Periodically, I like to sneak a peak and see what other children are doing in their studies. It's a great way to get ideas.   Although we follow a Scope and Sequence to help my Eclectic way of teaching,  I also like to get ideas from others on creative ways to implement some of the things we have learned throughout the year.

This year, I decided to end our year in a fun "study" kind-of-way.  I thought we would put our language skills, art skills, history skills and science skills into action.  Yes, I chose to have my 5th grader do a report....  a written report.  Just the words made him cringe, but after he got started...  he begged to do more!  Can you believe it?  Let me explain what we did...  I had my son pick an animal to study.  We used the computer to find three different resources about this animal.  Then, we did a quick review of the different paragraphs we learned how to write this year.  Then, I explained how they work in a report.   I even incorporated his favorite thing...  art and computer writing.  I had him draw a diagram of the animal, color it and so forth...  then, type his report out on the computer.  He loved it!!!   This will definitely be one to show off at promotion night!!!

If you are interested in doing the same with your child, here is my outline:
(I also incorporated handwriting by having him write his first draft out by hand)

1. Choose an animal to study
2. Find three different resources explaining about that animal
3. Write an introduction paragraph. This should grab your readers attention.  Share what you hope to accomplish in this report and why you choose this animal.
4. Write a paragraph about what the animal looks like.  Describe you animal's body, including size, colors, weight, and skin texture.
5. Write a paragraph about it's young.  Describe how the babies look, their size, how they are cared for and what they are called.
6. Write a paragraph about your animals enemies.  How does your animal protect itself? 
   
7. Write a conclusion paragraph.  Briefly summarize your favorite things you learned about your animal.
   
8. Make a title page and resource page.
9. Type your report on the computer.  Read carefully and make any changes necessary. 
   
10. Turn report in as rough draft for corrections.
11. Re-type final report.
12. Draw a diagram of animal - use colored pencils to illustrate the different parts of the body.
13. Place report and diagram in Report Folder
14. Optional:  Make a paper mache model of your animal

Hope you have fun!!!  Please let me know if you also decide to do a report!!!  Remember, with a few minor adjustments, you can gear this report for any grade.