Easy to implement and engaging! Isn’t that what every educator searches for when they’re on the hunt for literacy activities? I’ve experimented with so many post-reading tasks throughout the years, and this Book Review Bulletin Board is definitely one of my favorites! It provides students with routine and structure while simultaneously building a community of readers.
Why Use a Book Review Bulletin Board?
Attempting to keep my 1st graders engaged during read to self can often be a challenging task. When I first started teaching, I would instruct students to get their book box and HOPE they could read independently while I met with my small groups.
This was a total fail! Why? Well, in the wise words of Rachel Hollis, “Hope is not a strategy!” My reluctant readers and students who struggled to stay focused simply didn’t have the stamina.
I needed a meaningful task that all students could complete when they finished reading. Insert Book Review Bulletin Board! BOOM — total game changer! I introduced the concept towards the end of the 1st quarter, and the bulletin board stayed up all year long.
A Book Review Bulletin Board allows students to categorize books and give their honest opinion about what they just read. It can be used during independent reading, after morning work, as a fast finisher activity or for a substitute. Throughout the year, my class would go check out the bulletin board to decide what books they wanted to dive into next!
Supplies
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Book Review Bulletin Board Printables – Teachers Pay Teachers, $3.00
The product includes:
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“Books We Love” Lettering (Small & Large)
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4 Book Review Response Forms
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18 Book Review Categories (Hilarious, Informative, Exciting, Silly, Adventurous, Inspirational, Captivating, Motivational, Mysterious, Heartfelt, Memorable, Surprising, Magical, Fictional, Nonfiction, Powerful, Engaging, Touching)
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Two Bins – Dollar Tree, $1.00 per item
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Scissors
How to Implement
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Determine what categories you want to display on your bulletin board.
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Designate a spot in your classroom for the book review bins, forms and scissors. I place mine near the read to self center.
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Model a book review example for the class. Students should identify what category they want their book review to be displayed in by writing it on the back. (Example below)
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Students cut out the book review and place it in the “done” bin when finished.
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The teacher puts up all completed book reviews in the correct category. If you have older students, they can put tape on the back and place the book review in their preferred category independently.
It’s truly as simple as that! I switch the categories and response forms throughout the year to keep students interested.
I also use it as a formative assessment tool. For example, when the fiction and nonfiction categories are on the bulletin board, it’s easy for me to identify the children who understand each genre and those who still need more practice.
This activity could easily be adapted to appeal to older students as well. Allow them to show off their latest book report or graphic organizer by categorizing their work. Ultimately, the goal is to foster a love of reading through exploration and collaboration!
So as much as I love a visually stunning, teacher-made bulletin board, I’m a firm believer that our students should be actively participating in what we display in the classroom. I promise this Book Review Bulletin Board will engage the children in your class AND assist you on your ever so important journey of building a community of readers!
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