group teach multi-genre

I thought that the group did a really good job at explaining the multi-genre research paper. I am currently working on my multi-genre research paper for Dr. Baer, so I was already familiar with the format, although prior to this semester I had never heard of one.

I really enjoy this type of project because of the built in motivation it gives to students. It allows for so much more creativity and choice for the student that the students will choose to do well on it. Allowing them to choose interesting topics also helps.

But just because it is a fun project and students have so much freedom, it does not mean it is an easy. I have a hard time switching from the more formal essay into presenting research in a poem or other genre. I also am doing as much research for my project, or more, than I would for any other paper. Since I like the topic, I want to do as much as I can, and get the correct information.

The only problem with this type of paper is that i believe students could really get away without researching, if they are able to choose any topic. They may choose one that they know a lot about anyway, and are smart enough to make it look like it is full of research when it really isn't anything new that they learned.

I really appreciated how the group had us make our own M.G. paper. It worked well as a group project. It is also hard to understand what a Multi-genre paper is without actually seeing one or doing one yourself. It may be a very foreign concept for students to write creatively about research, so it is important to provide examples for this project. But the group really did a fine job teaching the lesson, giving us examples, having us actively doing the work, and managing their time in the classroom.

Questions for Linda Christensen

I know that it is important to teach about social justice to all students, but my question is would lesson plans be altered at all for a more rural and less diverse school? Sometimes social justice doesn't seem to be as important in that kind of a setting, although it can be where it is most needed.

Are there any techniques to get all students, or the most unwilling students motivated? The book seems a little overly optimistic about kids really getting engaged in the assignments.

What has been the most rewarding part of teaching social justice, have you seen real concrete evidence of lasting behavior change among your past students?