? More specifically, what’s a creative teacher to do, when she doesn’t want to rely on worksheets? Get creative, of course! I’ve compiled 9 Fun Book Projects for you. They’re quick and easy to prepare, and best of all, they’re engaging – for both your students and you. No more slogging through piles of “Why I Liked This Book!” Take a look: Write a different ending -- What if the main character didn’t make it in the end? Or the dogs had lived? Or the culprit was the best friend? Your students’ imaginations can really wander with this assignment. Maybe their alternate ending will be even better than the original! Offer to let students draw their new ending as a bonus. Give a book talk --- Book talks are a wonderful way for students to demonstrate their understanding of books that they have read while practicing their writing and speaking skills. They're a great book project because they combine so many skills...and students love listening to one another. Oh, and the added bonus is that students can learn about books that they're interested in reading as they listen to the book talks. If you'd like to give them a try, then check out this FREE BOOK TALK GUIDE. It includes an overview of book talks, pre-write, final copy, and tips and tricks for presenting a book talk. Find it HERE. Write a sequel -- If you have the time, your students may want to extend their alternative endings into a whole second book (or at least a few pages or a chapter). After all, who hasn’t reached the end of a great read and wished for more? This will be a challenge, as students will have to build on the original plot lines and character outlines. Refer them to some famous book series for inspiration. Write a letter to the author -- Take a page from Beverly Cleary’s classic Dear Mr. Henshaw and have students write a thoughtful letter, with questions for the author of their current reading selection (or a favorite book). Most authors love to write (of course!) and appreciate opportunities to interact directly with their readers. Address letters (or e-mails) to the publisher, or see if the author has contact information on his or her website. It never hurts for students to practice their letter-writing and envelope-addressing skills, either – at least as long as snail mail is still around. Your students will be thrilled to get a response, too. Great news! I've put together three stationary templates that students can use when drafting their letters. They're a special FREEBIE just for you! Click here to check them out...and download them for free! Choose a response --- Here's an idea that students love...give them choices! It's amazing how giving students the ability to select the response or project that they would like to complete instantly increases their engagement. With that in mind, I created a series of "This or That" reading responses. Each This or That Reading Prompt includes instruction at the top of the worksheet and then 2 reading response choices for students to showcase their learning. After reviewing the choices, students can choose to do the "This" prompt or the "That" prompt. You can easily turn this into a book project by having students complete 5 (or so) different prompts while reading the book and submit them all as a final project when they finish reading the book. Learn more HERE. Set it to music -- Have your students capture a pivotal scene from the book in a song set to familiar music. It can be a ballad, a pop song, a rap – whatever speaks to them or best works with the scene. Encourage students who select this option to put on a concert. For students who are shy to perform, give them the option of recording their song privately, so you can play it without them having to get up in front of the class. Doodle it --- This is my FAVORITE type of book project! That's because it combines reflection, thinking and DOODLING! You can instantly take book reports and book projects to a whole new level with a Doodle Book Review! First, students complete a planning guide. Then, they design a Doodle Book Review! Check it out HERE! There's even this cinema-themed version that your students are sure to love. Find it HERE. Create a File Folder --- I first developed this book project idea many years ago as a summer reading project. Then, I altered it slightly so that it could be completed during anytime of the school year with any book. With this project, students compile critical information from the book they read including the plot, characters, setting, and a reflection in a manila file folder. The file folder book report includes detailed instructions so that students can complete it all independently. The end result is a compact project that students love! Oh, and you can store the file folders by your classroom library for students to reference when picking out a book! Find more details HERE. Blog about it -- If you have a classroom webpage, it can be fairly simple to create a live (and private) blog that students can use to discuss and debate the merits of their favorite books. This option might work best for students who have read the same book. Make sure you establish expectations for a civil online conversation. You can get in on the convo, too! Focusing on nonfiction in your classroom? Try one of these book report alternatives: Ø Create a scrapbook with images and facts about the book topic. Ø Write interview questions for the main character (if reading a biography, for example). Extend this assignment by allowing students to dress up as the character and record their responses to the interview questions. Ø Write a diary that one of the story’s main characters might have kept before, during, or after the book’s events. Make sure students emphasize what the character is thinking and feeling to give it an authentic feel. Ø Write a news story about the main event in the book (for example, the sinking of the Titanic). This is a good opportunity to practice this very specific form of writing. You’ll want to review inverted pyramid style and how to use quotes if you go this route. BONUS: Wait! I have one more idea. Here's a new spin on the classic book report mobile! Why not have students report out on the plot, setting, characters, and theme on fun pieces of paper clothing? Then students can hang their work from a hanger that says, "Try this book on for size!" This project includes a set of first draft materials and final copy elements so that students can create a high quality project! Here's some links for some of the project ideas above: ➧ File Folder Book Project (any book!) ➧ Doodle and Do Book Review (doodle book project) ➧ This or That Reading Response Prompts ➧ Book Talk (freebie) ➧ Letter to the Author Stationary Templates (FREE!) ➧ Clothes Hanger Book Report I hope that you've found some fun book project ideas to try in your classroom! Happy reading! Mary Beth

by Siddplayssims 01: Top | Pants | Shoes 02: Jumpsuit | Tied Sweater | Socks | Sneakers 03: Top | Shorts | Socks | Sneakers 04: Top | Skirt More look books here! Thank you to the cc creators!…

Editor’s Note: The following article continues Johan Liedgren’s series on storytelling and its role in crafting narrative in design, advertising and film. On New Research Suggesting There Are Only …

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Related Printables: Elisha and Shunammite Woman Craft Elisha and Naaman Craft Elisha and the Shunammite Woman Coloring Page Elisha and Naaman Coloring Page

These FREE Printables and Unit Studies for Eric Carle's Books will help you expand on what your kids are learning through these beloved books.

Read fun with grammar communicative activities for the azar grammar series teacher 039 s resource book by Emine Çetin on Issuu and browse thousands...

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Blank books provide a great way to encourage kids to write. Here are 3 easy ways to assemble blank books for your writing center, literacy center, and beyond.

Baby Girl Nursery Essentials. by marilynjeansims ꨄ︎ crib | pillows | infant playmat ꨄ︎ ꨄ︎ books | changing table | baby clutter ꨄ︎ ꨄ︎ picture | clothing | toy box ꨄ︎ ꨄ︎ xylophone | rocking chair…

Oh, the first day of school! It's such a fun, but chaotic day. Most of my first days are a little bit of a blur. This is why I have to write very detailed lesson plans or I'll forget everything from that day. I always try to have the same activities for that first day

Here's a very special Mini Passport Book, which you can print out and assemble with the kids for your learning journey when you travel!

When I start the new school year, I pick a book of the day for the first two weeks. I create a variety of activities to go with each book. I use a lot of books that focus on social and emotional learning, including kindness, friendship, and respect. But, I also add in some fun ... Read More about 8 Books for Back to School

When I think of the world that we live in and how many colors are all around, I am truly amazed. Rainbows, fish, butterflies, flowers...there are many colorful things in our world. So, when it comes to teaching colors to my little learners, what better way than to let them know that these colorful things come from God.

This giant list of art projects based on children's books will help your students connect art to literature and make some fantastic artwork in the process.

These Bible Story Print & Fold books are quick and easy to prepare for your Jewish or Christian preschool program. Print & Fold books are a great

This post is about The Very Hungry Caterpillar activities and free printables list. These activities are fun, hands-on and simple!

Here's a simple math game you can use as a book-tivity with any of the Pigeon books by Mo Willems. The newest Pigeon book was released today, April 1st!

I love using picture books as inspiration for children’s art projects. Over the past 13 years I have curated a a massive list of project ideas and lesson plans. Here is my growing list of picture books and coordinating art projects for kids: A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni Abe Lincoln’s Dream by Lane Smith

Start your student's new school year off with some self-reflection. Each page is geared towards getting your students to look at themselves, their families, and their friends!

Spending the first week of school teaching classroom expectations and procedures is essential for a successful year. Glue is a tricky school supply for many little learners and there definitely needs to be instruction dedicated to teaching learners how to use this tool.Glue BottlesWhen learners are not taught how to use their glue correctly things

These Bible Story Print & Fold books are quick and easy to prepare for your Jewish or Christian preschool program. Print & Fold books are a great

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Here`s my first portfolio book from my selected work as a graphic design student. I made this portfolio to complete the internship program needs. This book contains three parts of the project, first is college work, client work, and personal or initiative project. Thank you and enjoy the gaze!

FREE printable book activity for toddlers to go along with Eric Carle's Brown Bear book. Great for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning colors and animals!

You are going to LOVE this little vocabulary gem, and I am so excited to share it with you! It’s a Vocabulary Builder Flip-book containing the most common prefixes, Greek and Latin roots, and suffixes! There is also room for your students to add their own affixes and roots. What a handy resource for your […]

These hands-on farm activities for preschoolers will be loved by toddlers kindergarteners too. Includes math and literacy activities.

If you have little ones or are a teacher of little ones, I’m guessing you probably have at least one (if not many) Eric Carle books in your collection. We certainly do– like, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider,and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see”. These are some of the boys’ very favorite […]

This week for Virtual Book Club Summer Camp it is Forest Fun Week! Here at Toddler Approved when we think of the forest, we think of one thing... THE GRUFFALO! So, this week we'll be

Cartes à pinces pour des lecteurs débutants (bons CP ou CE1). Elles permettent de s'entraîner à trier les informations dans un texte pour trouver le monstre correspondant à chaque description.

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Mr. Men is a series that contains 48 children's books created by the author, Roger Hargreaves that started in 1971. Out of all of them only two were not published in English. This unique book series includes characters with names lijke Mr. Tickle...

A simple tissue paper mummy craft for toddlers! Perfect art project to do with kids this Halloween. Make mummies from ripped paper and glue!