Grade 1-3 Teacher Guidelines

Student Supplies:
Writing utensils, paper, handouts, texts for 
students
Prepare Ahead of Time:
Prepare copies of handouts, 
Options for Lesson:
Day one: Students will 
complete the warm up activity and then watch 
the teacher navigate the sample passage and 
report. Together, they will complete the anchor 
chart which discusses the steps of creating a 
book report.. Students will complete activity 
page 1 with a partner.
Day Two: Students complete the second 
activity page and practice page independently. 
Teacher will go over these assessments and 
assign homework. Students conclude by 
presenting their book reports to the class/
small groups within the class.

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Teacher Notes
Creating book reports combines multiple skills needed for effective written communication, as well as providing 
reading and comprehension practice. Writing a book reports allows students to summarize, state opinions, 
and identify key information in written format from what they’ve read. Studies show that when reading and 
writing are tied together, it increases student comprehension and reinforces the connection between reading 
and written communication. A book report is a simple format that will ease students into writing more in depth 
styles of reports later in their education.

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Writing a Book Report
Sample book report on Brave Irene by William Steig
Brave Irene is a story written and illustrated by William Steig. In this story, Irene is a little girl who is 
brave enough to battle through a snowstorm to help her sick mother keep a promise and deliver a dress on 
time. 
Irene’s mother, Mrs. Bobbin, is a dressmaker who makes wonderful clothes. As the story opens, Mrs. 
Bobbin is just finishing a beautiful gown for the duchess. She’s promised to deliver the dress to the castle, 
but she comes down with a bad cold. Besides being sick, a snow storm is starting. With Mrs. Bobbin too sick 
to go, Irene volunteers. 
After Irene takes care of her sick mother and gets her to bed, she starts out for the castle. At first, the 
storm isn’t too bad. As the story goes on, the snow storm gets worse, and the wind starts to push Irene into 
snow drifts and rip the beautiful dress box out of her hands. At one point, the wind actually manages to tear 
the dress out of the box, and it looks like Irene has made this dangerous journey for nothing. 
Even though Irene is tempted to quit, she does not. Though she has lost the dress, she knows she 
has to let the duchess know what happened. She struggles through the storm to the castle, and there, caught 
in a tree, is the dress! Irene is able to keep her mother’s promise after all! 
Everyone in the castle is amazed at Irene’s heroic actions and also concerned about her after she 
braved the snow storm. Irene is treated like a guest of honor and given a bed in the castle for the night. The 
next day, Irene goes home with gifts from the duchess and doctor for her sick mother. Her mother is so proud 
and thankful for her courageous daughter.
I really liked the book Brave Irene because it is a story that takes a simple situation and turns an 
ordinary girl into a hero. Irene just wanted to help her mother and do what is right. Even though it was difficult, 
she didn’t quit. My favorite part is when she arrives at the castle and the duchess invites her to join the party. 
I loved how little Irene is suddenly an honored guest and gets to dance with all the important grown ups. 
Brave Irene will make you smile and remind you to be brave. No matter what life throws at you, don’t 
give up! That’s the message I got from 
Brave Irene
. I hope you’ll read it and be inspired, too!

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Activity