Minds On
Ways to express yourself: book reports
Engaging with a book can be an exciting thing to do. Books can be filled with engaging people, places, and things that make your imagination run wild. Once you have finished your book it’s fun to share the story you have completed with someone else. Creating a book report is a great way to express your ideas about the book you have just finished.
Think about a book you enjoyed recently. If you wanted to describe this book to a friend, what kind of details would you include? What would you not include? What if your friend wanted to describe a book to you? What would you want to know? What details could they leave out?
Action
How to create a book report?
Creating a book report might seem like a big task, but it can become easier with a few organizational strategies.
Understanding the plot
Access the following video where Teacher Wynne explains how to provide a summary of a book you’ve completed based on the plot of the story. While exploring the video, think about how you might use this strategy to describe your favourite story.
Here’s an example of how we might summarize the beginning, middle, and end of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone:
Harry Potter is an unloved orphan whose terrible aunt and uncle make him sleep under the stairs. Everything changes for Harry when he’s invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At Hogwarts, Harry learns that he is a very special wizard. Harry and his new friends Ron and Hermione embark on an amazing adventure as they try to solve the mystery of the Philosopher’s Stone.
Source: Book cover: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Children's Books, URL: https://www.jkrowling.com/writing/, Published 1997.
How would you describe the plot of your favourite book? Record your thoughts using the method of your choice: paper, computer, or audio recorder.
Your personal connections
Book reports not only summarize the book, but they also give you an opportunity to tell how you connected with the book. Here are three different connections you can make with a book:
Explore this video of Teacher Wynne on “Book Report” as she shows how we can make connections to a book we’ve enjoyed.
How would you build connections with your favourite book? Record your thoughts using the method of your choice: paper, computer, or audio recorder.
Consolidation
Your turn!
Now it’s time to create a book report! Use the notes you have taken on your favourite book or start new notes based on a book in your classroom. Summarize the plot, then include the connections you made while you explored the book.
Once you have finished your notes, share your work with a friend or family member. Does your description of the plot make sense? Do your connections help them understand what the book means to you? Do they have feedback for you? Reflect on how you might adjust your notes.
When you’re happy with your notes, expand your notes into paragraphs! You may do this on paper, on a computer, or record your ideas on an audio recorder.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.
Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.
Discover MoreUse your notes and connections to create an advertisement to sell the book. Who will your audience be? How will this change the words and tone you use? You may choose to enhance your advertisement with images or music.