More Than a School, It's a Community.
January 11, 2021
Dear Parent / Guardian,
The eighth grade class is set to begin working on the research paper – a five to seven page paper typed in MLA format. This project will last the entirety of the third quarter with the final draft being due the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Your child has been given the option of working with a partner within his/her homeroom on this project. I asked the students who wish to do so to give me a list of three students with whom he/she would feel comfortable working. I then paired them up with one of those students. While each pair will submit one final draft of the paper, each student is responsible for his or her part of the research. Consequently, it is possible for the partners to have different overall grades for the project.
Each student will be given a list of websites to assist them in this process. While students will be guided through how to do an effective Google search, they will also be taught how to use academic databases through NebraskAccess. A password has been given to access that site. The Omaha Public Library has databases as well, but a library card will be needed to gain access to those.
Adequate class time will be provided for students to work with their partner or on their own at school. However, some students do work outside of class with their partner. Students will be completing this assignment via Google classroom and their Google accounts here at school. Research information and notes will be taken via Google Keep, a Chrome Extension available to them through their SPSL Google accounts. As a result, the paper can be accessed both at school and at home (anywhere there is internet access). The rough draft and the final copy both must be typed.
Below are listed the due dates for each part of the paper. Please keep this list in a location where it will be easy to keep track of due dates. For those students working with a partner, please note that some parts of the paper are graded individually and others are a partner grade.
DUE DATES
Part Responsibility Date Points
Question / Topic Card Partner Jan. 8 5
Parent signature Individual Jan. 19 5
3 source cards / 10 note cards Individual Jan. 25 5/10
25 additional note cards Individual Feb. 1 25
Topic Outline Partner Feb. 5 15
Sentence Outline w/ Introduction Partner Feb. 11 25/10
& Works Cited
Title Page / Rough Draft / Works Cited Partner Feb. 26 5/40/5
Total 3rd Quarter Points – 150
Final Copy Partner March 25 150
It is my intention to have a conference with each student / pair about their rough draft by Thursday, March 18. They will then have a full week of class to revise and complete the final copy. Should this date change or the Final Copy due date, I will post a revised schedule on the SPSL web site. If you have questions, please contact me.
Mr. Matthew Kable
Additional Resources
