Book Report Alternative: Character and Author Business Cards

Materials and Technology

Printouts

Websites

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Computers with word processor software
  
  
• Sample business cards from various local businesses or people you've met. (Note: many businesses have business cards propped up and available for the taking near the receptionist or checkout area. If you pick up cards as you see them, you'll always have a ready collection on hand. You might also check with local printers who make business cards for samples.)
  
  
• Business card blanks or heavy stock paper cut to the appropriate size; or perforated business card pages for a laser or inkjet printer (available in office supply stores) (optional)
  
  
• Peel-and-stick magnetic sheets precut to the size of business cards. These magnetic sheets are typically available in stationery and office supply stores, and the business cards can be attached to these magnetic sheets to make refrigerator/white board magnets. This makes an impressive classroom display at the end of the project (optional)

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PRINTOUTS

• Example business cards for Tom Sawyer, Hermione Granger, and Gandalf the Grey; or create overhead transparencies to share with students
  
  
• Planning Sheet for Business Card Book Reports
  
  
• Rubric for Business Card Book Reports

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WEBSITES

• Business Card Designs
• Rethink Your Business Card
• Microsoft's Digital Clip Art Gallery

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PREPARATION

• Before this lesson, students will read a book independently, in literature circles, or as a whole class.
  
  
• Ask students to bring copies of the book that will be the focus of their business cards to class for reference.
  
  
• Make copies or overheads of the sample business cards, the Planning Sheet for Business Card Book Reports, and the Rubric for Business Card Book Reports.
  
  
• Practice the steps for creating business cards with a word processor using your computers and software. You may want to provide your students with more specific instructions that are customized for your software program.
  
  
• Find sources for clip art that are appropriate for your class. Typically a small clip art library is included with word processing programs; however, additional images may be needed. Have URLs on hand that students can use to find images for their business cards.
  
  Optional: Depending upon your goals and the resources available, students can also draw original images on their business cards with markers, create images in a program such as Paint or PhotoShop, or scan images for their cards.

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