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Lesson Plan
Book Report Alternative: Getting Acquainted with Farcebook
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| Grades | 6 – 12 |
| Lesson Plan Type | Standard Lesson |
| Estimated Time | Five 50-minute sessions |
| Lesson Author |
Tolono, Illinois |
| Publisher |
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OVERVIEW
Facebook-like pages used as book reports provide students a unique format to review several elements of fiction typically found in a traditional book report. Through the sharing of their Facebook-like pages in class, students will have suggestions for future reading.
FEATURED RESOURCES
- The Novel via Farcebook: Students use this sheet to take notes for their Facebook-like page.
- Farcebook: Students will use this online site to create their Facebook-like page for their novel choices.
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Cope discovered in his study of 272 Georgia high school seniors that most participants described unenthusiastically their reading experience in school. Because the traditional book report ranked third in the students’ list of negative reading practices, Cope suggests that alternative assignments are needed. Eight years later Voukon questions why we are still assigning students, “the tried and true one-size-fits-all conflictaction-climax book report” that did not create enthusiasm for reading.
In this lesson students are given the opportunity to break away from the traditional book report form by creating Facebook-like pages for the main characters of fiction books. This alternative form will appeal to students because according to a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center, nearly three quarters of the teens communicate through social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace (Lenhart).
Further Reading
Lenhart, Amanda, Kristen Purcell, Aaron Smith, and Kathyrn Zickuhr. "Social Media and Young Adults." PewInternet. Pew Research Center, 2012. Web. 18 March. 2012. <http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Social-Media-and-Young-Adults.aspx>.
Cope, Jim. "Beyond Voices of Readers: Students on School's Effects on Reading." English Journal 86.3 (March 1997): 18-23
Vokoun, Michael J. "Alternative Book Reports" English Journal 94.4 (March 2005): 117-119.