----- Original Message ----- From: laurie ornstein - laurenmadeline@xxxxxxxxx Subject: drawn into the book report discussion Hi All, Without repeating what's already been said... I don't consider the time taken to write book reports in class as "wasted". Especially, as has been mentioned, there are many weak pupils and this could be a guided writing task with the teacher's on-hand guidance. One more thing..we do not all read at the same speed. I've gone over from setting a date for the finish line when the entire class sits and writes book reports to staggered reading and reports. We start off the year together, choosing books. However, when pupils finish their books, we briefly discuss them and choose a suitable book task to be done in class while the rest of the class is reading. (I set aside 1 hour per week for extensive reading). Sometimes I let them complete or type their final draft at home after taking a peek at their classwork. Then they take themselves to the library to pick a new title; they recommend books to each other and often I help them find suitable book choices. There's a nice rhythm to it all. Last, remember, the IMPORTANT part of all this is the READING and not the writing. Laurie ----------------------------------------------- ** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org or - http://www.etni.org.il ** ** for help - ask@xxxxxxxx ** ** to post to this list - etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ** -----------------------------------------------