Book projects will be assigned for students to complete throughout the school year. A book project is slightly different from a standard book report. Students will not simply right a summary of the book's plot and describe the characters in the story. Instead, students will be asked to think deeper about the book they have read. One project, for example, asks that students collect items from around the house that represents the character in a book. This involves higher-order thinking skills, meaning that students must first apply what they know about story elements by completing the handout and retelling the story. Next, students will analyze the character in the book, then think of items around the house that would clearly represent him/her. In the end, students will evaluate their own presentation and book project.

Completing a book report is a very important skill for fifth graders for several reasons. First, doing so teaches students to plan ahead, or work on long-term projects and plan so that the student is racing to complete the entire project the night before it is due. Second, students practice and enhance a variety of reading skills by completing a project. Word meaning in context, fluency, and comprehension are some of those skills. In addition, students are asked to either write or give a presentation (communication arts skills) with each of the projects. Practice in these skills is very important before moving up to the middle school. As mentioned above, students will apply higher-order thinking skills when completing a project. Finally, students access their creative side when completing a project. For many students, this is really their moment to shine.

Because many students may not have completed a book report recently, I will go through the directions and steps for the first project in class, and help students choose the book that's right for them. In addition, class time will be provided for students to work on each of their projects prior to the due date.