Columnist Cassandra Walker
Remember when you were in grade school and you had to do a book report?
Some kids tried to pick an easy reader that was only 15 pages long, only to be told by their teacher to pick a more difficult book.
I must admit I tried that trick once or twice.
Well, today the teachers are starting earlier and earlier assigning book reports and they are not your average one-paragraph explanations.
Gone are the days when you could pick up a book, read it and write in 100 words or less the theme, characters and author of the book.
My first grader has come home with several book reports assigned by his teacher.
Keep in mind these are six- and seven-year-olds.
The first one was a diorama, where he had to make a shoe box story line of his book, complete with figurines and all.
Of course my son picked a sports theme. Trying to find a Michael Jordan doll and a toy to be his mother was quite an experience.
The second book report was a mobile. He had to make the characters our of paper or cardboard, decorate them, (not just crayon, we are talking yarn, stencils and glitter). He then had to place each character in order of importance on a hanger. When he returned to class he had to stand in front of the students and tell his report.
Talk about teaching the children early “how to” present.
This last book report was son number four’s favorite. He had to make his own drawing of the cover the book, glue that drawing to a piece of construction paper, then cut it into puzzles pieces.
At school another student was to try and figure out how to put the puzzle back together.
This has been a learning year for both our youngest son and me! I enjoy it when teachers pull out there best in the students and challenge them. These assignments have been so much fun.
Thank you, Mrs. Meyer.
Now that is really something to share.
Thanks for sharing