September – March
Students choose their monthly book report from the Battle of the Books list. This builds knowledge of the books and prepares us for March.
The Library
Magical readers & writers
Strong readers and writers open doors to new worlds. Here is what your child will practice this year — and how you can help the magic grow at home.
Your reader will…
- Read a variety of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
- Determine the main idea and key details.
- Make inferences and draw conclusions using evidence from the text.
- Summarize stories and identify themes.
- Compare and contrast texts.
- Analyze characters, setting, and plot.
- Recognize author’s purpose and text features.
- Build vocabulary and use context clues.
- Read independently with fluency, expression, and comprehension.
Your writer will…
- Write opinion, informative/explanatory, and narrative pieces.
- Organize writing with a clear structure and strong details.
- Develop ideas with facts, examples, and supporting details.
- Use descriptive language and precise words.
- Revise and edit writing to make it clearer and stronger.
- Use correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
- Publish writing neatly and proudly.
Cursive: a timeless skill
We will be learning cursive this year! Why it matters:
- Improves fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Helps with reading by reinforcing letter recognition.
- Encourages focus, patience, and perseverance.
- Useful for signing your name, filling out forms, and everyday life.
- A skill that lasts a lifetime.
Little practice at home makes a big difference — model neat handwriting whenever you can.
4th Grade Battle of the Books
Battle of the Books is a fun, team-based reading competition. Students read and prepare for questions about wonderful books. Our competition is in March.
Book Report Plan
April & May
Students may choose any chapter book they are interested in for their book report.
All year long
Each month, share the book with one project from the Choice Board — plus a Memory Jogger.
Open the Choice Board →Print the Memory Jogger →
2026–2027 Battle of the Books list
- 1. The One and Only IvanKatherine Applegate
- 2. Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to CompareGene Barretta
- 3. Freckle JuiceJudy Blume
- 4. Bobbie the Wonder Dog: A True StoryTricia Brown
- 5. TornadoBetsy Byars
- 6. The Chocolate TouchPatrick Skene Catling
- 7. Muggie MaggieBeverly Cleary
- 8. FrindleAndrew Clements
- 9. The Lemonade WarJacqueline Davies
- 10. Because of Winn-DixieKate DiCamillo
- 11. Boxes for KatjeCandace Fleming
- 12. InvestigatorsJohn Patrick Green
- 13. The First State of BeingErin Entrada Kelly
- 14. Nim's IslandWendy Orr
- 15. ClementineSara Pennypacker
- 16. Knights of the Kitchen TableJon Scieszka
- 17. I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919Lauren Tarshis
- 18. The Boxcar ChildrenGertrude Chandler Warner
- 19. Charlotte's WebE. B. White
- 20. You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!Jonah Winter
Book reports
Monthly Book Report Choice Board
Same story. Different magic. You choose!
Each month, choose one way to share your book. Use your creativity, show what you learned, and let your love of reading shine. Every option must include a filled-out Memory Jogger along with your project. Be sure to include the title, author, and a thoughtful response to the story. Do your best work and have fun!
Book Memory Jogger
Print Odyssey’s official form and send it with the project. The page is set up with two copies. Turn it in to the library for an entry into a prize drawing.
- 1
Create a Book Poster
Design a colorful poster with key details, favorite parts, a quote, and a picture that represents the story.
- 2
Write a Letter to a Character
Write a letter to a character in the book. Tell them what you liked, ask questions, or give advice. Include why they are important to the story.
- 3
Book Review
Write a book review. Include a summary, what you liked (or didn’t), who you would recommend it to, and a star rating (out of 5).
- 4
Diorama in a Box
Create a 3D scene from your book using a shoebox or small box. Include labels or a short explanation of your scene.
- 5
Character Profile
Create a profile for a main character. Include their personality, traits, challenges, and how they change throughout the story.
- 6
Alternative Ending
Rewrite the ending! How else could the story have ended? Write (and illustrate, if you’d like) a new ending to the book.
- 7
Movie Trailer
Create a short movie trailer (1–2 minutes) for your book. Use props, acting, or slides. Make it exciting and convincing!
- 8
Setting Travel Brochure
Design a travel brochure that invites others to visit the setting of your book. Include key locations, fun facts, and colorful images or drawings.
- 9
Make a Book Playlist
Create a playlist of 5–10 songs that match the story, characters, or themes. List the songs and explain why you chose each one.
- 10
One-Pager
Create a one-page summary using words, pictures, doodles, and symbols. Be creative! Include the most important details and your personal response.
- 11
Teach It!
Pretend you are the teacher. Create a short presentation to teach the class about your book. You can use slides, props, or a visual aid.
- 12
Free Choice
Have a different idea? Go for it! Choose your own creative way to share your book. Just make sure it shows your understanding and love of reading.
Reading is a journey worth taking. Every great reader was once a beginner.
Book club
Scholastic Book Club
Families can order books through our class page. Every order helps our classroom library grow, too. Happy reading!
Class codeRM32L
How families can help at home
Read together
Read together every day and talk about the story, characters, and what it teaches.
Talk about books
Ask questions, make connections, and help your child think more deeply about what they read.
Encourage writing
Invite stories, journals, lists, or notes. Celebrate ideas first, then gently tidy the writing.
Practice cursive
A few minutes of cursive at home each week builds confidence. Little practice makes a big difference.
Celebrate effort
Notice perseverance. A love of reading grows when trying is treated as a victory.