District News

Students learn writing and research skills with freshman paper

 

May, 2011

 

Starting during their freshman year, Canajoharie High School students must write a research paper using multiple sources. As freshman, they get to pick their topic, and this year, the topics range from motocross and diabetes to steroids and soccer.

"It's the first step in our four-year research/writing program," said librarian Tammy Jones. "I love to see them start as novices and by the time they graduate, they're expert research paper writers."

Freshman English teacher Randi Korona says the paper - usually two to six pages long - helps enforce the basic writing skills students have learned during the year.

"This is an intro to basic skills. It's not an opinion piece and they can pick any topic except for a person," Mrs. Korona said. "By the time they're done, their writing is pretty good."

The Canajoharie English department has been recognized for its writing skills in the past. In 2009, Mrs. Jones, Beth Sunderland, Mrs. Fatta, Randi Korona, and Richele Simmons-Mollica were presenters at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention. There, they shared their experiences teaching students expository writing — writing to prove or argue a point.

The research paper is just part of the project, as students are charged with creating a works cited page, poster and making a presentation. Mrs. Korona asks her students to use at least one book source and one database when looking for information. And, if they can help it, to avoid Wikipedia.

"It's a pretty fun project," said freshman Logan Sala, who is writing his paper on diabetes. "My grandfather has it, so I want to learn more about it."

Janelle Dillenbeck picked the FIFA World Cup because of her penchant for soccer. "I enjoy soccer and want to know more about its history," she said.

Mrs. Korona expects the project to conclude around Memorial Day and says students do in fact conclude their freshman year as improved writers.

"We focus on different styles of writing throughout the year, so this is proof that they have learned those styles," she added.