Book into Movie Project: Compare and Contrast Book Report and Essay

Many students don’t realize that some or many of the movies that they love were first books.  They are often surprised to find out that the movie came second or that there's even a book the movie is based on. 

In the 47-page Common Core standards-aligned resource, Book into Movie Project: Compare and Contrast Book Report, and Essay students in 6th-9th grade will read a book, watch the movie that is based on or adapted from the book, and then write a book review in which they take a stand on which is better and why.  The comprehensive lesson plan and guide provides teachers with everything they need to give 6th through 12th grade students the tools to critically analyze the similarities and differences between the two, including helping them to support their claim with evidence and analysis. Because the project offers many handouts, a sample student essay to analyze, and a writing template, your diverse student population of English Language Learners and Resource Students can be as successful as your regular ed and GATE students. After completing this project, many students will realize that although they liked the movie, they preferred the book for a variety of reasons, including visualizing the characters and settings themselves and explaining why that made the book better. They will notice that they didn’t like how the movie adaptors changed aspects of the plots or characters, and they offer an analysis of these omissions and their impact on the storyline. They will react positively when the movie includes something they really liked or when what they visualized matches up with the adaptation.  Some will prefer the movie over the book, and they will be able to articulate why. Overall, students have told me that this is one of their favorite book projects.

This unit includes the following:

• A detailed lesson plan with objectives, and learning targets aligned to Common Core Standards

• Book Browse: Book into Movie

• Books that Have Been Made into Movies and Where to Watch Them

• Book into Movie: Overview of the Project

• Book into Movie Compare and Contrast Reading and Viewing Guide

• Book into Movie Essay Directions

• Helpful Hints for Writing

• Samples of introductions, topic sentences, conclusion

• Book into Movie Writing Template for those who need it (RSP, ELL, and struggling writers)

• Book into Movie Sample Essay, student copy, and teacher copy

• Book into Movie Rubric

• Book into Movie Grading Sheet

Other Resources You Might Be Interested In:

Book Reports:

• Autobiography/Biography Genre Study Book Report and Speech

• Book into Movie Project: Compare and Contrast Book Report and Essay

• Book Jacket Book Report

• Character Analysis Essay, Gift for a Character Book Report, and Oral Presentation

• Historical Fiction Genre Study Book Report

• Historical Fiction Genre Study Literature Circle Project

• Poetry Book Report

• Mini-Reviews Book Report

• Mystery, Thriller, Horror, and Suspense Genre Study Book Report

• Narrative Nonfiction Genre Study Book Report Project

• Poetry Book Report

• Dystopian. Science Fiction, and Fantasy Genre Study Game Board Project

Reading Units:

Creating Independent Readers in your Middle School Classroom which is available as 1 unit or as individual resources

• Part 1: What We Do When We Read:

• Part 2: Reading Logs, Setting Goals, and Reflection

• Part 3: Summary Writing for Short Stories

• Part 4: Metacognitive Logs: Reading Response

Bonus: How to Set Up An Amazing Classroom Library (without Spending Much Money):

Google Slide Shows: 

• Characterization: What It Is and How to Develop It

• Writing with Suspense

• If you have any questions, please email me at gruenwaldy1@gmail.com