Searching for new ideas for a book project but not sure where to start? If you are like me, you love finding new engaging ideas for your students. However, finding projects specifically for a novel can be tough. I don’t want to give a test or assign a book report. I really love when students can share their creativity because they always surprise me. But making sure my students are completing standards based assessments on the same level can be difficult. If you are ready to update your novel project ideas, check out my list of 12 projects that you can implement right away in your classroom!
Hey teacher, before I share my book project ideas, I wanted to give you a shortcut to starting your novel projects. Check out my Novel Study Project Ideas resource so your students can start their creativity right away. Students have access to 12 project choices with the Novel Project Choice Board. Each novel project includes a Project Requirement handout that includes a place to brainstorm ideas. Each creative assessment also comes with a detailed rubric for easy grading. Want to know more about each project option, keep reading below.
Why Book Project Ideas Are Better
When Chapter Tests Don’t Work
When I first started teaching, I thought that I needed to quiz my students. How was I supposed to know that they are understanding the novel? Plus chapter tests and a big exam at the end of the novel were easy to grade. But memorizing information about the plot is not higher level thinking. It certainly does not allow for creativity or show a deeper understanding of a text. I wanted something more for my students but it took quite a few years to find something that worked. That’s where these ideas for a book project were born.
Why You Should Switch to a Novel Study Project
You are an awesome teacher who is looking for more for your students. I know you are ready for a change, and I have the perfect ones. You do not need to spend hours changing your curriculum or searching for the perfect project. All you need is to have your novel and a few days to commit to project work time. If you want your students to share their understanding of the main characters, conflicts, events, and themes from the novel, then novel projects are for you. Give your students a chance to show off their skills and creativity. Without restrictions or info regurgitation, your students will exceed your expectations. Ready to start with novel projects, then keep reading to learn about each of my 12 novel study project ideas.
12 Projects for Novels
Novel Project #1: Twitter Posts
Students choose the main character and their conflict for this project focus. Over the course of 12 tweets, students show the protagonist’s progression. The tweets include specific examples from the story to show understanding. While following the proper character format, each tweet can stand alone as a character’s thought. However, all tweets connect together to show the progression of a character.
Novel Project #2: TikToks
Allow students to combine the latest trends with their love of social media. What better way to showcase a main character and their struggles than with a TikTok series? Students create four TikToks videos that show the protagonist’s main conflict. By including specific examples from the novel, students show reading comprehension. Expect your students to bring the razzle-dazzle of music, voiceovers, captions, and more with this project.
Novel Project #3: Netflix Show
Think your students are binge-watching pros? Then creating their own Netflix show should be no problem. Students create a drama-filled show that focuses on the main character and their struggles. Students will create a show overview to tease the reader about their overall concept. The show will also include a set of eight episode overviews. Each episode will include a part of the protagonist’s story, an image, and an episode title.
Novel Project #4: Original Song
Music is such a great outlet for students. I am always surprised by the level of talent that some of my students have. Allow your students to take on the persona of the main character and have them create an original song. With two verses and a chorus, students will share the story of the protagonist’s struggle. They will set their song to music and then record themselves singing it. I always offer bonus to the bold students who want to sing it live to the class.
Novel Project #5: Spoitfy Playlist
For my nonmusically talented students who still love listening to songs, I have the Spotify Playlist project. Students map out the main character’s conflict and how they overcome it, and they tell that story through songs. In this character playlist, students choose 12 songs that show the progression of the protagonist struggle and how it ends up for them. Students create the playlist on Spotify and then add comments to each song explaining how that song relates to a specific part of the story. By pulling lyrics from the songs, students will also practice their citing and analyzing skills.
Novel Project #6: PSA Video
Have a student who deals better with facts and statistics? The PSA Video is the project for them. Students create their own Public Service Announcement based on the conflict of the main character. Formatted like a PSA, the 45-60 second video must include researched information, a call to action, and the next steps for the viewer. While the video itself must have a professional quality to it, students do not have to be in front of the camera for this project.
Novel Project #7: Diary Entries
If your students are more creative writers, they can step into the mind of the protagonist. First, students create 10 diary entries that provide insight into the character’s struggles and how they try to resolve them. Then, students will write these entries in first person point of view and in the classic diary form. Finally, students will show they understand the thoughts of their characters by adding specific examples from the story.
Novel Project #8: Children’s Book
Combining arts and creativity is a great outlet for your students with a children’s book. Students will take the main character and the lesson that they teach to create a story. Next, students design an eight page set that includes illustrations on each page and simple sentences to tell the protagonist’s conflict. The book should target a young audience that presents a clear theme.
Novel Project #9: Magazine Article
Some students who think logically will find the appeal of a magazine article. First, students will consider the protagonist’s main conflict and write a nonfiction piece on that conflict. Students should include research and facts about this topic. The article should also include an interview with the protagonist sharing their experience with this problem. I require the article to contain 750-1000 words, subheadings, images, and easy-to-read font.
Novel Project #10: Podcast
Podcasts are becoming increasingly popular and make a great character project. Students have the choice of conducting an interview with the character or creating the podcast as the character. The show must focus on the protagonist’s main conflict and their journey. The podcast has to be at least two minutes long and follow the format of a show with intro music, altro music, and a cover image. Students will need to make sure that they have clear audio for this project.
Novel Project #11: Poet’s Notebook
Some of my students excel at poetry and hardly ever get the chance to share it. In this project, students create a poet’s notebook of at least four poems. First, the poems must combine to be at least 40 lines but can follow any structure. And, the only requirements are that the poems relate to the main character and are written in poetic verse. Finally, the poems should connect in some way as they are a series. Finally, students should create a cover image for their collection.
Novel Project #12: Visual Art
For the artists in your class, challenge your students to create a visual art piece. Students have the freedom to create a visual piece in any medium. The focus of the piece should be the protagonist and their conflict. All artwork must be 100% created by the student. Finally, students need to include a one paragraph artist statement. The statement will provide insight into the artist’s choices and how it relates to the protagonist.
More Creative Ideas for Book Project
I hope these novel study project ideas help you to start thinking creatively. As you finish up your novel, start planning what projects you want your students to create in your classroom. One of the benefits of creative projects such as these ideas is that grading is so much more fun. Seeing your students show a deeper understanding of the characters and show off their skills.
I hope you love these ideas for a book project and you try them out with your students. And, I would love to hear what new ways you use these novel project ideas. If you have some new ideas for a book project, tag me or send me a DM @theteacherrewrite on Instagram. You can always see what other great things I am working on in my classroom by checking out my blog.
If you are ready to rewrite your novel project curriculum right away, check out my Novel Study Project Ideas resource. In this print or digital resource, I include all 12 novel project ideas from this post. Each project comes with a detailed description, a place to brainstorm, and a detailed rubric. These novel projects work with any novel so you can get started tomorrow. You are ready to start working on these novel projects right now. I can’t wait to hear all your ideas for a book project!
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