Classroom reads can be some of the favorite things in class for students. Everyone loves the moments in class where they get to listen to the novel unfold day by day. What is even greater is when you get to experience it in so many different formats.
- Class read alouds
- Small group reads
- Silent sustained reading
- Teacher led readings
- Audio books
After the book is done though, students dread the two follow up assignments that usually happen. An essay, worksheet set, a boring book report or a discussion. Nothing kills a student’s excitement for a story faster than a boring capstone assignment. Here are four projects that will keep students engaged and help them remember the story for years to come.
1. Diary Entries
Once the story is done, have students create a diary that belongs to one of the characters in the book. Students can decorate the diary and alter it in ways to show that it belongs to their character. This can be a fun way for students to identify with their favorite characters and re-imagine their favorite scenes from the book. A way to extend this project is to have students create their diary entries for after the events in the book have finished.
2. The End of the Story
This activity can be popular for books with controversial endings or for students who aren’t satisfied with the ending of a story. Have students take the last chapter of the book and rewrite it in the manner that they think the story should end in. This offers students a chance to flex their creative muscles and challenge themselves to create an ending that feels like it belongs with the novel they just read.
3. Character Relationship Web
This project can be one that gets a little chaotic but it allows for students to show their understanding of both characters in the story and the relationships they have with each other. Each student or a group of students work together to create a physical representation of one of the characters in the story. This physical representation allows the students to show close reading skills by modeling their character after their:
- Physical attributes in the story
- Wardrobe choices made in the story
After the physical representation is complete allow students to tape their pictures along the walls of the classroom and then have them stretch string, tape or yarn between the character and label what type of relationship the characters share. For advanced students have them write down examples from the book to support the way they are labeling the relationship.
4. Cereal Box Book Report
Doing a Cereal box book report is a fun way to take a book report and transform it into something fun. Students are allowed to create a cereal based on the book they just read and decorate their cereal box accordingly. Instead of the regular nutrition information and other activities on a box of cereal students can replace it with details on the setting and characters.
