For the fourth nine weeks, I have decided to assign a research paper for the class to do. The paper is going to be due in stages, and the due dates are below. I feel this will be a valuable tool for the students, because they will be entering middle school in the fall. Part of the requirement will be to have a correct bibliography page. The students are to see page 231 in their Writers Express for the appropriate way to the the bibliography page. If this is left off, the student will loose points from the final grade.

Step One: Write a letter of proposal. Each student is to write a letter to me stating the topic you would like to study and why.

Step Two: Once step one has been completed the entire class will network with one another. Individuals will discuss with other students for possible resources for the paper. For example a student that is doing bridges may find out through this networking part that someone's relative designs bridges and they can interview the person.

Step Three: The students will submit a letter to me, listing the resources they plan to use. The student will also propose a format for an oral presentation about the topic.

Step Four: I will meet with each student to troubleshoot any difficulties they may be having.

Step Five: In this step the student will present the topic orally. The class will then evaluate the student's performance.

The due dates are as follows

Step One	April 5, 2000
Step Two	April 13, 2000
Step Three	April 13, 2000
Step Four	April 24, 25, 26, 27, 2000
Step Five	April 28, and May 2, 3, 4, 2000