The prop is really just a visual for the students to share with the class. There are two purposes for the prop. 1) Takes pressure off of the speaker (feels like audience is looking at the prop instead of him/her) 2) Shows child has a deeper understanding of the book since it relates to the book 3) "Livens up" the presentation. We look forward to seeing the props!
Ideas for props
Let your imagination run wild! Props can be simple or complex. It just needs to show thought and be tied into the book. It can be as simple as a teddy bear if the book was about a bear and his travels, for example, or as complex as.... well, like I said, let your imagination guide you! Try to mix up the types of props you do.
Diorama
Use a box (shoe box, small box or...), paper, legos, small toys or whatever you have to decorate. Show a scene from your book.
Tri Fold Display
You can buy a tri fold poster board at stores, or simply tape together cardboard to create a display. This is a good way to display a summary of the highlights. They can be hand written or typed. Let your imagination go wild on the decorations!
Build Something
Use Legos, paper, clay, aluminum foil, toilet paper rolls or ??? to create something that ties in with your book. Be creative and let your imagination run wild!
Create a Game
Do you love to play games? How about creating a game to go along with your book? Everything from the game pieces, the stepping places on the game board, or the cards that you draw could be tied in to your book.
Matchbook
A great way to share a chapter book is with this display. Each "flap" is a little summary of a chapter.
Triarama
Create a "triarama". This is like a three sided box giving a space to create separate scenes from the book. It's simple to make out of poster board or even plain paper, just glue three or four triangles together to complete your prop.
Crossword Puzzle / Word Search
Use 20 vocabulary words or key words from the book to make a puzzle.
You can make your own puzzles online. The following are a few sites:
Make a mobile based on the book with drawings of the characters, objects or settings.
Act Out a Scene
Write a play for you and a friend to act out for the class. Act out one chapter in the book. This works best if both of you have read the same book. You could act out the scene, make a puppet show or even a shadow puppet show!
Book Cover
Make a book cover for your book.
Cereal Box Cover
Make a cover for a cereal box to share important parts of the book.
Flip Book
There are many ways you can share important parts of a book. You'll "flip" over this one!
Commercial / Magazine Advertisement
Write and act out a T.V. commercial announcing your book or record it and play it for us in class -or- draw an advertisement of your book as it would appear in a magazine
Sandwich
Make a sandwich to share the information of your book. Each "layer" shares a different part of the book.
Design a Shirt
Use markers or paints to create a shirt that tells us about your book.
Mini Tin Display
Make a mini-display using a tin that held mints. The pull out paper shares information from the book.
Surprise Box
Put 5-7 items in a bag or box that have some connection to the book or characters. Tell how each of the items relate to the book.
Pizza Box
(Use a clean one please) Each "slice" of your pizza could introduce the characters, the setting, and the events of your story.
Lapbook
Use a file folder to create a display for your book!
Impress Us
Impress us with your creativity by coming up with something which will help to make your book come alive for us. If you aren't sure if your idea will be appropriate, please check with Mrs. Backen. Pinterest has some very creative ideas, you should check it out!
Simple is O.K. too
Remember though, a prop doesn't need to cost you any money or take hours to make. It can also be as simple as sharing a baseball that you have in your bedroom if you read a book about Jackie Robinson.