BOOK REPORT Extraordinaire! For Independent Reading 6-9 (Standards-Aligned)

Book Report Extraordinaire for Independent Reading offers students the choice of 3 book response assignments designed for different learning styles. Students demonstrate comprehension of their independent novel while also practicing Common Core writing skills.

The 3 assignment choices are

Choice A: Reader’s Journal – For this topic choice, a reader divides the novel into 5 equal segments using sticky notes. The reader stops at each interval to recall key events and provide reactions.

Choice B: Character Journal – For this topic choice, a reader stops periodically to write a narrative in first person point of view. The reader must cite key events, details, thoughts, and feelings from the perspective of the character.

Choice C: Book Analysis – For this topic choice, a reader reads the entire novel first. Then the reader responds to 5 topics based on literary elements, applying them to the book from beginning to end using text-based details.

All 3 assignments require students to submit 5 entries over the course of the novel.

The book report is DIFFERENTIATED in several ways. The struggling readers will find success with CHOICE A, the Reader’s Journal. They read one segment of a book and stop to respond while the events are still fresh in their minds. CHOICE B, the Character Journal, is also an assignment where students can complete the response work as they are reading the book—they stop at various intervals to write the entries. This assignment appeals to a more creative thinker who enjoys assuming a persona and also providing visuals. CHOICE C, the Book Analysis (the most popular choice for my students), works when a student prefers to read through the entire book and then sit down to complete the book response. Students with the higher level reading skills are able to recall the information even after completing the entire novel and can apply literary terms to the action in a novel.

THIS RESOURCE INCLUDES:

1. TOPICS AND DIRECTIONS - Student-friendly handouts describing the requirements for all 3 book response options (4 pages)

2. MENTOR TEXTS - A sample page for each of the 3 assignments (3 pages)

3. STUDENT SELF-EVALUATION CHECKLIST AND TEACHER GRADE SHEET – Print back-to-back for easy grading! Students self-evaluate their work before turning it in. The teacher grading section contains banks of comments in a checklist style and space for a holistic grade. (2 pages)

4. TEACHER GUIDELINES for implementing and grading (2 pages)

COMMON CORE ALIGNMENT:

The Book Report Extraordinaire aligns to the Common Core Writing Standards: Choice A and C: W.2 Students write informative and explanatory text to convey ideas through selecting, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

Choice B: W.3 Students write narratives to develop experiences of a character

The assignments also align to the Common Core Reading Standards for Literature:

R L.1 Students cite textual evidence that supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

I love using this Book Report for my reading Workshop! Students are able to truly engage in reading and demonstrate their understanding through one of these 3 assignment choices. Students enjoy stopping to create a journal entry while others stay right with their book until the end.

Please open the PREVIEW to get a closer look. This resource downloads as a PDF. (One page of "general requirements for all 3 assignments" is included in editable Word format.)

Thanks! --Joy Sexton

Check out some of my other Independent Reading resources by clicking below:

Reader’s Journal for Independent Reading DIGITAL – Google Drive or Microsoft

Book Report: Two-Part Book Response for Independent Novels – Middle School

MINI-BOOK FOLDABLE for Independent Novels – Grades 5-6-7-8

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