Note about Research Paper and Pizza Party

Greetings, everyone!

     Today is the dreaded due date for the research paper, and I am sure that stress and anxiety levels are high. I would like to provide some comical relief, if I may, and share some of the responses from last week's drill question: "What can I do to further help you with the research paper?" Many answers were of course "give us more time" or "shorten the paper"...yet some were truly unique. One student said "Give us candy, lots of candy." Whereas another said "Write the paper for us." Another (one of my person favorite reactions) said "Don't make us cite things...who cares if someone else said it first? Plagiarism is overrated!"

    All joking aside, the research process is one that students must learn how to do effectively in 9th and 10th grade, so that they can use those skills for the rest of high school. Currently, all students should know the basics of note-taking, outlining, drafting, and citing, and will continue to build upon these skills next year. Knowing the basics of how to do these essential parts of the writing process will help students both in future English classes and in other classes in which they will have to write research papers. Although it may seem overwhelming (and maybe even a little confusing) at times, in the end all students should be commended on completing their first research papers of high school. I promise that the process gets easier over time, and that everything will eventually become second nature (yes, even citing your sources!).

     Speaking of things getting easier in time... PIZZA PARTY ON FRIDAY! Thanks to everyone in my classes bringing in several hundred cans for the Salvation Army canned food drive, all of my classes will be rewarded on Friday with a pizza party during class. Students in Period 1 will be given a pass to come to my 4A class that during C and D lunch to partake in the festivities, since 7:25-8:19am is far too early for pizza! The Salvation Army Club (in conjunction with the Salvation Army branch in Howard County) will be providing pizza, beverages, plates, cups, and napkins, and students are encouraged to bring in anything else they wish to share with the class. I will provide brownies for all students (as I love to bake and will need a break from grading research papers!), and many other students have already volunteered to bring in chips, cookies, and other yummy treats. If you are interested in helping us out, please email me or let me know in class. This will be a great way to end the week and to celebrate your hard work not only for a good cause, but also for completing the research paper process!