September 2009
Dear Parents,
It is that time again-- time for Book-It! Book-It starts October 1. This
year for Book-It, the third graders only have to read one book and do a
report or project on it, but the book must fulfill certain criteria.
First of all, each month a different type of literature will be read. Thus,
the book must fit into the category for the month. For October, the category
is realistic fiction. Realistic fiction is any book that could have
happened, but is really just made up. Books by Beverly Cleary, (Henry
Huggins, Ribsy, Ramona books), Carolyn Haywood, Matt Christopher, Baby
Sitters Little sisters books are all examples of realistic fiction. The
student may read books from the public or school library, books they already
have at home, books from the book clubs, or books that I have at school in
the crate in the back of the room that fit the category for the month. As
you order Lucky books, you may want to look forward to future months, so you
have books to fit the categories to be read. Each month there will be books
in the crate in my room for that month's type of literature. Future
categories are:
November: Biography of a saint (Must give an oral report)
December: Fantasy (couldn't happen; talking animals, make believe
animals, super people, etc.)
January: Biography (real-life people)
February: Historical fiction (stories that tell about a time in the
past: American Girl books, Laura Ingalls Wilder books, Dear America books--
there is a whole section at the Belleville Public Library and in the school
library)
March: Informational (non-fiction)
April: Mystery
May: Any type of book
Besides fitting the category, the book must have chapters-- not a picture
book. It must have never been read by or to the student before-- a brand new
book of which they've never heard the story. When the student has chosen a
book, they must bring it to school to show me to check if it fits all the
criteria. When I okay it, they may begin reading. NO reading may begin for
the month before the first day of that month.
The students may choose to write a book report (I have forms) or do one of
the projects listed on the attached sheet except in November-- everyone must
give an oral report.. They may do each project only once. All
projects/reports are due on the last school day of the month. Any project in
which the child must perform for the class must be done BEFORE the last week
of the month. EVERY child MUST do a report or project each month.
If you have any questions, just come and see me, and I'll try to answer them.
Alternatives for Book Reports
1. Make a puppet that looks like your favorite character.
2. Use a box to make a parade float about the story.
3.Make a book jacket for the book which also includes a summary of the book.
4. Draw a comic strip of your favorite part.
5. Make a model of something in the story and be able to explain what it has
to do with the story.
6. Use magazine photos to make a collage about the story.
7. Make a mobile about the story.
8. Make a time line of the story's important events.
9. Make a mini-book about the story.
10. Practice and then read to the class a favorite part.
11. Retell the story in your own words to the class.
12. Pantomime part of the story for the class.
13. Write a song about the story. use a familiar tune.
14. Write about what you learned from the story.
15. Write a different ending.
16. Write a different beginning.
17. Write a letter to a character.
18. Write a poem about the story.
19. Write a letter to the author.
20. Take an AR test on the computer on the book (if available)
