Let's say goodbye to boring book reports for good! Today, I'm sharing 7 of my favorite ways to get students to report on the books that they have read. These ideas combine creativity, rigor, and engagement so that students actually enjoy reporting out on their reading. And...there's enough variety in these activities that you'll be able to tap into a variety of learning styles all year long. 1. Doodle Book Review - Exclusive FREEBIE! Oh baby! There's nothing better than doodles to get students excited about learning. In the doodle book review, students complete planning pages before creating a doodle-themed, one-page book report. This book review is accessible and fun...and since I know your students will LOVE IT, I'm providing an exclusive FREE DOODLE BOOK REVIEW. 2. Book Report Mobile Here's a fun twist on a classic book report. It's a paper book mobile. The Clothes Hanger Book Report works with any fiction book. The highly detailed planning pages are designed so that students can work on the project in class or independently outside of school. The end result is a vivid, comprehensive book report that students love. 3. Book Talk Book talks are a wonderful way for students to demonstrate their understanding of the books they read while practicing their writing and speaking skills. The only problem is, students often don't know where to start. That's where this FREE Book Talk resource comes in. Students learn about book talks before completing a pre-write. Then, they write a final copy. After learning about how to give a book talk, they're ready to report on their present their book talks. 4. Literature Circles Looking for a fun way to get students involved in their reading? Then, you are going to love the Doodle Literature Circle roles. A literature circle is when a small group of students gather to discuss a piece of literature in depth. The discussion is guided by students’ responses to Literature Circle Role handouts. Each doodle-style handout will have students thinking critically about the text and of course, doodling to heighten their engagement and connection to their reading. The handouts are completed before the literature circle discussions. Then, during the literature circle, small groups gather and engage in critical thinking as they read, discuss and respond to texts together. 5. File Folder Book Project I love this book project because it's designed for students to complete all on their own. That means that they can create a unique file folder covered in plot details, character analysis, setting description, a personal reflection as part of an independent reading project. This project is super adaptable too. You can also use it for a class-wide novel study or even a summer reading project. And my favorite part is that the final file folders are a great addition to your classroom library. Future readers can easily reference the file folders to get a review of a book before reading the book on their own. 6. Creative Reading Response Tasks Here are 20 creative ways to get students to report out on their reading. These creative Reading Response Tasks give students an opportunity to share their thoughts and interpretations about their reading in engaging ways. The activities tap into current social media trends as well as traditional writing styles. Along with the 20 fun and educational reading response activities, you’ll also find everything you need to set up a reading response program or journal in your classroom. Let the reading (and fun!) begin! 7. Task Cards and Doodle Poster What happens when a great book, creative task cards and engaging doodle notes combine? A Doodle and Do resource, of course! I've created Doodle and Do resources for Freak the Mighty, Walk Two Moons, Wonder, and Tuck Everlasting. In each of these resources, students will respond to 12 fun task cards with 2 pages of doodle notes. The task cards require students to write, chat, swap, and draw in response to specific questions about the book. Then, students add their responses to fun doodle notes for the novels. I hope you have found some fresh ideas for book reports! Here are the links... 1. FREE - Doodle Book Review 2. Clothes Hanger Book Report 3. FREE Book Talk 4. Doodle Literature Circle Roles 5. File Folder Book Project 6. 20 Creative Reading Response Tasks 7. Task Cards and Doodle Poster - Freak the Mighty, Walk Two Moon, Wonder, and Tuck Everlasting Don't forget to grab the FREE Doodle Book Review! Thanks for stopping by, Mary Beth P.S. Click here for even more reading resources!
This doodle book report is designed to get students reflecting on their reading in a really engaging way! The cinema-themed doodles make this doodle book review super fun! The best part? It’s easy to teach and simple for students to complete…and still, it makes students think! First, students complete a step-by-step planning guide. They’ll reflect on the book’s characters, plot, setting, and theme. In addition, they’ll review the book, identify an important quote, write a summary, describe the book in just three words, and even reflect on major plot moments. Next, they’ll use their insights from their planning pages to design a Doodle Book Review. Using a doodle template, they’ll create a book review like no other! It’s visually appealing and super motivating! This book report is so much fun! This Doodle Book Review includes: Detailed Lesson Plans (2 pages) Step-by-Step Book Review Planning Guide (2 pages) Doodle Book Review Ways to Use this Resource: Have students complete the Doodle Book Review after a whole-class novel study. Assign the book review as a book report project along with an independent reading program. Give to students to complete over a school break. Include the Doodle Book Review as part of a summer reading initiative. Provide as a creative book report option any time during the school year. Other Doodle and Do Resources… Doodle and Do Reading Skills bundle! - Making Inferences, Finding the Main Idea, Fact & Opinion, Sequencing, and Summarizing 5 Nonfiction Text Structure Mini-Units - Problem/Solution, Compare and Contrast, Descriptive, Chronological Order, and Cause and Effect How to Study for a Test Doodle Notes and 5 Learning Stations Writing Responses with Text-Based Evidence Doodle Notes and 5 Learning Stations You may also like: File Folder Book Report Listening Comprehension Unit - Based on a nonfiction passage about Malala Yousafzai 101 Writing Prompts - Students choose which creative prompt they would like to respond to. Following is Fun! Get the inside scoop on all store discounts, free products, and product launches. Just click the green “Follow Me” star under my store name on this page or click the green “Follow Me” star on my store homepage. Let’s Stay in Touch! Blog Pinterest Facebook Instagram *** Click HERE to receive the Brain Waves Instruction Newsletter filled with exclusive FREEBIES and Teaching Tips! Thanks! Brain Waves Instruction
Sparkle your child imagination by encouraging them to read books. Encourage your kid to fill in a book review - Book review template KS2 KS1
Add some fun to the old-fashioned placeholder with this bookmark! Your child answers a few questions and makes the bookmark, and the experience, all her own!
You Are a Social Detective is a great introduction to Michelle Garcia Winner’s Social Thinking , written especially for kids who struggle in social situations. The book is divided into 3 different sections. Whenever I use this book as a teaching tool, I read one section at a time. The firs
Enhance your reading experience with our Printable Book Review Sheet! Ideal for book clubs, avid readers, or those who love to reflect on their literary journey. Personalize your reading experience, track your thoughts and create a lasting record of your literary adventures. Download now and make every book a memorable experience with our printable book review sheets! **** This is a DIGITAL product. NO physical items will be shipped to you.**** Product information: • Your purchase includes A4, A5, Letter and Half Letter PDF files. • Perfect for home and office use. • Print as many pages as you need. • Simply print from your home printer, or send to a local printing shop. How to download, open and print these PDF files on your computer: • You can download these digital items once your purchase is confirmed. • Please note no printed materials / physical products will be shipped. • Download link: Go to https://www.etsy.com/your/purchases – download the files you just purchased. This item is for personal use and cannot be resold, redistributed, or used for any commercial purposes. Any Questions? Please do not hesitate to reach out via Etsy message! I am always open to questions, comments and suggestions.
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
From Kierkegaard to Cortazar, read a list of 74 books recommended by beloved Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges.
In her new memoir, 'Educated,' Tara Westover recounts how she left an isolated childhood behind to go to college and beyond. A 4-star review.
Teach character traits in upper elementary through activities, full lesson plans, anchor charts, and small group work! Plus a freebie!
Reading logs are a popular tool used to track reading time or the number of pages/books read each day. As someone who values the joy of reading and learning, I've created printable reading logs and
Suzanne Collins biography, graphic novel style! Students should enjoy reading, right!? And there's a reason why young children love picture books: images are appealing. Do I prefer reading a graphic novel version of my favorite books? Not really. But, that doesn't mean none of my students do. In fact, I would say quite a few of them would prefer it. If I want my students to enjoy reading, I need to offer plenty of choices. The same with writing. Some kids are happy to write a classic book report. But some aren't. So why not give them choices? With the recent announcement on the Hunger Games Fireside Chat of Sara Gundell's comic-style biography of Suzanne Collins (author of The Hunger Games), (see picture) this reminds me that there are so many appealing ways to entice students to read rather than the traditionally printed book. I offer loads of choices in my high school classroom because we all have different tastes. I do love reading comics and have Calvin and Hobbes, The Far Side, Close to Home, and Frazz books for students to read. Of course I offer the classics along side them, but I would much rather have a student read something over nothing. We need to admit that it is OK to allow these choices in our classroom. Students DO learn from reading non-academia texts! Reading the Guiness Book of World Records is still helping my students' reading skills. How? Because they are reading! It doesn't matter what they are reading. The act alone and repetition of it makes them better readers. It is the same with writing. The more they write, the better writer they become. So why do we assign the boring 5-paragraph essay over and over again so they learn to hate writing? I don't know (well I do...because we are forced to). It's crazy. I would rather assign them more relevant and personally-connected pieces because 1. they will enjoy it, and 2. the chances of them copying & pasting text from the internet is less likely. Here's a free download for you: comic strip panels to use to assign a comic bio or book report. Download all of the pages here: I created them using Pasq.com's Comic Life program. You can head to my teacher store to find additional ideas for literature- and history-based learning. Sample pages:
[Source: Twin Sisters Speech and Language Therapy] The author of the book that we are reviewing today is, Mirla G. Raz. She is a certified and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist who has been working as a clinician for over 40 years. She has said, “I have been keenly aware of the significant role parents play in the progress […]
I love using interactive lapbooks in the classroom. They are fun to create, engaging and can be used throughout the year to review skills taught. I finally completely my Lapbook Bundle and I am happy to share the lapbooks included with you. Whether you think your learners will enjoy creating all of the lapbooks, if you
A summer review packet for rising first graders. To get a FREE copy of this summer review packet with your students, when you get to the blog, click on the picture.
I love these name letters for bulletin board toppers and more! This includes the Flap Book printable also. This set of letters that spell JOSHUA is a super condensed overview of his life. They can be used as a bulletin board heading, or by themselves. These letters are perfect when you have a couple extra minutes when you are studying Joshua and can spend some time for review. The download includes the color and black & white version. Click here to download the Spell-It-Out Letters for Joshua. For the students, you can print this Joshua Flap book. The students can write each Joshua fact under the flap. These are great for Joshua discussions and for review. The download includes the color and black and white to print. Click here to print the Joshua Flap Book. Click here to see more for Joshua. Click here to see more.
Thank you to Diane for submitting this fun book report poster. It’s legal size (paper) worksheet and is great for lower grades (or as an easy project for upper grades). Great end of the year …
These Reading Journal PDF printables help you track your reading and easily crush your book goals, even if you lack time or inspiration.
Kim Singh-Sall reviews Delia Owens' breakout success tale of prejudice and nature in the Deep South, 'Where the Crawdads Sing'.
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.
Check out these 5 No-Prep Reviews Games for any classroom or any subject! Click to see what no-prep review games you can add to your teacher toolbox!
Giada's simple bolognese is a longtime favorite among readers, and it's no question why.
Here's how to decide if the Handwriting without Tears preschool program is right for your child. The most important thing to keep in mind is...
Wanted:One (fake) boyfriendPractically perfect in every wayLuc O'Donnell is tangentially--and reluctantly--famous. His rock star parents split when he was young, and the father he's never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now th...
Looking for a great new amigurumi eBook to inspire you to crochet? Spirit Animals - Easy Patterns for your favorite Mascots includes a great collection of realistic crochet animals for you to make!
Print these FREE printable color books, activity sheets, chore charts and more with our round of of favorite educational sheets that you can print for kids!
A list of books recommended by actor and filmmaker John Krasinski, including work by Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and David Foster Wallace.
Do you want to encourage your kids to read more? This printable book log is a perfect way to challenge them. Print this coloring sheet in any size you need: A1 as poster to hang on the wall or as small as A5 to be a perfect addition to your journal. ⚠ THIS IS A DIGITAL LISTING ONLY - NO PRINTED ITEM will be mailed to you. BY PURCHASING THIS LISTING YOU'LL RECEIVE: Digital PDF File. --------------------------------------------------------- DELIVERY - INSTANT DOWNLOAD Once your payment is cleared (usually within 5-20 minutes), you'll receive an email from Etsy with the link to download. Files will be also available to download in your account - "Purchases & Reviews". --------------------------------------------------------- TERMS OF USE This digital item is for PERSONAL USE ONLY, it CANNOT be used for commercial purposes. YOU MAY NOT forward, share, sell, distribute or reproduce this design or the designs you make from them in any form; original version or altered, digital or printed. BY PURCHASING THIS ITEM YOU AGREE to all policies and terms of this shop, you can check out "Shop Policies" for further information about the usage of my digital items. --------------------------------------------------------- REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES Due to the digital nature of this listing, all sales are final: I cannot offer cancellation, refund or exchange. Thanks for understanding. Your files will be available to download once payment is confirmed. I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Read a list of books in musician, activist, and filmmaker Frank Zappa's occult collection, including work by Ram Dass and Aleister Crowley.
Nature's Landscapes Crochet Blankets is available from Annie's Craft Store and includes patterns for 4 pictorial landscapes crocheted in Medium Weight Yarn [4]. Read my full book review here.
“The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth von Arnim is exactly as magical as its title suggests. But, much like folklore, there is also the threat of April’s capricious rain on the horizon. What emerges is a novel that is stronger for …
Grab a Free Printable Book Report Form to fill out after getting a free books from Sam's Club!
Dinosaurs are always a great conversation starter for kids– I haven’t found 1 kid who wasn’t interested in them! This book is no exception– it is sure to get some good laugh…
