Each month, our class will explore a different genre. We will be reading and discussing books from that genre in our small reading groups and class read alouds and the children will be required to read at least one book from that genre outside of the classroom as well. After they finish their book, they will need to complete an assigned book report. There will be a different type of book report to do each month
September - Realistic Fiction (a story using made-up characters that takes place in modern times) . Examples: Junie B. Jones, Amber Brown, Ramona Quimby, Muggie Maggie, Superfudge
Assignment: Once you have ¿nished your book, you will need to make a "wanted" poster for one of the characters in your book. Think of something bad that one of the characters did in your book. Maybe they were mean to someone, got in trouble or maybe they just made a bad choice. Include the following: (a) a colored drawing of the character, (b) a physical description of the character, (c) the character's misdeeds (what they did that was bad), (d) other information about the character that is important and (e) the reward offered for the capture of the character or object. You may use poster board, construction paper, or plain white paper, just make sure you include all necessary parts.
October - Mystery (a puzzling story about a suspenseful event that is usually not solved until the end of the book) Examples: Jigsaw Jones, Cam Jansen, A to Z Mysteries, The Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew
November - Informational (all of the information is based on true facts and is not made up) Examples: Magazines, how-to books, books that tell about a certain event that took place
December - Historical Fiction (a story using made-up characters that takes place in a real setting in the past) Examples: American Girl books, Little House on the Prairie, Sarah Plain and Tall, Island of the Blue Dolphins
January - Biography and Autobiography (a story of a real persons life written by someone else or themselves) Examples: The Diary of Anne Frank, And Then What Happened, Paul Revere?, Before I Made History series
February - Fantasy (a story including impossible events such as talking animals and magical powers) Examples: Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Charlotte's Web, There's a Cricket in Times Square
March - Poetry (literature written in meter and verse) Examples of poets: Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, Bruce Lansky, David L. Harrison
April - Science Fiction (a story that blends futuristic technology with Scientific fact and fiction) Examples: A Wrinkle in Time, The Giver, Star Wars
May - Folktales (a story originating in popular culture that is passed on by word of mouth) Examples: Mr. Fox, Why Possums Tail is Bare, Pandora's Box,Iron John