As a student teacher I've come across some good ideas that make traditional Language Arts projects seem more fun. Students seem to appreciate the opportunity to be creative with their homework assignments as well as the fact that the instructor is trying to keep things interesting. One common assignment that could use a tune-up is the dreaded book report. Rather than focusing the project on a basic summary, students should be given a number of choices in how to demonstrate their understanding of the text. Listed below is a variety of ways a student can complete a non-traditional book report. These are project ideas my master teacher has used, to great effect, in the classroom.
- Make a list of 15 gifts each major character might want for a birthday or holiday. After each item, explain why each character would want those items.
- Make a coffee can into a garbage can and fill the can with things you would find in the main character's trash. Explain why someone rummaging through the main character's garbage might find these objects on a separate piece of paper (2-3 paragraphs).
- Make a timeline to show important events in the story. Include pictures and brief summaries of the events.
- Use the story to create a CD. Create your own 10-song CD with titles relating to the theme of the story. Design a CD jacket and cover that displays the songs you've chosen as well as the name of the CD. The songs you choose must be real songs from actual musical artists. On a separate piece of paper, write a short summary for why you've chosen each song.
- Assemble a cast for a movie version of the book. Imagine that you have to choose actors and actresses to portray the characters in the book. As the casting director for the movie you must provide a written statement on why you've chosen each person to portray the characters from the story. Provide pictures of the movie stars with your list.
- Write five diary entries that the main character might have written. Entries must be at least half a page each.
- Pretend you are conducting an interview with a character from your book. Write the interview questions you would ask and answer them in the way you think he or she would respond to them. The interview must be at least two pages in length.
