Here are some easy steps to help your child be successful in completing long term projects.  The more organized and involved your child is in the planning process, the more successful the project will be.

1.  Read over the long term assignment with your child and ask them what the final outcome of the project might look like. If they are unable to determine what the expected outcome is, use Google Images or YouTube to help your child find an example online (i.e. What is a timeline?)

2.  Print out a blank calendar to help with the planning process.  Begin by writing due dates and additional extra-curricular activities that may impact the completion of the project.  The following website is a good resource for free printable calendars:  http://www.printable2014calendars.com/preview/2014

3.  Help your child make a "To Do" List of steps required to complete the project.  Click here to access a website, which has free printable checklists to aide in organization

4.  Help your child plan and write expected completion dates/tasks for each day on the calendar to help break down the task into smaller, more manageable steps.  *It is always helpful to try and have the project completion goal at least one whole day before the actual due date in order to allow time to correct mistakes or add final details.  *It is also helpful to write these dates in pencil, as we all know that plans change sometimes. 

5.  If your child is expected to read a book as part of their project (i.e. book report), determine how many pages he/she will read each night.  Then use Post-It Notes to mark off goals for each reading session.

6.  Use Post-It Notes to summarize each part of the reading passage.  This will help with the organization/completion of a written assignment.

7.  If a poster is required, use an extra piece of paper to draw/map out what the poster will look like and where items will go.  Post-It Notes can also be used to map out the lay out of a poster.  For example, write "Title" on a Post-It and place it where the title will be on the actual poster.

8.  Once the project is complete, help your child determine if additional details need to be added.

9.  If an oral report is required, allow time to practice presenting to you or another family member.

Helpful Items For Project Planning:

-A folder designated specifically for projects.  Keep the actual assignment, calendar, and smaller items in this folder.

-Post-It Notes

-Calendar