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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Book Reports

I'm not a big fan of book reports because I don't want kids to dread reading because they know they have a report coming. I also don't want to burden younger grades with too much writing. When I was in school, I thought the format took an exciting book and didn't do it justice (just making it boring).

I do like book reports because when I'm not available to discuss with the kids each book they've read, I'd like them to reflect on it. I also sometimes just need a small writing assignment and it seems to fit in how easy they are to do.

Here are some of my favorite book report ideas:
  • Find a critic's review of the book and write a comparison/contrast from your perspective
  • Compare / contrast yourself with the main character
  • Make a list of 10-15 rules to live by that the main character lives by. Compare this to a list of rules others want him to live by. What is the outcome?
  • Make a test (and answer key) for the book
  • Put yourself in the role of main character. What would have been different?
  • Tell what way this book has added to your life? What have you learned? What have you discovered about yourself or others?
  • Write an alternate ending for the book
  • Do a character sketch (give the moral, emotional, emotional, physical and circumstantial characteristics of one of the people in the book).
  • Explain why you would or would not want to live in a world presented by the author
  • Write a jeopardy game / questions about the book
  • Plan a party with a theme based on the book.
If these aren't enough, do a google search for "creative book report ideas."
I also liked this link.

1 comment:

  1. Have you ever had your kids keep a character or story journal? Maybe if you don't use the term "book report", it won't seem so boring. Mary
    started one her first year of being homeschooled, but in my overwhelmed flakiness, I lost it, and we haven't done it since. I'm thinking of starting the boys on one this year, though. Love those ideas
    you listed, too.

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