Breath . . . I know you want to loose it! It looks like she's not trying, but remember what it was like at that age to write a report. Writing can be a difficult task. Once she gets past the first sentance she will probably do better. It can be really tough to get started. It's also the time of year all of us start feeling bumbed about school - us and them!! My DS is starting to have serious trouble staying on task too. Sometimes I send him for walk around the house and then get him started again. Maybe there is something you can do to help her focus . . . ugh!
Maybe give her guidelines on what is expected to be in the report? I know my DD doesn't know how to start most times, but as soon as I tell her what needs to be included she just takes off. It could also be the winter burn out Good luck!
It is the curse of sitting in front of the computer. :wink: So many times have I come online to check something legitimate and next thing I know I have checked my email, facebook, and the spot, and forgotten what I originally came online for. :roll: Glad she finally produced some work.
When I have assigned reports, some of my students have required a topic sentence. So I'll give them one: (for example) "Susan B. Anthony was a famous American woman who stood up for what she believed in." Some of my students have required me to give them a sort of outline: born where, when; died where, when; what she's most famous for; other things she did to achieve her goal.
I work with an 11yo 6th grader and she can take DAYS to write a report! I have finally found out what works for her. We TALK about the material she's writing on. I lead her through a 5 to 10 minute conversation about the topic, I get her to answer (verbally) the 5w's and h, then I get her to tell me about her opinions etc. Then I repeat everything back to her in a more logical order and have her write it down. Then we fight about the style of the report, but we at least have something on the page.
Wow I can really relate! It has taken DS8 three days to write a science experiment summary, and I only asked him to write three sentences for each of the three experiment sections. I thought he would NEVER finish! I'm glad your daughter finished her report!
My son did that once last year...it was a honest to goodness hour and a half and all he had to do was pretty much copy the bullet points from the board into his paper. It did not end well and we ended up having to switch writing curriculum to build up his confidence. This was a 7th grader! This year he's like a different kid - he whips out essays like there is no tomorrow. I have no idea...kids are strange.
That's when I set the timer and tell her that you expect x-amount done by the time it goes off. If it doesn't happen, fine. Explain that she has just spent the last hour of her "free time" doing nothing, and you will expect her to make it up later this evening (when Daddy's home, if possible, so you can have some back-up :wink. Then move on to whatever subject is next. And if she has plans for the evening (sports practice, friends, youth group, whatever), she can call whoever to let them know why she won't be able to make it tonight. (I think the idea of calling her soccer coach to explain WHY she wouldn't be at practice is what "broke" Rachael!)
