Mrs. Berner’s 4th Grade Book Project
8/27/2012
All 4th grade students will complete a year-long book project that will involve several elements and include deadlines and specific genres. This project covers many curricular areas and also encourages time management, an important skill for everyone to learn! Students will learn about different genres, they discover self-selecting books is a challenge they can master, they learn to critique books and read with a reviewer’s eye and complete a variety of fun activities. I will be looking for these books to be used as homework reading. Please remember, there are 2 assignments due with each book.
Assignment: You will write a 1-2 page review/summary, typed and double spaced with each book. Presentation and creativity will be rewarded, as always. Buying fancy stuff will not. If you do not have a computer at home, you will be able to type in my class or technology. We can work it out.
First book: Fiction- You will select and read a fiction book about an animal, examples include My Dog Skip, Shiloh, Black Beauty, etc… You will write a 1-2 page, typed book review about that book (see handout for format of book review). In addition to your book review, you will research and find an animal fable you enjoy. You will write a script to be handed in and perform your skit for class live-action, a puppet show or a PowerPoint with illustrations. You may also make a movie of your fable. The more creative your presentation, the better your grade will be. J Due Oct. 5
Second book: Choice of Book and project. Learning to self-select books is an important process for young readers. Students should read about something that is interesting to them. There will be many project ideas listed on the blog. This project requires a 1-2 page book review and a choice of project. This book review and project are due Jan. 2
Third book: Auto/biography- Students will select a book about a famous person that interests them and read and write a 1-2 page typed review of the book. The project for this book will be to write an epic poem about their person’s life and a portrait. The poem should be a substantial piece and thoughtfully written for full points. Due March 12
Fourth Book: Non-fiction: The topic of your non-fiction book will be about one of the elements of earth; earth, wind, fire, and water. You may use come leniency on the topic, for example, a book about hurricanes will count as wind, a book about trees will count as earth, etc… Students will create an informational poster about their element and share it with classmates. In addition, students will write a 1-2 page, typed book review. Due May 6.
This project requires you to maintain a schedule and keep organized! If you find yourself falling behind, get help! I am happy to offer book and project suggestions, if you ask when there is still time to fix it. I will not extend these deadlines. Ask questions now, please. This handout contains the due dates and assignments for book reports and projects. Keep at home. Do not lose this!
Format for Book Review for Book
Reports
Typed
12 point font
Times New Roman font ONLY
Double-spaced
I
Brief summary of the book, 1 paragraph (5-7 sentences)
II
Beginning of Book
Include initial impressions or 1st thoughts,
predictions, exciting “grab-you” beginning?
Or lifeless, wimpy start? Highlights of book, as well as lowlights of
book? 1 paragraph
III
Middle of Book
Include whether or not the book is losing steam, or revving
up? Did the book get more interesting or begin to bore you? 1 paragraph
VI
End of the Book
Include whether or not the story/book ended with a bang or a
whimper, 1 paragraph
V
Wrap it up
Do you recommend the book? To whom? Why? Did you learn
anything? Think anything new? Was the vocabulary challenging or too easy? Was
the book age appropriate? Were some parts better than others? 1 sentence that sums it all up.1-2 paragraphs
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