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From Kathy Marie:
(or go directly to book reports 1-100)
This first message is just background info on how I use them. Please feel free to make any changes and to use them in whatever manner works best for you. (This is my first year teaching, and I know I will make changes to this as I go along.)
Each of the activities are on separate sheets of paper. I have them on colorful paper or have inlcuded graphics and clip-art. I love to play with desktop publishing, so I had a blast doing it. You could have TA's or students do this if computers and software are available (they aren't in my school). You also could simply present them with the list, but that may be a bit daunting to them. I then have all of the activity cards in a binder (a change I would make--make 2-3 binders so a number can look through them at the same time).
I have assigned each one a certain number of "marks." You could call them points, whatever you wanted to. The number of marks is found on a sticker on the plastic protector holding the activity card. Most of my marks are about 5--the lowest is 2, I think, and goes to 15. Again, that is totally up to you. I required them to do 15 marks worth of Celebrations the first quarter, this quarter it is up to 20. So far, so good. I let them turn them in as they finish and if it is a presentation type, they need to speak with me to schedule a time. I usually do one every couple of days at the beginning of class. I started having them at the end, but they would frequently get cut off, so I switched it to the beginning. I stipulate that there will be NO presentations the last 3 days of the quarter. I made the due date for the 1st quarter a week before the actual end. This quarter, as I will have more time to finish grades, I let them go until the end. (The presentation rule is carved in stone, though.)
The kids know that the marks are just an estimation. If they change the project in anyway, the number of marks changes. If they do really well, they get more marks. If they do poorly, they get fewer marks. Unfortunately, it is very subjective. If this becomes a problem, I plan on having them fill out a little form telling me why they are disgruntled at the marks I gave them, how many they think it should have earned, and why. So far, I haven't had any problems. (knock on wood)
Each activity really does have its own set of directions. A lot of them have lots of room for the kids to adjust and make their own decisions. Some of the activities are very similar to each other. However, I have made up cards for them and included them in my binder. It is amazing how sometimes just a wee bit different wording makes all the difference to these kids--especially middle schoolers. For example, I had one student say she would never do #1, but she willingly and wonderfully completed #32. In essence they are the same thing. I think it was the word "presentation" that bothered her. On the other hand, *I* would have had a hard time being the character, but would have jumped at the chance to do a presentation. For activities like #40, I give more points if it is done by hand than I do if done by computer. There are so many software programs now which create puzzles like this for you.
I have the students include all their information--Name, #, date, activity #, on a separate sheet. I write all of my comments/score on this sheet so that I do not have to deface any projects. It is also handy to have them write explanations. I have also had students tell me the number of marks they should receive and why, if I perceive a possible problem in doling out marks.
The students so far have tended to stick within their own comfort zones. But, they are starting to branch out. They see some of the projects the other kids are working on and want to do them too. Ah, peer pressure, what a glorious thing!!
A number of the projects could also be used as a class assignment after reading a novel as a class. I am going to do a unit on "Freak the Mighty" in the spring and want them to do the photo album/scrapbook one as a class assignment. (Max would want a picture of himself opening the present from Kevin, one of Kevin on his shoulders, and one of Kevin coming into save Max from his father, etc.).
Like I said, feel free to use them in anyway--if you have questions, or suggestions, or success stories with them, let me know. I am still feeling my way through this teaching thing and am always willing to hear what other teachers are doing.
Good Luck!
1. Do a costumed presentation of your book. Dress either as
the author or one of the characters.
2. Write a letter from one character to another character.
3.Write the first paragraph (or two) for a sequel. Outline what
would happen in the rest of book.
4. Write a new conclusion.
5.Write a new beginning.
6.If a journey was involved, draw a map with explanatory notes
of significant places.
7.Make a diorama and explain what it shows.
8.Make a diorama showing the setting or a main event from the
book.
9.Make a new jacket with an original blurb.
10.Use e-mail to tell a reading pen pal about the book.
11.Participate with three or four classmates in a television talk
show about the book.
12.With another student, do a pretend interview with the author
or with one of the characters.
13.Cut out magazine pictures to make a collage or a poster illustrating
the idea of the book.
14.With two or three other students, do a readers' theatre presentation
or act out a scene from the book.
15.Lead a small group discussion with other readers of the same
book. Focus on a specific topic and report your group's conclusion
to the class.
16.Keep a reading journal and record your thoughts at the end
of each period of reading.
17.Write a book review for a class publication.
18.Find a song or a poem that relates to the theme of your book.
Explain the similarities.
19.For fun, exaggerate either characteristics or events and write
a tabloid-style news story related to your book.
20.Draw a comic-book page complete with bubble-style conversations
showing an incident in your book.
21.Use a journalistic style and write a news story about something
that happened to one of the characters.
22.Write a paragraph telling about the title. Is it appropriate?
Why or Why not?
23.Decide on an alternate title for the book. Why is it appropriate?
Is it better than the one the book has now? Why or Why not?
24.Make a poster advertising your book.
25.Make a travel brochure inviting tourists to visit the setting
of the book. What types of activities would there be for them
to attend?
26.Write a letter to the main character of the book.
27.Write a letter to the main character of the book. Write the
letter he or she sends back.
28.Make three or more puppets of the characters in the book. Prepare
a short puppet show to tell the story to the class.
29.Write a description of one of the main characters. Draw or
cut out a picture to accompany the description.
30.Make an ID card which belongs to one of the characters. Be
sure to make the card look like the cards for that particular
state. Include a picture and all information found on and ID card.
Don't forget the signature!! ******This gets them researching
what ID cards /Driver's Licenses look like; as well as thinking
about the character--especially the signature. I have seen kids
ask each of the other students to sign the character's name to
find the one that would most likely belong to the character.********
31.Prepare a list of 15 to 20 questions for use in determining
if other people have read the book carefully.
32.Must include some "thought" questions. "How?"
"Why"
33.Dress up as one of the characters and tell the story from a
first person point of view.
34.Rewrite the story as a picture book. Use simple vocabulary
so that it may be enjoyed by younger students.
35.Write a diary as the main character would write it to explain
the events of the story. Must have at least 5 entries.
36.Make a map showing where the story took place.
37.Make a dictionary containing 20 or more difficult words from
the book.
38.Describe the problem or conflict existing for the main character
in the book. Tell how the conflict was or was not resolved.
39.Make a mobile showing pictures or symbols of happenings in
the book.
40.Make a collage representing some event or part of your book.
41.Make a crossword puzzle using ideas from a book. Need at least
25 entries.
42.Choose any topic from your book and write a 1-2 page research
report on it. Include a one paragraph explanation as to how it
applies to your book(not in the paper itself--on your "title
page.")
43.Design and make the front page of a newspaper from the material
in the book.
44.Write a song for your story. (extra marks if presented in class)
45.Write a poem (or poems) about your story.
46.Pretend you are a teacher, preparing to teach your novel to
the entire class. Create 5 journal prompts.
47.Make a comic strip of your story.
48.Make a display of the time period of your book.
49.Make a banner of cloth or paper about your book.
50.Create a movie announcement for your book.
51.Create a radio ad for your book. Write out the script and tape
record it as it would be presented. Don't forget background music!
52.Make a "wanted" poster for one of the characters
or objects in your book. Include the following: (a) a drawing
or cut out picture of the character or object, (b) a physical
description of the character or object, (c) the character's or
object's misdeeds (or deeds?), (d) other information about the
character or object which is important, (e) the reward offered
for the capture of the character or object.
53.Research and write a 1 page report on the geographical setting
of your story. Include an explanation as to why this setting was
important to the effect of the story.|
54.Design an advertising campaign to promote the sale of the book
you read. Include each of the following: a poster, a radio or
TV commercial, a magazine or newspaper ad, a bumper sticker, and
a button.
55.Find the top 10 web sites a character in your book would most
frequently visit. Include 2-3 sentences for each on why your character
likes each of the sites.
56.Write a scene that could have happened in the book you read
but didn't. After you have written the scene, explain how it would
have changed the outcome of the book.
57.Create a board game based on events and characters in the book
you read. By playing your game, members of the class should learn
what happened in the book. Your game must include the following:
a game board, a rule sheet and clear directions, events and characters
from the story.
57.Make models of three objects which were important in the book
you read. On a card attached to each model, tell why that object
was important in the book.
58.Design a movie poster for the book you read. Cast the major
character in the book with real actors and actresses. Include
a scene or dialogue from the book in the layout of the poster.
Remember, it should be PERSUASIVE; you want people to come see
the movie.
59.If the book you read involves a number of locations within
a country or geographical area, plot the events of the story on
a map. Make sure the map is large enough for us to read the main
events clearly. Attach a legend to your map. Write a paragraph
that explains the importance of each event indicated on the your
map.
60.Complete a series of five drawings that show five of the major
events in the plot of the book you read. Write captions for each
drawing so that the illustrations can be understood by someone
who did not read the book.
61.Make a test for the book you read. Include 10 true-false, 10
multiple choice, and 10 short essay questions. After writing the
test, provide the answers for your questions.
62.Select one character from the book you read who has the qualities
of a heroine or hero. List these qualities and tell why you think
they are heroic.
63.Imagine that you are about to make a feature-length film of
the novel you read. You have been instructed to select your cast
from members of your English class. Cast all the major characters
in your novel from your English classmates and tell why you selected
each person for a given part.
64.Plan a party for the characters in the book you read. In order
to do this, complete each of the following tasks: (a) Design an
invitation to the party which would appeal to all of the characters.
(b) Imagine that you are five of the characters in the book and
tell what each would wear to the party. (c) Tell what food you
would serve and why. (d) Tell what games or entertainment you
will provide and why your choices are appropriate. (e) Tell how
three of the characters will act at the party. (f) What kind of
a party is this? (birthday, housewarming, un-birthday, anniversary,
etc.)
65.List five of the main characters from the book you read. Give
three examples of what each character learned or did not learn
in the book.
66.Obtain a job application from an employer in our area, and
fill out the application as one of the characters in the book
you read might do. Before you obtain the application, be sure
that the job is one for which a character in your book is qualified.
If a resume is required, write it.
67.You are a prosecuting attorney putting one of the characters
from the book you read on trial for a crime or misdeed. Prepare
your case on paper, giving all your arguments.
68.Do the previous activity, but find a buddy to help you. One
of you becomes the prosecuting attorney; the other is the defense.
If you can't find a buddy, you could try it on your own.
69.Make a shoe box diorama of a scene from the book you read.
Write a paragraph explaining the scene and its effect in the book
on your title page.
70.Pretend that you are one of the characters in the book you
read. Tape a monologue of that character telling of his or her
experiences. Be sure to write out a script before taping. You
could perform this "live" if you so choose.
71.Make a television box show of ten scenes in the order that they occur in the book you read. Cut a square form the bottom of a box to serve as a TV screen and make two slits in opposite sides of the box. Slide a butcher roll on which you have drawn the scenes through the two side slits. Make a tape to go with your television show. Be sure to write out a script before taping or performing live.
72.Tape an interview with one of the characters in the book you read. Pretend that this character is being interviewed by a magazine or newspaper reporter. You may do this project with a partner, but be sure to write a script before taping. You may choose to do a "live" version of this.
73.Write a letter to a friend about the book you read. Explain why you liked or did not like the book.
74.In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield describes a good book as one that "when you're done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it." Imagine that the author of the book you read is a terrific friend of yours. Write out an imaginary telephone conversation between the two of you in which you discuss the book you read and other things as well.
75.Imagine that you have been given the task of conducting a tour of the town in which the book you read is set. Make a tape describing the homes of your characters and the places where important events in the book took place. You may want to use a musical background for your tape.
76.Do some research on the hometown of your book's author. You may be able to find descriptions of his or her home, school, favorite hangouts, etc. What else is of interest in the town? Imagine that you are conducting a tour of the town. Make a tape describing the places you show people on the tour. You may want to use a musical background for your tape.
77.Make a list of at least ten proverbs or familiar sayings. Now decide which characters in the book you read should have followed the suggestions in the familiar sayings and why.
78.Write the copy for a newspaper front page that is devoted entirely to the book you read. The front page should look as much like a real newspaper page as possible. The articles on the front page should be based on events and characters in the book.
79.Make a collage that represents major characters and events in the book you read. Use pictures and words cut from magazines in your collage.
80.Make a time line of the major events in the book you read. Be sure the divisions on the time line reflect the time period in the plot. Use drawings or magazine cutouts to illustrate events along the time line. You could present this to the class, taking us through time--event be event, for more marks
81.Change the setting of the book you read. Tell how this change of setting would alter events and affect characters.
82.Make a paper doll likeness of one of the characters in the book you read. Design at least threes costumes for this character. Next, write a paragraph commenting on each outfit; tell what the clothing reflects about the character, the historical period and events in the book.
83.Pick a national issue. Compose a speech to be given on that topic by one of the major characters in the book you read. Be sure the contents of the speech reflect the characters personality and beliefs.
84.Retell the plot of the book you read as it might appear in a third-grade reading book. Be sure that the vocabulary you use is appropriate for that age group. Tape your storytelling.
85.Complete each of these eight ideas with material growing out of the book you read: This book made me wish that. . ., realize that. . ., decide that. . ., wonder about. . ., see that. . ., believe that . . ., feel that . . ., and hope that. . . .
86.After reading a non-fiction book, become a teacher. Prepare a lesson that will teach something you learned from the book. It could be a "how-to" lesson or one on content. Plan carefully to present all necessary information in a logical order. You don't want to confuse your students! Present your lesson to your students. How did you do? If you taught a "how-to" lesson, look at the final product to see if your instructions to the class were clear. If your lesson introduced something new, you might give a short quiz to see how well you taught the lesson.
87.Look through magazines for words and pictures that describe your book. Use these to create a collage on a bookmark. Make the bookmark available for others to use as they read the same book.
88.Write the title of your book. Decide on some simple word--picture--letter combinations that will spell out the title "rebus style." Present it to the class to solve (I will make a transparency or copies for you.) After they have solved the rebus., invite them to ask questions about the book.
89.After reading a book, design a game, based on that book as its theme. Will you decide on a board game, card game, concentration? The choices are only limited to YOUR CREATIVITY! Be sure to include clear directions and provide everything needed to play.
90.Choose an interesting character from your book. Consider the character's personality, likes and dislikes. Decide on a gift for him or her. . . something he or she would really like and use. Design a greeting card to go along with your gift. In the greeting, explain to your friend from the book why you selected the gift.
91.Design a poster to advertise your book. Be creative. . . use detail. . .elaborate. . . use color! Can you make it 3-D or movable?
92.Make a large poster that could be a cover for that book. Imagine that you are the book and plan a way to introduce yourself. Make the group feel they would like to know you better. Organize your best points into an introduction to present to the class. Be sure to "wear" your cover!
93.Read the classifieds. Find something a character in your book was looking for or would like. Cut out the classified. Write a short paragraph telling why he or she needs/wants the item. Would the one advertised be a good buy for him or her? Why or Why not?
94.Create cutout sketches of each character in your novel. Mount the sketches on a bulletin board. Include a brief character sketch telling us about the characters.
95.Design a symbol for a novel or a certain character.
96.Gather a large collection of current events that reflect incidents that closely parallel those in your novel.
97.Write a letter to the author of your novel and explain how you feel about the book.
98.Prepare and present an oral interpretation to the class.
99.Create a poster that could be used as an advertisement.
100.Do a five minute book talk.