Lesson Plan: Natalee Saad

Not Your Average Book Report

Grade (s)
Subject (s)
Length of Lesson
Lesson
Overview/Rational
e

Curriculum
Framework/Standa
rd

3rd-4th
ELA
Three 50 minute periods
I have always thought of new ways to
make the traditional book report new and
exciting. I also like to incorporate
technology into my lessons and even the
different arts into my lessons. This lesson
will be focused on students creating their
own news report about the book of their
choice that they have already read. They
will start off the news report by giving a
summary of the book such as the setting,
characters, main problem, etc. Then the
students will describe or even act out one
of their favorite scenes/part of the book.
They will either use a webcam from a
computer or a camera. They will then have
to upload it to a computer and edit it
where it needs it. We will then watch all of
these news reports as a class.
Reading Standards for Literature:
-Grade (3):
Describe characters in a story (e.g., their
traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain
how their actions contribute to the
sequence of events.
Recount stories, including fables, folktales,
and myths from diverse cultures;
determine the central message, lesson, or
moral and explain how it is conveyed
through key details in the text.
-Grade (4):
Describe in depth a character, setting, or
event in a story or drama, drawing on

Lesson Plan: Natalee Saad

Learning
Objectives

Technology Uses

Materials

Procedure

specific details in the text (e.g., a

characters thoughts, words, or actions).
-Students will read a book of their choice
at their appropriate reading level.
-Students will fill out a book sheet where
they will write down the characters,
problems, solutions, settings, etc.
-Students will brainstorm their favorite
parts of the book and then choose one to
describe in more detail.
-Students will create their own script for
their newscast.
-Students will record themselves (with help
if needed) doing their newscast.
-Students will upload their newscast to
their computer and make any edits if they
need to.
-Students will then e-mail or save their
newscast to a USB flash drive.
-Students will record their newscast using
a camera or webcam.
-Students will upload it to a computer and
then edit it if needed.
-Students will e-mail or save their
newscast to a USB flash drive.
-Students will watch everyones newscast
as a class on the board through a projector
or whatever is accessible in the classroom.
-Students book choice
-Book sheet
-Newscast script sheet
-Backdrop for newscast
-Webcam or camera
-Flash drive
-Laptops or computers
1. Class would have already finished
their book of choice when this lesson
was going to begin.
2. Teacher will start this lesson by

Lesson Plan: Natalee Saad

Assessment

showing a newscast from a local news

station (that he/she has already
watched before to make sure its
appropriate.)
3. Then teacher will explain to the
students why they showed that video
and how the students will create their
own newscast.
4. Teacher will show example of each
worksheet that they will do and show
what he/she would write in for their
answer and note that everyones will
be different because of their book
choice.
5. Explain rules for using computers,
laptops, and cameras.
6. Allow students to start working and
be walking around the room to assist
students if they need it.
Students will be assessed on:
-The completion of their two worksheets.
-The rubric that evaluates each of their
newscasts.