Book reports and reading worksheets are an integral part of growing up. Almost everyone has had to do a book report either in elementary school or high school. Book reports may not be the most pleasant pass time for students, but they instill a discipline where the student learns to think logically and critically about literature, and report on what they have read.
A reading worksheet can accompany a book report, or simply used as a separate reading assignment. Reading worksheets have no real formating rules, so they can be multiple choice, fill in the blank, or essay questions. These reading worksheets have different topics and are designed to help the student with such topics as sentence structure, reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
What do Book Reports and Reading Worksheets Teach?
Both book reports and reading worksheets function to increase the students ability to comprehend what it is they are reading. The book report is used to help the young student learn to think critically about what they read. The book report teaches the child to pay attention to what they read, analyze it and give their own opinion on the topic. While the reading worksheet is more tool teachers can use to center on a variety of topics such as comprehension, sentence structure, fluency, letter recognition, genres and even reading maps.
Benefits of Using a Book Report Template
As you can see, doing a book report can be a little complex. These book reports are specially designed to get you thinking in a logical manner and to show the teacher that you know how to analyze what it is you read. When you use a book report template, you have everything laid out for you. In effect, the formatting has already been completed, and all you have to do is to focus on writing the absolute best book analysis that you can. That is the major benefit, the ability to concentrate on the task at hand, rather than the formatting. There is also another added advantage. Some of these book report templates are beautifully designed with borders and/or imagery, which adds a bit more pizazz to your final report.
Benefits of Downloading Our Free Book Report Templates
As you can see, a book report can be a daunting experience for a student to write, and since the reason for doing a book report is to learn critical thinking, reasoning and reading comprehension skills, having a template to follow allows the students to concentrate on just those elements. All of our book report templates are easy to use, you simply choose the one that works for you, and proceed to insert your information, such as the title, your name, and your content. Our templates are professionally designed, attractive to the eye, and composed to give you that certain ‘edge’ over the competition. We guarantee that by using our book report templates, your book report will have the look of professionalism, completion and overall perfect presentation.
Benefits of Downloading Our Reading Worksheet Templates
A teachers life is a busy one. Teachers have many responsibilities which often take up their time when school is out. By downloading our reading worksheet templates, you as an instructor will not have to compose, design and format your own. We offer a great variety of reading worksheet templates, that cover an assortment of important topics. Simply choose the one that suits the situation at hand, download it, and make any necessary alterations. We are sure you will find the convenience and time saving nature of using our worksheet templates an asset, one that will make your work day flow just a bit smoother.
Elements of a Book Report
The elements of a book report may vary from teacher to teacher, so we have included a basic set of elements that give you a good idea of what you will use for your book report. Always remember to follow the instructions given by your teacher first, what we have for you are simply basic guidelines.
Introduction for Your Book Report
The first element of a good book report is to have a solid, descriptive and informative introduction. The introduction will have your Title, Genre, and a brief. The brief is a simple, concise description of the book report in about 2 or 3 sentences.
Body of Your Book Report
The body of your book report is made up of two distinct parts. In the first part, we want you to tell us what the book is all about. Consider this a plot synopsis, if that helps. The second part centers around what you thought about the book. In other words, what is your opinion, did you like it? Here, you get to stretch your wings a bit and critique the book.
There may be a few considerations depending on whether your book report is on a work of fiction, or a non-fiction book. If it is fiction, you can talk about the characters, the point of the story, what its about, a plot summary. If it is a non fiction book, then mention the topic, the focus of the book and the purpose of the book.
Analysis of the Book
This is the part where you can have a little fun, as you get to critique the book, add your opinions. However, always remember, for every opinion you have to back it up with an excerpt from the book. Here are some points to consider, just to get you started:
- Did the book set out what it was supposed to do
- Critique the authors writing style
- What was it about the book that made the most impact
- What was it about the book that you think could be improved
- Did you like the book, was it interesting, or did you drift off to sleep while reading it?
- If someone asked you about the book, what would you tell them? to read it or not?
Conclusion or Summary
This section of the book report centers on the areas of the book you found to be the most important. You have to take these elements and create a brief summary for your teacher, to show that you understand exactly what you read. Summaries often allow you to express your opinion about the book as well, so give this part some thought. Your opinion should not just be “I liked the book”, it should be more about why you liked the book, and back it up with examples from the book.
Tips for Teachers Regarding Book Reports and Reading
- Creation of a presentation can be a useful, and even fun project for students. This means the book report is accompanied by a simple, hand-crafted diorama centering around the book, as well as a small speech, discussing the book.
- Have students create their characters by using inexpensive dolls, or have a simple puppet show to illustrate parts of the book.
- Make sure you give clear guidelines to the student, so the student knows exactly what to you want. Put these guidelines in writing in an assignment handout and grade accordingly, never straying from what was placed on the handout.
- Explain the grading system for this book report clearly, so the student is aware of just how many points will be deducted for each grading consideration, such as grammar and punctuation, following formatting instructions, descriptions of characters, etc.
- Don’t be too strict with grading, as you are trying to make reading a pleasurable experience, and trying to get the student to find the act of asking questions, analysis and the use of reason and logic a pleasant experience.
- Reading worksheets are simple documents that can be adapted to fit the needs of particular students. Those that are having more difficulty in comprehension can have worksheets that concentrate on that aspect, while those who are having a tough time with spelling, or grammar can have a worksheet that gives them some badly needed, extra help.
Book Report Tips For Students
- First things first. Make sure you understand the assignment, and just what it is your teacher is looking for. If you have any questions, now is the time to clarify them.
- Plan your time out carefully. A book report is not a rush job, you cannot get it done in one night and expect it to be good. Make a schedule out, designating the time it takes to read the book, gather your references, write the first draft, and compose a completed, properly formatted book report.
- Do not rely on Cliff Notes. Remember, your instructor sees hundreds of book reports, and will be able to tell an original from one that uses Cliff notes, or other such sources.
- A secret to writing an excellent book report, is to find out as much as you can, in the time allotted, about the book and author. What do other critics think about the book, what is their interpretation, check out different summaries and plot analysis.
- Make sure you write in a professional manner. Use excellent grammar and punctuation, and make sure your sentence structure is crisp, clear and to the point. Do not stray or deviate from the topic. Never use passive voice, you want your book report to be captivating, not send your reader for an early nap.
- Follow the formatting your teacher told you to do. If your teacher tells you to use the APA style guide, then only use that. Usually, a good book report will have sections with headings.
- If your topic requires sources, then please only use sources that are considered reputable. Do not rely on wiki. The last think you want is your book report to come out sounding like a Wikipedia article.
- Proofread your book report, make revisions and ensure that it is properly formatted in accordance to the instructions you received from your teacher.
- Remember to back up your statements in your book report with examples from the book.
There you have it, some basic elements revolving around book reports and reading worksheets. In todays world of social media, we are bombarded with simple minded memes, directed at our emotions, rather than logic and reason. Now, more than ever, students have to be taught out to discern reading material, and to ask questions, look deeper and more logically at what it is they are reading. Book reports and reading worksheets are a must for instilling a valuable skillset that children will carry with them into adult hood. By using book report and reading worksheet templates, the stage is now set to give both the student and teacher a little less to worry about, and instead, concentrate on the task at hand, which is the development of a well-trained, disciplined mind.