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Learning Experience/Unit

Fiction Book Report by St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES

Subject

English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core)

Grade Levels

Elementary, 4th Grade

Assessment

Students will be assessed on their book review's final draft. The book review will be scored according to a rubric. The rubric focuses on mechanics and the presence of a book review cover, introduction, body, and conclusion.

Book Report Rubric

Learning Context/ Introduction

In this learning experience, students will have the opportunity to review a book. It is tailored towards a fictional book in which the student gives an overview of the characters and storyline, being careful not to give away anything that would lessen the suspense for readers. Technology is integrated into this learning experience using Microsoft Word. Students use Microsoft Word to type their final draft and to create a cover page for their review, which also requires a picture.

Duration

Planning- This learning experience needs to be coordinated with a time when the necessary technology is available. (LCD projector for the PowerPoint presentation, computer lab for Microsoft Word)

Implementation- This learning experience takes place over the course of 4-5 forty-minute blocks of time. The 4-5 blocks of time does not include the time it takes for the students to read their book.

Essential Question

To Read or Not to Read?

Instructional/Environment Modifications

- Handouts for slides 16, 22, and 23 for the PowerPoint Presentation "book review"

Procedure

Part 1- Introduce the Essential Question and Task Using the PowerPoint Presentation "book review"

Write the Essential Question "To Read or Not to Read?" on the board.
Using wait time extended allow students to discuss with each other what a book review is.
As a class discuss the purpose of a book review- A book review maybe used to inform someone about a book and possibly to persuade him/her to read it. A book review contains a brief overview of characters, and a storyline being careful not to ruin the suspense. A book review also states your opinion about the book and whether you would recommend it to someone.
Use slides 1-10 to help students choose a book to read
Take the students to the library to search for a book

Part 2- Once the students have been given time to read the book they selected, they will now begin the process for writing a book review

Day 1 (40 minutes)- PREWRITING- Using slides 11-15 of the PowerPoint Presentation "book review," allow students to plan for their book review.
Day 2 (40 minutes)- DRAFTING- Using slides 16-17 of the PowerPoint Presentation "book review," allow students to write a first draft. You may want to print a handout of slide 16 for the students to refer to while writing their book review.
Day 3 (40 minutes)- REVISE, PROOFREAD, EDIT- Using slides 18-20 of the PowerPoint Presentation "book review," allow students to go through the steps of revising, proof reading and editing. You may want to hand out a sheet with editing marks to assist the students when polishing up their book review.
Day 4 (40 or more minutes depending on the students' computer skills)- FINAL DRAFT- Using slides 21-23 of the PowerPoint Presentation "book review," allow students type their final draft. It may be necessary to provide handouts for slides 22-23.
PowerPoint Presentation "bookreview"

Reflections and Feedback

This learning experience was an extension to what I have assigned in the past. Using Microsoft Word and making a book review cover was an addition to my previous plans. The students enjoyed typing their book reviews and inserting a picture to make their finished product more attractive. The spell check also helped students find mistakes they had previously missed.

Student Work

High- This student included a book review cover with all the essential information and a picture. The book review contains an introduction that states the book title, author, setting and characters. The body covers the storyline in-depth with few minor grammatical errors. The conclusion contains the student's opinion and recommendation.
Middle- This student included a book review cover with all the essential information and a picture. The introduction fails to mention the setting of the story. The body suggests that the student's knowledge of the book appears to be good. The conclusion recommends the book but does not state an opinion. The book review contains some misspellings and the title of the book is not underlined.
Low- This student included a book review cover with all the essential information but does not include a picture. The book review is not organized with an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Student Work High
Student Work Middle
Student Work Low