Book Reports

[Leigh]

Help me out here gals & guys. I need to assign my 4th grade students a book report, and I am looking for something fun for them to do instead of the same old written reports. I know about the mobile reports and the shoe box reports, but I was wondering if any of ya'll had any other fun ideas that the children might like to do.

One teacher gave each of her children a wooden spoon and had them read a biography. Then she had them dress the spoon as the person in the biography and write a few points about that person. The problem with me doing that is she supplied the wooden spoon for each child, and I don't have that kind of money. I would have to buy 42 spoons if I did that.

Sorry to ramble, but does anyone have something fun I could do?!?!:\

[AnnW]

Do a biography but have each child dress up to give the presentation.

[Leigh]

Thanks Ann. Do you think that the parents would grip about having to find outfits for their children to wear?

[MaryL]

My ds had to do a "Paper Bag" book report. You had to read the book, and then present the book by pulling items out of the bag that related to the book. It was fun, and everyone enjoyed the suspense. He also did a report last year that was supposed to persuade others to read the book he chose. You could make a poster, design a handout, make bookmarks, some kids gave treats that related to the book. Ds made a list of the top 10 reasons you would like his book (and we made a chart where he could display his answers one at a time...kind of like David Letterman does).

Currently he's working on a "flip book" type of book report. It has to be non-fiction, and he is actually making the book based on facts he's collected by reading about his topic. The top page is 2 1/2" x 11", next page is 4" x 11, next is 5 1/2" x 11, then 7 x 11, and finally 8 1/2 by 11. Each page leads into the next with statements at the bottom like: "You won't believe it, but..." and "I was amazed to learn that..." (and each question is answered on the top of the next page.). Cute idea....he's doing castles as his topic. (He's in 4th grade.)

[Leigh]

Thanks Mary! :) I really like those ideas.

I am probably going to have them do two reports a nine weeks now, so I will get to use yours and Ann's. I can't wait to see the children 's costumes. :) (or their idea of persuasion)