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Pack Rat Book Reports

published on: 2/28/2003

Contributing Teacher(s): Jane Halley

Subject Area: Communication Arts/Presentations

Grade Range: Upper Elementary (4-5), Middle Grades (6-8)

Materials Needed:

• Immense imaginations and books for book reports
• Handouts: Assignment sheet, Pack Rat Book Report Form and Scoring Guide attached

Process Standards:

• Goal 2.1 plan and make written, oral and visual presentations for a variety of purposes and audiences

Content Standards:

• Communication Arts 2. Reading and evaluating fiction, poetry and drama

  Time Allowance:

  Description: This is a performance-based idea for completing written or oral book reports -- museum, presentation

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  Classroom Component: This book report idea is a favorite of my middle school students, because it can be done either as a written or oral report. It is most definitely more interesting for everyone if it is presented as an oral report. Students will select items to present in a museum-type display for the class. The purpose of the "Pack Rat" Report is for students to make links and associations among the content of the books they have read. Every report is unique even if students have read the same book! Have the students set up their displays throughout the room. Divide your remaining students into tour groups. Have them rotate around the room listening to each "guide" along the way. You can join the tour and grade the reports at the same time. Encourage the museum visitors to ask questions. This is a great opportunity to talk to students about proper behavior in a museum setting. They may also need some additional discussions to gather ideas on museum displays if they have never visited a museum before.           Pack Rat Book Reports               You have three book reports due for each quarter. One will be required as an oral report, and the other two will be written on a required form. What in the world is a "Pack Rat"? A "Pack Rat" is a North American rodent that collects objects and carries them off to his/her nest. The purpose of our "Pack Rat" is to help you and other students to make links and associations among the content of the books that you read with the items you choose to display. You will assemble a minimum of five items in a bag or box to set up in a museum-type display. You will explain your reason for each item and how it relates to the book you have read as part of your oral report. Don''t forget to tell the museum visitors the title of the book, the author''s name, and a brief synopsis of the book. The book itself should be part of your display, but it does not count as one of your items. That sounds kinda vague...what kinds of items? Well, here are some suggestions:

• Recipes from the book''s time (You may make and share—yummy!)
• Songs or dances the character might like or of that time period.
• A letter that the main character might receive.
• An article of clothing that the characters might like to wear.
• A map of the setting or time period.
• A piece of art work from the time period.
• A creation of the main character.
• A time line of the period''s events.
• A special award that the book has received or should receive.
• Postcards, pictures, posters, or other artifacts that relate to the book.
Be Creative! Remember to bring in at least five items and be prepared to talk about the significance of the item and how it relates to the book that you have read. Dressing up as a character in the book counts for BONUS! "Don''t forget...your Pack Rat Report is due ____________________" PACK RAT BOOK REPORT FORM Your Name _________________________________ Title of Book ________________________________ Author _____________________________________ Type of Book ________________________________ # of Pages __________________________________ The first item I have selected is ____________________________________ The reason I have chosen this item is it relates to the book in the following way: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ The second item I have selected is _________________________________ The reason I have chosen this item is it relates to the book in the following way: ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ The third item I have selected is ___________________________________ I have chosen this item because ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ The fourth item I have selected is _________________________________ I have chosen this item because ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ The fifth item I have selected is ____________________________________ I have chosen this item because ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Pack Rat Museum Presentation Scoring Guide Name _________________________________ 4 3 2 1 0

Display contains at least 5 different items. Display reflects careful planning and museum-type appeal. ___	Report provides clear correlations and explanations for selection of each item. ___	Method of presentation assisted audience''s understanding. Good posture, volume, rate of delivery and knowledge of the book. ___
Display contains at least 4 items. Display shows some effort to achieve museum-type appeal. ___	Report provides some explanation for selection of each item. ___	Method of presentation somewhat distracts from audience''s understanding because of poor posture or volume or lack of knowledge of the book. ___
Display contains at least 3 items. Display shows little effort to achieve museum-type appeal. ___	Report provides confusing explanations for selection of each item. ___	Method of presentation distracts from audience''s understanding because of poor posture or volume, rapid delivery and/or dependence on notes. ___
Display contains 1 or 2 items. Display shows no planning—items are "just thrown together." ___	Report fails to explain selection of the items. ___	Method of presentation greatly distracts from audience''s understanding—word for word reading of notes. ___
NO ATTEMPT ___

Total Points ________ Adaptations by another teacher: I used this lesson the past year. The students (7th graders) loved it. We set it up in a huge empty room calling it the "Museum." We also included a lesson on manners at formal receptions. We had cookies and punch and had the kids dress more formally as if they were going to the opening night of an exhibit. Loved it and plan on doing it again. "This will be a great snack!"

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For additional information contact :
Jane Halley
Putnam Co. Middle
Putnam Co. R-I
(660) 947-3237
EMAIL: halleydj@nemr.net