Age group(s) for which this strategy is helpful:
Elementary School

Instructions for using this strategy:
Writing book reports can be challenging for students with special needs, especially when they are required to read and report on chapter books.

My 3rd graders are often overwhelmed by the task of writing a book report. I have explained this strategy to many parents over the years and they have reported that it helped their child to remember what the book was about and to write the book report.

Get several sheets of lined paper and staple them together to make a booklet.

Each time your child finishes reading a chapter, have him write 1 or 2 sentences to describe what happened in that chapter. Guide your child to write the sentences IN HIS OWN WORDS. Be sure he describes the events in the proper order.

Before starting a new chapter, have your child read what he has written about the previous chapter(s). This will help him to remember what is happening in the story.

When your child finishes the last chapter, have him write a few sentences to describe how the book ended.

Your child now has a summary of the chapter book he just read. He can use this summary to write his book report.

Other information parents should consider:
1. Help your child be organized, set aside a daily reading time and stick to it.

2. Be sure the book is on your child's reading level. Many paperback books indicate the reading level on the back cover. For example: RL 3 means the book is written on a 3rd grade reading level.

3. Try to find a book that will be interesting to your child.

4. Familiarize yourself with the book your child is reading. Read it yourself if you possibly can. This will help you to guide your child in the right direction when writing the report.