The beginning of January is considered research paper time in my class for both my sophomores and seniors. The fact that research takes time is what students do not have. For this reason, I give more than enough time to complete most or all the research in class. While students see this as just another assignment, I view it as a learning lesson. Many think it's all about the research or writing the paper. But what these students don't know is that they are learning even if they don't complete all the assignments. Let me explain:
1) students research material online about a topic that interests them. From this research, whether they are researching or not, they are still learning;
2) students are learning to collaborate with each other. While they research, they socialize but they are discussing their own topics;
3) the unit is based on student-centered approach where I, as the teacher, is able to monitor by walking around the room helping students. The students were able to choose their own informative topic to research;
4) Formative assignments were given to complete during the research portion of the paper. As we progressed through the research, I used Differentiated Instruction on completing work in a timely manner. Each day students were to complete specific assignments to catch up on work. Students worked at their own progress. While they thought they were just completing work, they were organizing their time to complete each step before the next one;
5) Even if the paper was not completed, students still learned as they researched.
We can't always expect EVERY student to complete the work. But they are still learning and applying the skills they learned.
With the research paper over, my English 2 students are now in the novel unit. We are reading Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Before each unit, students learn about the author, background, and a few connections to the novel. This past week, I was able to connect: health, philosophy, psychology, law, history, and of course, English. It's not about forcing the connections in class but it was about creating the connections authentically as it happens.
We tend to forget that students learn everyday they are in class. While it may not seem like they are paying attention, they are still retaining information.
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