A Creative Book Report!

by Kristin Woolums, M.Ed.

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We recently featured Kristin’s outstanding ideas for a creative novel study, using From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Franweiler by E. L. Konigsburg with her fifth-grade class. Below is the study’s culminating project, called a “Summary-by-Chapter” book report. Check out this great idea, which can be applied to any book or novel!

A “summary-by-chapter” book report asks students to create a book report with a few sentences and visual representations summarizing each of the story’s chapters (see attached detail sheet and grading rubric). This is the catch: I leave the assignment fairly open-ended, telling students that they can use whatever materials they’d like to create their visuals.

Whenever I assign this project, the students’ creativity is always so phenomenal! Besides receiving traditional book report formats, I’ve received pop-up books, PowerPoint presentations, display boards, and even a cardboard box divided into 10 sections with a clay representation of each chapter!

Additionally, in the review of the story, they are always very excited about sharing their favorite part of the book, their favorite character, and if they’d recommend the novel to a friend (a resounding ‘yes!’ for From the Mixed-Up Files). I was so excited about how my students reacted to this project; they really got into it!

If you’re looking for a creative way to end a literature study, try this one…and see where your students’ imaginations take them!

Kristin M. Woolums, M. Ed., teaches fifth grade at a private school in Atlanta and works at The School Box at Southlake during the summer months.

Anatomy of a Creative Novel Study

by Kristin Woolums, M.Ed.

A creative study based on From the Mixed-Up files of Mrs. Basil E. Franweiler

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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg is a Newbery Award-winning novel about two children who run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The story combines adventure and comedy, and each year, my 5th graders eagerly tell me how much they love it!

Originally published in 1968, one might think that it wouldn’t appeal to today’s youth, but here’s how I foster a love of a novel that’s over 40 years old:

A Virtual Field Trip

Early in the story, the lead characters, Claudia and Jamie, run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I take my students to the computer lab for a virtual field trip to see the sights that Claudia and Jamie would have seen (www.metmuseum.org). The website allows students to see priceless pieces of art that they perhaps would never get to see, so I allow them to browse through the many pieces shown online. Click here for a printable sheet about the virtual tour.

The students supply a few details about their favorite pieces, including a rough sketch, which they record on a note-taking guide (click here to print it). We discuss the proper way to react to art and that there are many pieces that showcase the human body in tastefully, yet unclothed, ways (just a head’s up!).

A Great Debate

There are several ethical decisions that Claudia and Jamie encounter throughout the story:

o Stealing money from the museum’s fountain so they could eat

o Sneaking around and lying so they wouldn’t get caught living in the museum

o Worrying their parents by running away

Each student chooses whether they thought the action was justified or not, and in a traditional debate setting, we civilly discuss the matter at hand. This makes for some very teachable moments, and the students love this!

A Creative Culmination

To end the study, the students participate in a creative “summary-by-chapter” book report. A post describing all of the details about this creative project, including a rubric, is coming next on A Learning Experience. The best part is that this idea can be adapted to any novel!

This wonderful and timeless adventure about two children running away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is chock full of adventure, comedy, and a sense of family as Claudia and Jamie learn to survive in the real world. My students enjoy the novel, and I hope Ms. Konigsburg is happy that I’ve taken her exciting novel to the next level by interjecting classroom reading with a virtual field trip, a debate, and a creative book report project!

Kristin’s Chapter-by-Summary book report idea (including a rubric) is coming next on A Learning Experience!

Kristin M. Woolums, M. Ed., teaches fifth grade at a private school in Atlanta and works at The School Box at Southlake during the summer months.

Books for Reluctant Readers, Part IV: Sixth Grade

Welcome to a new series on finding books for reluctant readers! This four-part series will be divided by grade level, from kindergarten through sixth grades. For books for K-2, click here. For books for grades 3-4, click here. For 5th grade, click here. by Elizabeth Cossick, M.Ed.

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Let’s face it. Most middle schoolers (especially boys) are not thinking much about books. They’re  thinking about how they look. Or how she looks (especially boys). But, this is actually prime time to get these students hooked on an engaging author. The key? A relatable main character who experiences action, suspense, humor or (appropriate) romance. Here are some great teacher-selected, adolescent-approved titles:

The Magician’s Nephew by C. S. Lewis

Turn Homeward, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Holes by Louis Sachar

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

The Cay by Theodore Taylor

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Books for Reluctant Readers, Part III: Fifth Grade

Welcome to a new series on finding books for reluctant readers! This four-part series will be divided by grade level, from kindergarten through sixth grades. For books for K-2, click here. For books for grades 3-4, click here.  by Elizabeth Cossick, M.Ed.

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Fifth grade is the grade when I discovered my first true literary love: The Babysitter’s Club. For the next three years, this series would provide my staple reading material; I seldom went anywhere without a copy in hand! The list of books below will hopefully provide the same love-at-first-read experience for a fifth-grader in your life. (Tip: This might be a good list to share with parents or send home for recommended summer reading, as well.)

Favorite Titles:

Jack Black and the Ship of Thieves by Carol Hughes

Perloo the Bold by Avi

Wild Man Island by Will Hobbs

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

Mr. Tucket by Gary Paulson

The Janitor’s Boy by Andrew Clements

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques

Flight of the Eagles by Gilbert Morris

Door to the Dragon’s Throat by Frank Peretti

Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

School Story by Andrew Clements

Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

Will You Sign Here, John Hancock? By Jean Fritz

The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars Blue

Willow by Doris Gates

Jason’s Gold by Will Hobbs

Call It Courage by Armstrong Sperry

Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech

Dear Levi: Letters from the Overland Trail by Elvira Woodruff

Call Me Francis Tuckett by Gary Paulsen

A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer

Because of Winn Dixie by Katie DiCamillo

Series/Authors:

The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien

Trailblazer fictionalized biography series by Dave and Neta Jackson

The Seven Sleepers series by Gilbert Morris

Dear America and My Name Is America series by various authors

Star Wars and The New Jedi Order young adult fantasy series by Paul Davids and various authors

Any children’s books by:

• Katherine Paterson

• C.S. Lewis

• Gilbert Morris

Coming next in the series~ Part IV: Sixth Grade Book Picks

Books for Reluctant Readers, Part II: Third-Fourth Grades

Welcome to a new series on finding books for reluctant readers! This four-part series will be divided by grade level, from kindergarten through sixth grades. by Elizabeth Cossick, M.Ed.

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There is a plethora of fantastic kid lit for children ages 8-10. In fact, I take it as a personal insult if I ever hear a child in third or fourth grades say that they hate to read. Nonsense! They just haven’t been introduced to some of these outstanding books, below. This list contains a book for nearly every personality and reading preference out there; I promise! (Tip: This might be a good list to share with parents or send home for recommended summer reading.)

Favorite Titles:

The King’s Equal by Katherine Paterson
Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant
Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
Stuart Little by E.B. White
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
Tucker’s Countryside by George Seldon
Chester Cricket’s New Home by George Seldon
Ralph S. Mouse by Beverly Clearly
Ramona Forever & Ramona’s World by Beverly Clearly
Skinnybones by Barbara Park
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key by Jack Gantos
Because of Winn-Dixie by Katie DiCamillo
A View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Series/Authors:

Mandie series by Lois Gladys Leppard
Cul-de-Sac Kids series by Beverly Lewis
American Girl series by Susan Adler, et al
Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobel
Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne
The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Cooper Kids Adventures series by Frank Peretti
Trailblazer fictionalized biography series by Dave and Neta Jackson
Any books by:
• Laura Ingalls Wilder • Bill Myers • Beverly Cleary • Andrew Clements

Next in the series~ Part III: Fifth Grade Book Picks

Books for Reluctant Readers, Part I: Kindergarten-Second Grade

Welcome to a new series on finding books for reluctant readers! This four-part series will be divided by grade level, from kindergarten through sixth grades. by Elizabeth Cossick, M.Ed.

Leave a comment on this post and be entered to win a $20 School Box Gift Card. One comment from this post WILL win!

I firmly believe that every child can and should love to read. If you have a reluctant reader on your hands, the key is to connect him or her to the right author or book.

Here are some great picks for your youngest readers:

I’ll Always Be Your Friend by Sam McBratney

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobell

The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble

Hedgie’s Surprise by Jan Brett

Mr. Pine’s Mixed-Up Signs by Leonard Kessler

Poppleton Everyday by Cynthia Rylant

Series/Authors

Marvin Redpost series by Louis Sachar

Arthur books by Marc Brown

Amelia Bedelia books by Peggy Parish

Cul-de-Sac Kids series by Beverly Lewis

Boxcar Children series by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Any books by: Dr. Seuss • Cynthia Rylant • Syd Hoff • Eric Carle

Next in the series~ Part II: Third-Fourth Grade Book Picks

How to Use Those Parent Volunteers!

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by Sandra Jacoby

In most classroom, the teacher to student ratio is 1 : 25…or maybe even 1 : 30. If a teacher is really lucky, she may have an aide’s help for brief intervals during the day, but essentially, as teachers, we are on our own with our students. Which can leave us scratching our heads at the end of the day, asking: Did I really meet the needs of ALL of my students? Chances are, you will always feel like one of them could have used an extra boost.

This is where classroom volunteers come in.

Extra Support for Struggling Students

Having a classroom volunteer during the school day is helpful on so many levels.  They can read to the students or help them with homework or projects, allowing the teacher time to work more closely with students who need some extra support.  Of course, the teacher is still responsible for everything that goes on in the classroom; volunteers aren’t babysitters. But chances are good that the class will be more productive and better behaved with extra adult supervision while you pull students aside for extra guidance.

More Opportunities for Social Interactions

A class volunteer can provide more than just academic support; students can benefit from his or her presence socially, as well. Plan games or interactive activities for the time with the volunteer–activities like an outdoor scavenger hunt during science or group work on a messy project. These activities might seem overwhelming or “more trouble than they’re worth” when you’re alone, but they’re much more manageable and enjoyable with an extra adult around.

Every Parent Makes a Great Volunteer

Any parent willing to be in your classroom is going to make a great volunteer. Never turn away a qualifying parent, but rather, provide structured ways they can help. Be sure you have a specific plan for what they will be doing in the classroom so that they feel productive and you feel in control of your class. These days, it is especially great to have male volunteers.  So many children today are lacking positive male role models–particularly in an educational setting.  If you can recruit a daddy or two, more power to you!

Recruit Early and  Often

The easiest way to recruit volunteers is to post a sign-up sheet at the beginning of the year (during orientation or open house), where parents can note that they’re interested in volunteering. Then, don’t be afraid to call or e-mail them to ask for help!

Since it’s obviously well into the school year right  now, you can still recruit volunteers. Send home a note with a detachable bottom portion that says: “We could use a helping hand in the classroom!” Then, list several areas of help that parents can check, such as: reading to students, having students read to you, assisting during projects or art time, accompanying us to the playground, cutting and posting bulletin board materials, and helping students while they work at their desks.

Remember, you may be the only adult in your classroom, but this doesn’t mean you have to go it alone! You have a whole brood of parents who love their kiddos and would gladly lend a hand if they knew you needed help.

Sandra Jacoby is a teacher in Texas who enjoys the challenges and rewards of teaching her pre-kindergarten class.

100 Days Celebration Ideas!

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You have completed 100 days of school! Your students are well on their way (if not already there) to being able to count to 100 with no help at all.  Now, how do you make a day out of it?

Here are a few (not quite 100 :-) ideas for pre-K and Kindergarten teachers to celebrate this grand accomplishment:

1. Make hats with a giant 100 on them for everyone to wear all day.
2. Invite a 100-year-old person to your celebration as the guest of honor.
3. If you don’t know any centurions, have a staff member dress up as an elderly person during your fete and share some researched facts about our country 100 years ago.
4. Send home a zip-top bag and instruct the parents to help their children count out and collect 100 small items from around the house to fill the bag. Examples: uncooked rice, beans or pasta; coins; Q-tips; spare buttons; paper clips, etc. Display the returned baggies in the hallway or on a bulletin board for all to see!
5. Send home a note, asking the parents to help the child bring in a photograph and/or name and age of their oldest living relative. Cheer for the child with the relative closest to 100!
6. To follow up all of the 100 Days hoopla, invite all of the children to dress as dalmatians tomorrow…to celebrate day 101!

Adapted from ideas submitted by Sandra Jacoby, a pre-kindergarten teacher in Texas.

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