My nine-year-old freezes up when it comes time to start his monthly project for school. Generally he has to do a 3-5 paragraph book report for his third grade class. A craft project of some sort goes along with the book report. Invariably come Saturday morning with a week to go before it is do we are left arguing with him about starting. Just to get him to write the first sentence, pencil to paper. We brainstorm his report with him, help him come up with the idea for the first sentence, even suggest some wording. But all this time he deflects everything we are trying to do. He's hungry, he's tired,has a headache, can't remember, every excuse in the book. Eventually the whining becomes so annoying we start threatening, no game cube, no tv, sent to room, etc.
How can we make this procedure more automatic. I've taught high school English and am familiar with educational theory, but am stuck when it comes to my own son.
Suggestions?
2007-03-24 05:14:43 · 5 answers · asked by Vlad0401 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Why try to do it all the Saturday before it is due? Start earlier in the month.
Can you do a beginning, middle, end approach to the paragraphs? That way he may not feel so overwhelmed by having to do it all in one day.
Also, can it be computer generated? If so, why can't you scribe for him on paper first - make sure it is his words, don't do any paraphrasing for him and then see if he will type it with less fuss.
If you set aside an hour each Saturday to work on it, with a reward after - maybe a family outing, you may have him more excited. And keep to the same time each Saturday - say have breakfast, and then we will work for one hour and then everyone goes out to see a movie.
Hope some of these suggestions work - it is always seems to be harder to work with our children than with a classroom full of students!
2007-03-24 15:36:06 · answer #1 · answered by harleighzoe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a tough one! I suggest you take away all his excuses.
1. Start his project after breakfast on Saturday morning.
2. Make sure he goes to bed on time every night ( not just the night before the project).
3. The headache ??? tell him you'll take him to a doctor.
4. Each time he comes up with an excuse just fulfil his need.
This will take lots of patience but it will avoid a conflict. He will eventually run out of excuses or else he'll see how ridiculous it is. (I would focus on his excuses for a while rather than on his writing.)
Remember, 'You'll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar."
Good Luck!
2007-03-24 08:30:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, what a challenge!
Do you think he would respond to a challenge? Something like, get started on this project and we will reward you? I know it's like bribery, but maybe with a "carrot" dangling in front, he'll respond. With every excuse and postponement, the "reward" is diminished?
Have you spoken with his teacher? Does he/she have any ideas?
Has he been tested? Are there any learning disabilities you need to work around?
I was wondering if maybe those learning centers like Sylvan would have any suggestions. It's not cheap, so I was wondering if they could consult/suggest without signing your son up for the programs.
Good luck.
2007-03-24 05:20:37 · answer #3 · answered by Lizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't just threaten do it! first take away the gamecube. put it up in your closet. remove anything fun from his room and send him there. Tell him to write the project or he will not be able to watch tv, play games, go over to friends houses, if he does not finish it this weekend. Also tell him that if he doesn't, he will have to do his homework first thing coming home from school.
2007-03-24 05:26:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read a book
2007-03-24 05:17:26 · answer #5 · answered by supsupcutiegirl 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋