Lane, Barry. 51 wacky we-search reports

Kliatt, May, 2004 by Paula Rohrlick

LANE, Barry. 51 wacky we-search reports. Illus. by Miles Bodimesde. Discover Writing Press (P.O. Box 264, Shoreham, VT 05770; www.discoverwriting.com). 180p. illus. bibliog. c2003. 0-9656574-6-9. $15.00. * Why should writing research reports be dull? Humorist and children's book author Lane offers ideas for presenting information in various creative ways: wacky art, such as trading cards or a wanted poster; concepts like "A Day in the Life of a Cell," "The Crazy Advice Column," biography board games, and offbeat menus ("for the species of your choice"); or parodies, such as a movie preview, auction, or job interview (I am writing this letter to recommend the Shoshone woman Sacagewea for a position in your tour Company ...").

Other suggestions include a testimonial TV ad; a rap poem; a top ten list ("Top Ten Things to Say to Your Mother When You Tell Her You Are Going to Fight in the Civil War"); goofy greeting cards ("To the Mongol Hordes"); cartoons; Web sites; graphs; performances (a press conference, a fashion show) and more. For each idea, Lane gives the setup (the basic concept and materials needed), the punch (like the punch line of a joke; how to make the presentation effective and humorous), a funny tip (further ideas for extending the project and making it amusing), and an example of a report. Cartoon-like b/w line drawings illustrate the ideas. The cover proclaims, "Face the facts with fun!" and this lively book has great suggestions for doing just that for upper elementary, middle school and junior high students and teachers alike. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT