Who does not remember the dreaded assignment of a book report? For some children, reading and comprehending a story is difficult enough without the added pressure of writing. Due to the anxiety and negativity that encircles the assignment of a book report, it is essential that teachers do all that they can to make this task fun and interesting. There are several different ways to make a book report fun for students. It is best to offer more creative options for revealing a book rather than simply writing down the details. Try to allow students to choose projects that meet their personality and academic or even nonacademic strengths.

One way for making book reports fun is to allow students to dress as a favorite character from the story. The student chooses a person or animal from the story and mimics the looks and personality. The student comes to class in character form and retells the story to the class from the character's point of view.

For those students who are too timid to give an oral presentation dressed as a character, allow the option of creating a diorama. A diorama is a physical representation of the book. It can easily be created from a shoebox. Inside the box, the student will display a scene from the story.

Another fun way to get students involved in reading and exploring books is through creating a new cover for the story. This option often appeals to students with a more artistic side. After reading the book, the student creates a new cover to depict a scene from the story. This idea is somewhat similar to making a diorama but it calls for more drawing abilities than building.

Reach students with musical strength by allowing them to create a rap or song that retells the story. Rather than the student writing or talking about the book, suggest that they add music to the presentation.

For those teachers that simply cannot seem to pull themselves away from the traditional sit down and write about the book report, then try making book reports fun by offering students templates. Instead of asking students to create a report in paragraph form, create several different templates in which for them to choose. The students then have an added guideline and can fill in blanks rather than simply write from scratch. Students love to write their book reports into fun shapes and sizes that represent the books they read!

Whether you allow the child to be creative in their presentation or have fun forms for them to fill out, they will enjoy the process much more than if they simply have to write a report on regular paper.

You may also want to try rubrics. Rubrics offer students an opportunity to make completing book reports fun. When students' have a rubric to follow, they often feel more confident about the work they are completing. Rubrics give students more specific rules for their assignment. They know exactly what is expected from their report. Allow students to complete the rubric by grading their own work and turn it in with their report.

It is important to keep in mind that students can display what they have learned and gathered from a book in other ways than writing a lengthy report. Book reports can come in many different forms and fashions. Allow students to be creative and express themselves. The key to encouraging students to enjoy reading and still assess their comprehension of the story is to make book reports fun through alternative projects.