Book Tasting Activity - Exploring Genres for Independent Reading Class Activity

$6.99
Unit price per

Digital Download

Book Tasting Activity - Exploring Genres for Independent Reading Class Activity: Transform your classroom into a cozy bistro with this engaging book tasting activity that helps students sample different genres and discover new books they are excited to read. Designed to spark curiosity and build a love of reading, the Book Tasting Bistro lets students “taste” books instead of food, moving through four courses where they review covers, blurbs, and first pages before choosing their “Top Dish.” This interactive classroom activity works for upper elementary, middle school, or even high school and is a fun, low-stakes way to introduce a wide variety of genres while setting a positive tone for independent reading. It also works well as a back to school activity to get students reading an independent novel.

Included in the Book Tasting Activity:

➡️ Teacher Instructions: Use the complete step-by-step instructions to set up your classroom as a bistro, from invitations to room décor. The guide includes preparation tips, suggestions for arranging stations by genre, and facilitation strategies for keeping the tasting smooth and engaging.

➡️ Book Tasting Presentation Slides: Use this 34 slide presentation to guide students through the activity. Slides introduce the bistro theme, explain the review process, and walk students through the four courses—Appetizer, Soup & Salad, Main Course, and Dessert.

➡️ Book Review Student Assignment: Students will use this main assignment sheet to record their impressions of each book they sample during the tasting. For every course, they evaluate the cover, blurb, and first few pages before giving a final rating and deciding whether they’d keep reading.

➡️ Double-Sided Review Process Handout: Provide students with this handout to keep them on track during the activity. One side outlines the “Plating & Presentation,” “First Bite,” “Flavor Profile,” and “Final Rating” steps; the other side includes the four courses (Appetizer, Soup & Salad, Main Course, Dessert), where students record the book titles they sample at each stage.

➡️ Plate Page: Students will place their chosen books on this decorative “plate” page as they move through each course. These add a fun, visual element to the classroom setup and make the tables feel more like a restaurant, while also helping students keep track of what they’ve sampled.

➡️ Book Bistro Invitations: Hand out these printable invitations the day before the activity to build anticipation. They set the stage for the event and make students feel like special guests at a bistro.

➡️ Book Bistro Poster: Display the poster on your classroom door to welcome students to the tasting. This visual hook sets the mood as soon as they enter, making the activity feel like a special event.

➡️ Genre Table Signs: Use the included table signs for Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, and Science Fiction to guide students as they rotate through the bistro stations. A blank sign is also included if you want to write in your own genre.

How the Book Tasting Activity Works:

Prepare by gathering 4–6 titles for each of the six included genres and placing them at genre stations. Print the invitations, posters, table signs, and student handouts to set up your classroom bistro.
Welcome students to the Book Tasting Bistro, hand out their materials, and project the first slide to introduce the activity.
Students rotate through the four courses (Appetizer, Soup & Salad, Main Course, Dessert), sampling a book at each stop. They examine the cover and title, read the blurb, and skim the first few pages before rating their “taste.”
At the end of the activity, students reflect on their notes and choose their “Top Dish”—the book they are most excited to keep reading.

This Book Tasting classroom activity is the perfect way to expose students to new genres, build excitement for reading, and create an interactive classroom atmosphere that students will remember.

© Presto Plans

➡️ Want 10 free ELA resources sent to your inbox? Click here!