Thoughts about senior papers

         This last week was a jam-packed with senior and junior research papers, poetry projects, and getting ready for prom. I was getting ready to leave about 3:30 when a student stopped in requesting help with a research paper. At first I was not too eager, but reflecting later I thought how for some kids these papers are an opportunity to really delve into an issue that is meaningful, requires deep thinking, and expand  horizons (both theirs and mine.) I had one male student request help with narrowing a focus on his global issue -- we decided on sexism. He read The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stief Larsson. And two students, researching two different novels about the Holocaust, were writing about courage and taking a stance for what is right. The key for all these papers was to connect with what is going on in the world today or how their novel is relevant in today's world.
     With all three students, I felt that we as educators are connecting with students and they are learning and finding things that are relevant. It was great to see the student choosing the sexism topic, because there are so many examples of media that portrays women being degraded and demeaned. It was also good to see these students seeing that and standing up for what is right! Anyway, it was worth spending a few extra hours on a Friday afternoon!