How to Write a Book Report in the Form of a Recipe

Let's face it, the standard format book reports can be a drudgery to write for children. For less than enthusiastic readers, it can be agonizing and one more thing about reading they dread. Educators realize sparking enthusiasm for an assignment is a key component to a student's learning and success.
Whether you are teacher searching for a new language arts lesson plan idea or a student assigned to create an alternative presentation for a book report, the following project integrates cognitive and language skills in a fun form, while still providing an assessment of the student's comprehension of the story.

Things You'll Need

• Notes from the book read
• Cookbook or online recipe source
• Blank recipe cards
• Construction paper
• Glue or double-sided tape
• Pen or pencil

Instructions

Recipe "How To"

1. Look through the cookbook (or online) recipes for examples of recipe format. Think about how your story has "ingredients" and when put together "become" something. The plot of your book will be your concoction--your recipe. At the top of the card write "Recipe for____" (ex. For the book "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" the recipe (plot) would be "Surviving Life with a Younger Brother").

2. Write "Recipe by:___(Fill in your name)" below the recipe title on the left side of the card. On the same line, on the right side of the card, write the age group the book would be appropriate for as "Serves ages___". In a "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" recipe, this would read "Serves ages 8-12 ."

3. Fill in your "ingredients." The ingredients list would include names of the characters in the book. Using our book example, we would list Peter Hatcher, Fudgie, Tootsie, Sheila Tubman, various pets and any other characters of importance in the story. Use as many recipe cards as needed, writing only on the face of the card.

4. Write "Directions" below the ingredients list. In this section, you will describe in paragraph form how each character (ingredient) is put together and mixed with each other (the story summary).
   Example: "Place nine year old Peter Hatcher in a New York city apartment with a three year old trouble making brother, Fudge, and simmer. Slowly stir in Dribble the turtle, a mother and a father..."

5. Give your recipe a star rating (your opinion of the book). Draw and fill in five stars for a top review or as little as half of a star for a poor review. Below this, write "Review." Write a short paragraph expanding on your opinion, the star rating you gave.

6. Mount your recipe cards with glue or double-sided tape on a large enough piece of construction paper to accommodate the number of cards used. Allow enough room to write the actual title of the book above the recipe cards and the authors' name below.

Tips & Warnings

• Be creative with your "Directions" section. Think of and use cooking terms such as mash, crush, stir, mix, simmer, bake, remove, cool, etc. (your cookbook could help you find words).

• Ratings stars can be drawn and colored in with a yellow marker or crayon or star stickers can be used--think creatively.

• If presenting your recipe (book report) to the class, wearing a chef's hat or apron might be a fun addition.

References

• Blume, J., & Doty, R. (1972). Tales of a fourth grade nothing. New York: Dutton

Resources

• 100 Best Books For Children