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Students sign up for a serial killer of their choice to do a project or book report on.
The book report is an individual activity, but the project can be done in pairs.
Serial Killers to choose from
Note: This is a force-copy link, but I will update this doc as I find more books or documentaries for each serial killer. Please check back for updates. When you choose make a copy, it will make your own editable copy of the serial killer list.
pdf version of serial killer list
Note: This is a force copy link. When you choose make a copy, it will make your own editable copy of the serial killer sign up sheet.
pdf version of serial killer sign up sheet
Do not let anyone choose Albert Fish. They always regret it. He's too much.
I welcome suggestions to add to the list (both serial killers and good books or documentaries that are not too disturbing for high school students to read). Please email suggestions to: thesceneofthecrimeforensics@gmail.com
How to get true crime books
I have a "True Crime Library" and students can check the books out from me. I have read almost all of the books. I like to have multiple copies of the really good books.
I buy my true crime books mostly at thrift stores and used book stores.
I have also sent out all-staff emails asking for true crime book donations. There are always a few true crime fans on the staff. A local used book store donated about 2 bags of books to me, to support local schools. You can also request book donations on neighborhood platforms like Nextdoor.com or from your local library.
Students may want to buy their own books. In that case, I always recommend local bookstores to my students.
The Project- Slideshow or poster and a presentation to the class.
Note: The Google Doc links are force copy links. When you choose make a copy, it will make your own editable copy of the project requirements.
Is it better to do a project or a book report?
That depends on your students, how much time you have, and whether you're reading another book.
I usually use the book Death's Acre second semester, so I would assign the book report first semester.
To assign the book report, I recommend having them sign up the first or second week of school, so that they have enough time to read the book.
If this were a shorter unit, maybe in between big ideas, I'd do it as the project rather than the book report.
The benefit of the project & presentation is that the students really enjoy hearing about all the different serial killers.
Note for 2022: Things have been a little different since Covid & remote school. My students have had trouble getting back into school and managing homework. We're re-learning academic habits. If I were to do this with my students right now, I would assign the project rather than the book report, because it's a little more manageable for many of them than reading the whole book. OR you could assign the book report as extra credit or optional for those that are ready for the challenge.
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