Education Tools for 6th – 8th Graders

Review the information below.

Submit book reports by the DUE DATES on your syllabus.

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BOOK REPORT FORM

http://riversidemiddleschool.com/SummeReadingReportForm.doc

Name ________________________                    Date ___________________

Book Title (Underline the title): _____________________________________

Author _______________________          Number of Pages __________

Check the type of book:

          ______Historical                                         ______Fantasy

          ______Humor                                              ______Sports

          ______Sci Fi                                              ______Adventure

          ______Biography                                         ______Romance

          ______Horror                                             ______Western

          ______Autobiography                                  ______Non-Fiction

          ______Mystery

Name the main character(s) and provide a description in one sentence.

Summarize the novel (5-8 sentences.  Include a topic sentence, sentences that contain supporting details, and a closing sentence). Use additional lined paper if necessary.

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http://www.homeworkspot.com/features/bookreports.htm

The Standard Format

• Introductory Paragraph
  This paragraph should include the title of the book and name of the author. It will also describe the setting and quickly summarize what the book is about. Don’t get too detailed here. It’s just the introduction.
• Body Paragraphs
  This is where the real content enters the picture. By reading this part of your book report (three to four paragraphs), your teacher will be able to determine whether you read the book and understood the story.
  Start by describing the main characters of the story. Then, describe the conflict. Common conflicts include man vs. man, man vs. nature and man vs. himself. Your book may present a different kind of conflict. Describe it in detail.

  The remaining body paragraphs should summarize the plot and describe how it relates to the conflict. Begin with the rising action, the part of the story where events build. Then describe the climax, where the story reaches its most dramatic or interesting point. The third paragraph should describe the falling action, when the conflict or problem is resolved.

• The Conclusion
  This is an appropriate place to state your personal opinion of the book. What did you think of it? Describe its strengths and weaknesses. Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not? Remember, a winning paper will use examples from the book to back up comments.

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http://www.webenglishteacher.com/20ways.html

20 Ways of Looking at the Book

This list was compiled by Rhona Scoville and
is republished here with her permission.

Complete any five of the assignments below:

1. Summarize the book in poem form with rhyme (minimum 20 lines).
2. Discuss in depth the relevance of the title.
3. Write a letter to the author.
4. Use two other sources to research and write a report on an issue from the book.
5. Write a one minute radio advertisement persuading the public why they should buy and read this book.
6. Research and write a report on the author.
7. Q & A – Pretend you’re interviewing a person from the book. Write your interview in question and answer format.
8. Compare and contrast the book with another you have read.
9. Discuss cause and effect relationships you found in the book.
10. Write an editorial based on a controversial issue in the book.
11. Design a time-line for events in the book.
12. Write a letter to one of the characters in the book.
13. As a literary agent, write a letter to the publishing company designed to persuade them to publish this book.
14. Create a glossary of unfamiliar words and phrases.
15. Choose your favorite passage from the book. Copy it down and discuss what you found appealing about it.
16. Top 10 List – list ten things you learned from this book.
17. You’re the reporter. Write a front page news story or a report live from the scene.
18. Write your own test – a combination of matching, multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay.
19. Journal as you go – As you’re reading the book, keep a two-sided reading journal. The left side should have quotes from the book and page numbers. The right side should have your questions, thoughts, observations, revelations, etc.
20. E-mail partner – Partner up with some who’s reading the same book. Divide the book into four parts. When you’ve read the first quarter, write a letter to your partner about your questions, thoughts, observations, revelations, etc. Your partner is to respond. Do the same for the next three sections of the book. When you finish, print out your letters and responses (each partner is to have four letters and four responses).