Oh dear--I gave an assignment that was way too difficult

[Alana in Canada]

for my child to do.

It's a book report (we've never done one before) and since the forms I'd downloaded said "Grade two" on them, he picked the most difficult one to start with.

That would have worked out fine if we'd picked a ridiculously easy book, like "Mr. Putter and Tabby Paint the Porch" (which I pulled out to "help" him understand plot).

I gave him the option of doing his book report on the Mr Putter book, but he really wanted to do it on the book he's reading...a book in a series with lots of characters and many plots and twists.

I've looked at his plot summary and it doesn't make any sense to me...what should I do?

[5wolfcubs]

Typically, 2nd graders can think better & faster then they can write. I'll bet he does understand the plot. Can you have him tell it to you orally and write it down for him?

[Vanna]

If it were me, I would just skip it:). If you feel your child must do it, then make it a mother-child project and do it together giving lots of help and encouragement.

I have come across work that was too difficult for my child to do at the time even though it supposedly was for their grade level. So far, nothing lost for bypassing work beyond their ability.

HTH!

[swimnactmom]

I have done this too. Since he's already started it, but especially because he really wants to complete it, I would not discourage him. I would help him through it even if you have to go through it paragraph by paragraph.

[Alana in Canada]

Thanks, Ladies.
I haven't actually read the book :( but I thought his sentences should make sense to me. His father --who has read the book--says it's a "pretty good" plot summary. So, I asked him to help ds work on getting it in "good form" and he balked. (sigh).

Guess what I'm taking to bed?