Cereal Box Book Reports

This super idea came from my field experience teacher.

Each student chose a fictional book of interest on his or her independent reading level. Students were given a week to read their book. Reading was done mostly at home. Some students used extra time in class to get ahead on their reading.

The teacher had a classroom aid wrap empty cereal boxes (brought in by the students) in white butcher block paper. Each student was given a box after they were wrapped.

Each student received a set of forms to be completed, along with a project rubric. The forms were used to help the students capture details from and summarize the stories they'd read.


In the end, each student was asked to create a fictitious "cereal-sounding" name for his or her
cereal that tied in the title or main characters/theme of the story they'd read. Students created an illustration for the front of their box using various art supplies and the new cereal name. On the left side of the box was the "Key Ingredients" which listed the setting, plot, theme, main characters, etc. On the right side of the box was the "Product Summary" which was a short summarization of the book. On the back each student was required to create a cereal box game which incorporated aspects of the story. Some students made crossword puzzles or word searches; others made riddles or jokes based on their books.




Extra credit was given to students who completed the required components and also made a story-linked prize to go in their cereal.


Students spent time practicing how they would advertise their cereal and book to their peers, and then each student presented their cereal box book report to the class. Students had their photos taken with an iPad while presenting and the photos and cereal boxes will be displayed in the classroom.

What a creative way for students to engage with a text, as well as other students. Students thought about the stories they'd read, aspects of advertisement, artistic design, writing, and how to engage their peers.