Yesterday, I posted about the Cardboard Challenge Valentine’s Day Boxes my fourth graders made, but I would be remiss if I didn’t also post about the creative boxes that came pouring in with my third graders! I have been doing this project with my kiddos for the last three years, and I am always amazed by their boxes each and every year. It’s so fun to see how they will interpret their books, and it’s a great way to review story elements while adding a little educational flair to our Valentine’s Day celebrations. The beauty in this project, in my opinion, is that the boxes would be created no matter what. So, I am really not adding a lot more to their plates for this project, I am just giving the boxes a different slant. Instead of decorating their boxes with whatever strikes their fancies, I ask them to read a book and create a box that reflects that text. Easy peasy. The reports are presented to the class on the day of our party, and then they are assessed for a small writing grade. It’s as simple as that!
Check out a few of their Valentine’s Day Book Report Boxes!
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| Diary of a Wimpy Kid |
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| Nikki Maxwell |
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| Pippi Longstocking |
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| Kylie Jean Hoop Queen |
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| Love Splat |
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| The Lemonade Crime |
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| Captain Underpants |
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| Cupcake Diaries |
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| Kingdom Keepers |
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| A Close-Up of Kingdom Keepers |
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| And Another |
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| The cutest unicorn I have ever seen! |
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| Just look at that mane! |
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| Judy Moody Saves the World |
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| The Puppy Place: Goldie |
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| Where the Wild Things Are |
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| News Express |
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| Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist |
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| A Super Cute Penguin! |
This is one example of how the reports are set up:
As you can see, this isn’t a really elaborate project, but it does serve its purpose. I know by looking at this report that this student can comprehend and expand on ideas presented on books. I know she can summarize the main points in each segment of the chapter book. I know she can articulate her thoughts using vivid vocabulary. I also know she had a WHOLE LOT of fun working on this project and her box… and that is the icing on the cake. I am already looking forward to next year!
I love this idea! The boxes look really great!
Thank you! I am SO proud of them!
I teach 3rd grade and follow your blog for this very reason. What a creative and fun way to get kids excited about reading! I'm totally going to do this next year. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 It's always one of our favorite projects each and every year!
I was a *little disappointed at the lack of creativity with my students and this project. I was a bit surprised at the lack of effort. =( I gave them 2 weeks and discussed it plenty!! I'll show your examples next year, for sure.
I did post a few of mine. http://practicalprimary.blogspot.com/2015/02/valentines-day.html
Hi, Kim! I give my students about a month for this project and the Cardboard Challenge that I do with my fourth graders. I do think showing the kind of examples you are hoping for sets the stage, so I always show the examples of kids who go above and beyond. I have three years worth of posts on my blog that you can utilize with your own kids if you want. If you Google "Valentine's Day Book Reports + One Extra Degree", all three should come up. Perhaps more time and more photos will be a difference maker. I thought the examples you shared were super cute!