Comments on: Multigenre Projects or …Ologies

By: Nicole Atkins

Nicole Atkins — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:37:43 +0000

I agree with Meredith about how difficult it is to teach a research paper. I have tried various attempts as well, but have failed. Unless the child has a personal interest in the topic, the traditional research paper is irrelevant. I am also very overwhelmed at the entire project and am having difficulty organinzing my thoughts. As I examined the genre list and possible genres, I was very pleased with my students have covered in just 4 1/2 weeks. Just last week in one class my students did a bumper sticker, comic strip, epitaph,a skit plus others not on the list. One my students really enjoy is creating a license plate for a character. I think many kids enjoy the creativity behind it. I’ve always tried to teach my curriculum thorough “hands on” activities. I just never considered it as various genres before…

By: Meredith Zur

Meredith Zur — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:24:41 +0000

I really like this idea of a MG paper. I have taught the traditional research paper in my 8th grade classes over the years and have tried different strategies to make it more fun and interesting for me and for the kids. This MG thing is a new one for me, and it does seem like an approach that could be useful. I like that it allows for so much more creativity that the traditional research paper does not. I think my adolescent students could really enjoy this type of assignment. I’m a little intimidated too by the whole thing, but I think by doing this project myself, I will be better informed to teach MG writing to my students in the future.

By: jamiesward

jamiesward — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:50:47 +0000

The MG project seems like a lot when you first look at everything and just read. However, if you pace it out and put your students in writer’s workshop and let them work at their pace, it won’t be as bad. (I don’t think) Right now thinking about the make-up of my students, this will be a very interesting project. I hope that I can do it justice. I am excited about the challenge for myself and my students. However, right now I am a little intimidated.

By: Mary Brown

Mary Brown — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:02:11 +0000

This multigenre project is going to be a challenge. We usually think in one-dimensional terms about projects. To have a project that we are investigating and presenting from and in so many different angles is going to force us to make a much more thorough exploration of our topic. Right now, my head is swimming with ideas about what to do. One of the most positive aspects of the multigenre project is that it will allow for different strengths. This will benefit so many students who are not as comfortable writing as they are acting or singing or composing or painting or sculpting. WOW! No child will be left behind in the best sense of the word.