Independent Reading Lists
The more children read, the better readers they become. Click on the link for reading lists by grade level to help choose some good books! Then feel free to choose a book project below.
Recommended Reading Lists
Multicultural Book Resources
Looking for books that reflect the diversity of our nation? Try these sites and click on resources.
We Need Diverse Books
Multicultural Children's Book Day
Book Projects
Book projects are short projects that can be done to extend almost any book. They are great to challenge students and make them think about the books they read. Kids can do them on their own or as a family. Here are a few ideas.
Instructions: Choose one project to do for each book you read. Be creative & have fun! Just make sure your project shows you understood what the book was about.
LEVEL 1:
1. Letter to a Character
Write a letter to a character in the book. (½- 1 page)
2. Setting
Draw the setting of the book (where it takes place). Write 3+sentences about the setting you drew.
3. Song or Cheer
Write a song or a cheer about the book. (½- 1 page)
4. Comic Strip
Turn your book into a comic strip.
5. Sequel
Tell what happens after the book ends. (½- 1 page)
6. Sequence of Events
Make a sequence of events chart for the book.
7. Front and Back Cover
Design a new front and back cover for the book. Draw your own picture on the front. Write your own summary on the back (but don’t tell the ending!).
8. Venn Diagram
Make a venn diagram comparing and contrasting two characters in the book (fiction) or two things you learned about in the book (nonfiction).
9. Character Diary Entry
Pretend you are a character from the book. Tell what happened to you & how you feel about it. (½- 1 page)
10. TV Commercial
Write and perform a TV commercial for your book in front of the class.
LEVEL 2:
2.1 Picture book
Write and illustrate (you can use cut-outs) a full picture book telling the story of your chapter book. Make sure it has a cover.
2.2 Illustrated Time Line
Make an illustrated time line of events in the book; make sure your time-line includes at least 10 events with a two-sentence description and small picture or clipping describing each event.
2.3. Soundtrack
Make a soundtrack for the book by choosing at least 6 popular songs. For each song, explain in at least one sentence why you chose the song and how it relates to the events or characters in the book. (You can use quotes if you want to.)
2.4 Map
Draw a map (in color) of a place in the book. Label important points. Write 6 or more sentences to describe the map and what happens in the important places.
2.5 - Character Diary
Become a character and write a diary with at least 4 entries. Include events from the novel and how you feel about them. Write in the voice of the character (using words they would use.) (1-2 pages)
2.6 - Author Interview
Find and read an interview with the author or a review of the book. Read it and write a summary (attach a copy of the interview.) What surprised you? What didn't surprise you? (1-2 pages)
2.7 Play
Make a play of 2 or more scenes from the book. Video tape it or act it out in front if the class.
2.8 Prequel
What happened first? Write a chapter that comes before the book began. (1-2 pages)