Alternative Ideas for Book Reporting
                  in Primary Grades
                 (may be adapted to other grades)
 Rationale:  Each student is provided with several ways to respond to a reading selection, according to his/her favored learning style.

DI Strategy:  Learning Centers

Differentiate What?  Product

Differentiate How?  Learning styles

Resources Needed:  as specified under "Materials Needed" for each center

Teacher Preparation:
Prepare the following four center activities for students:
1.  Diorama
2.  Filmstrip maker
3.  Costume and Letter
4.  Puppet making

Other centers may include: computer activities, word processing, poetry, mobile-making, debate, or interviews.

Explanation: The student reads a self-selected literature/reading selection or teacher-selected selection.  Then the student completes a center activity in response to the literature/reading selection.  The student has several options from which to choose, depending upon the number of center stations/activities the teacher designs around the room.  The following are four examples of ways that students could respond to a literature selection.
 
 

Diorama Center #1
 Student Outcome:
At this center you will be able to create a scene from the book you read using the materials provided by the teacher.  The scene should show the setting from the story and what happened in the story.

Materials needed:
After reading a story or book, use the variety of materials provided in the MATERIALS BOX  to make a scene inside the shoe box.  You may use glue, scissors and tape.  You may also bring in items from home to complete your diorama.

Procedure:
____1.  First, collect your materials for your diorama.  (Get a few paper towels in case you spill any glue.
____2.  Next, work quietly to design a scene for inside the shoebox. The scene needs to be from the story you read.
____3.  Then, place your shoebox diorama in a safe place to dry.
____4.  After that, clean your work area and return your materials to their proper places.
____5.  Finally, in your very best handwriting, write a paper telling about your diorama scene.

Use this as a STARTER SENTENCE:

    My diorama shows a scene from the story called: ______________________.

This scene is about ___________________________________________.
The reason I made this scene is because ______________________________
____________________________________________________.

____6.  Place your paper in the FINISHED or NOT FINISHED folder.
____7.  Fill out an EVALUATION sheet and place it in the FINISHED folder.
 

Filmstrip Center #2
 Student Outcome:
At this center you will create a filmstrip using the materials provided by the teacher.  The filmstrip will tell about and show all the important elements of the story.

Materials needed:
small box, filmstrip paper, pencils, tape, and crayons or colored pencils.

Procedure:
____1.  Watch the teacher-made filmstrip that shows how to create your filmstrip.
____2.  Follow ALL the directions.  Raise your hand if you need help.
____3.  Clean your work area and place your filmstrip in a safe place.
____4.  Fill out an EVALUATION sheet and place it in the FINISHED folder.
 

Costume and Letter Writing Center #3
 Student Outcome:
At this center you are to select a favorite character from the story you read, plan a costume to make you look like your favorite character, and write a letter to your parents asking for help in dressing like your favorite character on Friday.

 **************************************************************************************************************************

                                                                             Date: ____________

Dear _________________________,

    I just read a book called ___________________________________.

It was written by ____________________________________________.

The illustrations were drawn by ________________________________.

My favorite character in the story was ____________________________

because ____________________________________________________.

    My teacher said that I have permission to dress like my favoite character this

Friday, _______________.  Would you please help me dress up like my

favorite character?   Here is a list of things I thought I could use to help me dress up and look like my favorite character:

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________.

Thanks!
                                                            Love,

                                                            _________________
 
 
 

Fill out an EVALUATION sheet and place it in the FINISHED folder.
 
 

Puppet Making Center #4
 Student Outcome:
At this center you will create puppet of one of the characters from the story or book you read, using the materials provided by the teacher.
(You may choose to make a puppet out of brown bags and newspaper, popsicle sticks and paper, or any other materials available to you in the materials box.)

Materials needed:
brown bag, newspaper, rubber band, popsicle sticks, yarn, construction paper, wiggly eyes, felt, glue, scissors, tape, etc.

Procedure:
____1.  Look at the puppet models provided.  Decide what kind of puppet you would like to make.  (You can create an original puppet).
____2.  Gather your materials from the "Materials Box" and make your puppet.  (Raise your hand if you need help.)
____3.  Clean your work area and place your puppet in a safe place to dry.

____4.  Complete the "Paper Bag Reporting" sheet and attach it with tape to the back side of your paper bag puppet.

____5.  Fill out an EVALUATION sheet and place it in the FINISHED folder.

*********************************************************************************************************************

                                Paper Bag Reporting
 

This book is about _________________________________________

________________________________________________________.

In the story, ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________.

My favorite part was when __________________________________

_______________________________________________________.

My favorite character in the story was ________________ because

_______________________________________________________.

I would say that this book is very ______________________________

because _________________________________________________.
 
 

Mary Kinnan
Chaires Elementary School

 

 
 
 

Editor's Note:  Please share timelines and assessment ideas with the DI team.