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Teaching Alternatives: Book Reports

As a part of my elementary school's annual community-building program, students in all grades (which, for us, meant Kindergarten through 5th Grade) were asked to read the same short novel at home. Now, I know that sounds odd, considering the average kindergartener is likely at a lower reading level than the average fifth grader. However, with the option to have your parent or guardian read the story with you at home, I assure you that I was able to make it through some higher level reading with little trouble.

By participating in year-round activities as a whole school, students were able to relate to each other across grade levels, all because they had read the same book and had followed the same characters. I will never forget how excited I was when I won a dictionary (Yes, a dictionary... I'd be less excited now, too) for answering the most trivia questions correctly about The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs.



Though, if I had one complaint about the school- wide reading experience, it would be that students ended the year with a dreaded book report.

After a year of fun-filled activities, I couldn't help but wonder Why do I have to write a report on the ideas we have repeatedly assessed all year?  Students had the opportunity to learn about the book through exciting activities, and each of the activities focused on different learning styles. How would an underwhelming, rigid book report benefit any of us?

While the traditional book report offers students an opportunity to explore characters, themes, and other aspects of a book, not all students benefit from the general format of a book report. Diana Mitchell's "Fifty Alternatives to the Book Report" summarizes a collection of unique approaches to book reports that every teacher should have in their tool box, including my personal favorite: File a complaint.

The "File a complaint" alternative to a book report allows students to think critically about the work they have read on several levels. Students can reflect on how they related to a plot by writing a "complaint" about the portrayal of a character, the representation of certain themes, ideas, or identities, and/ or the strong influence of a particular bias. By offering solutions to remedy portrayals they found inaccurate or biased, students are not only challenged to review the text in relation to its larger context, but also to evaluate their own beliefs and participate in the revision process.

There are countless resources available for teachers to freshen up traditional school projects. With the increasing use of technology, offering students the chance to create a website, blog, or digital portfolio is one of many ways traditional ideas can be modernized in the classroom. As I learn more about curriculum and teaching strategies, I look forward to discovering more teaching alternatives that will keep my future students interested and involved with their learning.
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  1. NicoleMarch 27, 2018 at 11:51 AM

    I like the approach you took to this post. It's not your typical book report which is refreshing. As teachers, we can offer room for choice in sharing knowledge on books we read in the classroom. There are so many fun and exciting ways to get students engaged in reading!

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