Learning the art of writing book reports can be a daunting task for many
kids (and their parents). This is the time of year when such assignments may
be coming fast and furious. Helping kids through the process may entail
everything from finding the right book, getting them "into" an assigned book
or getting that first thesis sentence down on a blank piece of paper.
The overall objective is not to write your child's paper (although at times
it does seem like a worthy solution) but to give your child strategies for
moving from the assignment sheet to the finished product.
Step One. If the assignment is open-ended, pick up on your child's own
interests whether it's about sports, sharks or the weather.
Step Two. If the assignment seems too broad, have your child re-read the
assignment with you. Most teachers give more specific assignments within a
broader category. Clarifying the assignment can reduce the anxiety level.
Step Three. The Internet can be a good starting point, but it can also be
overwhelming. Just going to Goggle and typing in Egypt produces over 13
million hits! Our suggestion is to approach the Internet together with a
more specific search, e.g. Egyptian art, hieroglyphics or the pyramids. Take advantage of resource sites for kids.
Step Four. Children's librarians are willing and wonderful resources for
kids. They will have a handle on age-appropriate materials for your child.
Step Five. Getting started on the reading process may at times be tough. An
assigned book that seems daunting is often easier if you dive in together and read a part of it aloud.
Step Six. Organization. Some kids get book happy. They have a stack of
books but how to zoom in and get started on the writing process can be another problem. While most teachers provide a framework for outlining the
assignment, it's a good idea to go over the game plan with your child before they get started with taking notes. Be sure your child has an outline
before they start taking notes otherwise you run the risk of them copying everything down. Using color-coded index cards for each section of the
outline also makes putting the paper together much easier.
Great Non-Fiction Choices
In the past, informational books tended to be dry and unappealing, but that
is no longer true. A wealth of fresh and fascinating non-fiction material
is one of the big new trends in publishing for children of all ages. Finding
good choices for young researchers is easier than ever.
Memorable Events
School age kids are often attracted to stories about horrific events. It's
not just the suspenseful story, but discovering that people survive and come
out of such events, often wiser than they were, that make such books
memorable. Here are two true stories that are guaranteed to grab the
reader's attention from start to finish....
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