Whether your students are reading independent books or your class has just finished a unit on space or pioneers, a culminating project can really cement that learning. Nov 19, 2019 teaching novels in the middle school classroom. A books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. If the book is rich in setting, then asking them to illustrate where the story takes place can also be revealing. 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. The book reports i have enjoyed the most over the years are ones that originally reinterpret the book read. A middleweb blog your childrens books should be understandable by a second or third grader, i tell my eighth grade history students, but do not necessarily need to be appropriate for a child that age. It is probably best done in the form of a written recount. This project requires students to choose from 1 of 5 middle school level books maniac magee, phantom tollbooth, number the stars, chronicles of narnia. This is a book project packet intended for a readingenglish language arts class. The overwhelming majority of high school students go on to college these days, and they need to be prepared for the demands of college writing in all of its complexity. You could even have students develop their own ideas. Find a song or a poem that relates to the theme of your book.
Students cut out a photocopied image of their subject and glue it in the middle. With this book, gary has offered a roadmap for both using writing and teaching writing in the middle school. Not only is this a compelling book for middle schoolers, but students also had the. Make this into a little book of 3 folded pages, stapled in the middle.
Fun and creative book report ideas for middle school students. Common themesaspects in middle grade fantasy book recommendations. The expectations for high school students are going to be higher when it comes to book report templates. Below your titles, write a short summary of the book. Illustrate the cover on the other side, and include the title of the book. However, that does not mean that we have to limit how we assess their understanding of the books. 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. Although sixth graders arent expected to identify the theme of a story easily, readers at this level should begin to detect deeper ideas in literature. This template will map out the information you need to include in your book report. She learns to rely on her inner strength and the support of her family. Twelve assignments every middle school student should write is a revision and expansion of garys earlier book, middle school writing projects. Not only do these projects ensure that students have a firm grasp on the storys plot, setting, theme and main characters, but they also provide an opportunity to. Book reports that work practical homeschooling magazine.
Ditch the book report and try these book project ideas instead. Interview a character from the book, making up at least 10 questions discussing the characters thoughts on his or her role in the story. Printable handouts with a baseball theme for young readers. Students fill out a form answering basic questions about the book they were assigned to read. Reboot the boring book reports and use these creative and engaging projects to get kids. Students draw scenes from a selected part of the bookperhaps a scene that represents the beginning, middle and end if youre working on understanding chronology. Suggested for middle and high school students and based on bloomsday, this complete. What are some creative book report ideas for middle school. Jesse aarons knows all about hard work, but his new friend leslie. This year, however, i decided that is was time for a library makeover. If its nonfiction, they can plunge into a subject that fascinates them or learn a lot about something theyve never heard of before. To help reinforce the habit of regular writing, it is essential to show kids that writing in school can be fun.
If you want to encourage your middle schoolers to read and create. Add other symbols that remind you of innocence or go along with the theme like a rattle, a bottle, or a mobile. 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. Include the characters likes, accomplishments and surviving family members. Identifying the theme of a story is a higher order skill and requires the reader to make an inference. Ten great creative book report ideas minds in bloom. Journal writing is a fabulous way to reinforce your child.
In middle school, we ask students to dissect texts and perform literary analysis. Rubric for book report which includes presenting an article that is symbolic of a person or thing within the story free rubric builder and assessment tools. When teaching middle school language arts, it is good to express some creativity when assessing students. The lion, witch, and the wardrobe, or the true confessions of charlotte doyle. I read a ton of middle grade and young adult novels. Create a board game with the story elements in your bookcharacter, setting, plot, theme, mood, etc. When kids find titles that are engaging, interesting, and thoughtprovoking, theyre hooked.
There are many, many great ways for students to respond to literature. Book report templates are going to vary from high school to middle school. Over the years, my students have enjoyed spending time in my library. Middle school junior high book reports page 1 abcteach. So, here is the list i created as my mind delved deeper and deeper some ive gotten from some really creative teachers thanks ian. The top 100 books that ehs students should read before they leave middle school. Spice up those old book reports with some new, creative ideas. The classic book report isnt the only way to think about books. Create a threedimensional scene with people, buildings, plants, and animals of one of the book s major events. During wwii, denmark didnt resist nazi occupation, and this deeply shamed 15yearold knud pedersen, who along with his brother and some classmates started a small, secret club of political resisters in 1941. The student shared the books climax on the swiss cheese.
The abstract quality of literary themes can make it difficult for middle school students to identify them. Universal themes in middle school literature pen and the pad. See more ideas about teaching reading, book projects and reading projects. A theme is an idea or message about life, society, or human nature. In this language arts movie on theme, tim and moby discuss the universal ideas that hide within all good tales. This is certainly not a new idea, but publishing the work electronically allows students to enhance the final product with the books cover image, a link to the books page on amazon, and even links to other titles the author has written or articles on related topics. Whereas character and plot is directly stated through the words, a theme is implied or suggested by the text. Browne and auggie, julian, summer, jack will, and others, giving readers a special peek at their lives after wonder ends.
Fun language arts projects for middle school synonym. I think these themes are the meat and potatoes to young adult literature too. Fresh ideas for creative book reports education world. Less creativebut sometimes very goodwere literal depictions o. Choose a concept or an idea and use the internet to further explore it. Keep a reading journal and record your thoughts at the end of each period of reading. Spice up those old book reports with some new ideas. In planning a book report assignment, a parent should design the experience around one of the following twelve ingredients of novels. Fifty alternatives to the book report teaching ideas william. A quick web search will reveal that there are many ideas out there for creative book reports, but they are not all good ideas. Link your experience to no more than four situations that occurred within the text. Spoiled princess esperanza moves from her familys ranch in mexico to a migrant camp during the great depression. Because this skill is frequently evaluated on state reading tests, it is important that your students identify themes with reasonable reliability.
And it is often the hardest element for a middle schooler to identify in a book. In chapter 1, he has suggested a wealth of type one. Here are 22 creative book report ideas designed to make reading. Choose a theme or topic from the novel you just read and write the column from the point of view of one of the characters. Here are 72 fun and creative ways for your students to show what they know.
If the desired learning objective is for students to. Fun and creative book report ideas for middle school. These will work for almost any book and are especially good when students are reading independent book selections. You will receive a grade for this template and for the report see points next to each item. Create a mobile using the four story elements setting, character, plot, theme. As we all know, students already get plenty of tests, so why not let your students show what they learned creatively. Text to self is a great opportunity for students to become introspective. Check out these ideas you can try in a middle school classroom. Consequently, some students have a difficult time identifying themes. In the way of all teacher jokes, this line usually elicits. Book report ideas notes, handouts, powerpoints varsity tutors. Arts sanborn central school forestburg, sd middle school book reports.
If you like using computers ask your teacher if you can create a powerpoint. Twelve assignments every middle school student should write. Using a large recycled water or soda bottle, have your students create projects based on the famous person that they read about. Book report ideas free english learning and teaching resources from varsity tutors. Creative writing prompts are the missing link all writers needwhether youre writing for fun or looking to write an amazing novel and live full time off your fiction writing like students in our fundamentals of fiction program picture this. Topics include what it is, how a subject differs from a theme, how theme is a model of the real world, how to find a theme, and. Be a tv or radio reporter, and give a report of a scene from the book as if it is happening live. On the bottom piece of bread, the student drew a favorite scene from the story. Focus on a specific topic and report your groups conclusion to the class. Setting, which consists of time and place point of view, which should get the student busy in identifying the authors choice of person. Lead a small group discussion with other readers of the same book.
My students, for example, did projects like painting a picture of the book. If its fiction, students can dissect plot, theme, and characters. Do your students grumble every time you mention the words book reports. In the spirit of movie trailers, book trailers allow students to create video advertisements to entice new readers. Students could design a tattoo for a character and then write an essay explaining or justifying their choices. This companion book features conversations between mr. Book report ideas 20 ways of looking at the book these activities address multiple intelligences and a range of student ability levels. Then, write a twopage report to share what you learned about the topic. If its nonfiction, they can plunge into a subject that fascinates them or learn a lot about. The best books for middle school according to my students. For example if innocence is used throughout your book you could use a babys cradle as your base. Brownes essays and correspondence are rounded out by a precept for each day of the yeardrawn. In 2010 i wrote a blog post, creating a middle school classroom library, mentioning my philosophy behind creating a library that inspires lifelong readers and writers.
You can buy a premade doll cradle, make one from paper, or get even more creative using materials you find. This quarter you will prepare and present to your class a book report project about an ar book you have read. Write an obituary for one of the characters in the book. As you read the book, fill in the sections for this template. See more ideas about teaching, middle school and middle school classroom. Rewrite the book for a kindergarten or 1st grade audience. Fun writing prompts for middle schoolers middle school writing skills are essential to building a solid educational foundation in children.
In wonder, readers were introduced to memorable english teacher mr. The book report activity is meant to polish up the analyzing and creative senses in students and hence a must done. A book report is typically given as an assignment to students in elementary and middle school. These book report alternatives focus on characterization. For this report you may choose from any of the ideas listed on the following pages.