Book Report Options

Book Report Options – 4th Grade ELA

The following eight options may be used throughout the year for required book reports. Each book report must be a different choice, so keep this sheet in the Reading Section of your binder. Check off and date each one as you use it and turn this page in with your project each time. Whichever option you choose, remember that you must include the main character, setting, problem and solution of the story. You may use any recent book that you have read and written about in your Reader’s Response Journal.

  • Summary—three paragraph explanatory essay with one paragraph describing the characters, one paragraph describing the settings, and one paragraph explaining the beginning, middle, and end of the story. This option is simply turned in to the teacher. _______
  • Review—three paragraph opinion essay. In the first paragraph, explain the story line and share your thoughts and feelings about it. In the second paragraph, share your opinion about the author’s style of writing, giving examples. In the third paragraph, describe who you think would and would not like it and why. This option is simply turned in to the teacher. _______
  • Seven Haiku—one about setting, two about different characters, three about different major events, one about the conclusion. Note: Haiku have 3 lines. Line 1 has 5 syllables, line 2 has 7 syllables, and line 3 has 5 syllables. No title and no rhyming. Please make sure the title and author of book is on the first page. This option will be displayed in the 4th grade pod. _______
  • Illustrations—five full-page color, detailed illustrations done by hand with captions including one from the beginning of the book, three major events from the middle, and one from the conclusion of the book. Please be sure you include the title and author on top of the first illustration, or on a cover page. This option will be displayed in the 4th grade pod. Note: cannot be done with a graphic novel and must be your original artwork. _______
  • Flowchart—create a 12-15 step simple flowchart that shows the sequence of events from beginning to end of book using brief descriptions. Note: 8 ½ x 11 paper only, hand drawn/written or on a computer. This option will be displayed in the 4th grade pod. _______
  • Soundtrack—create a five song soundtrack with clips (no more than 40 seconds each) from different songs to fit the mood and events of the beginning, middle and end of book. Be prepared to present soundtrack on flash drive or via an iPod/iPhone, etc., by briefly explaining events and their connections to song clips. You can use notecards but you are not required to turn in any written paper. _______
  • Building—using material of your choice, create a 3-D structure that shows the beginning, middle and end of the book in three separate scenes. Be prepared to orally present with an explanation of what you have built. This will also be displayed in the 4th grade pod. You can use note cards but you are not required to turn in any written paper. _______
  • Game—create a board game that includes characters, setting, and several obstacles the main character faces. Include the objective of the game and the rules. Regardless of how the game is won, be sure the victory shows the final solution (conclusion) of the book. You may use tokens from another game, as long as you identify them as characters with stickers, etc. The game board should reflect the setting. You will present the game to the class and it will be available for playing during recess. _______