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I can remember the day when my third grade student asked when we were going to do another book report because he thought they were so much fun. FUN! I thought I was the only one who enjoyed these lessons. When I discussed this with my class they explained that these reports were not like the "typical" assignments and they enjoyed creating them.

Hopefully these lessons will work with your students.

- Paper bag puppets The assignment was to select a chapter book with an interesting main character. They had to select a character they felt they understood very well. The first step was to answer questions about their character in writing. Questions about the character's personality, appearance, and what their role was in the story were answered by each student. They then took a brown paper bag and added artistic embellishments of any kind. They could use paint, crayons, glue on paper or fabric, or even attach actual clothing...depending on the size of the puppet. When the class presented their character and explained their role in the story to the class, the students felt they were part of a theatrical play. For those children who were more shy, a simple presentation was fine and then all of the puppets were placed on display in the classroom.

- Biography dress up reports. When I introduced the idea of finding facts about famous Americans to my class I explained that their job was to select someone you never heard of before from a list I provided to the class. The list included men and women from all walks of life; such as Thomas Edison, Patrick Henry, Harriet Tubman, Elizabeth Blackwell, and Molly Pitcher. The written report included questions about what their person did to be so remembered? They also had to tell me what would they ask this American if they were introduced. Afterwards, they had to dress up as that character and come to the class ready for a one-on-one interview with me. Whether they were all dressed up in a precise outfit created by their parents, or whether I helped create their costume with make-up and paper the best part was listening to them speak in the voice of their character.

- How to...report. This was such an unusual report format. The children selected a book about how to bake a food, how to create a model, how to make jewelry, or how to design origami figures. This works well with a class whose parents are available to assist in the purchase of materials, and creation of the object. Their written assignment was to tell the class what materials/ingredients were needed and what steps has to be taken to create their finished product. This was an excellent way for the children to see why careful step by step sequencing is vital to creating a good final product. The class and I enjoyed eating the tasty treats they made.

Book Reports can be exciting, inventive, and fun...just by using alittle imagination. These formats allow for the highly creative and academically superior students to find their measure of expression and it is also a format which can meet the needs of your more difficult learner who needs assistance. Everyone participates and everyone feels important as they display their unique reports.

Learn more about this author, Felicia Arnold.
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