District News
Senior thesis project helps prepare students for college
March, 2011
About 35 Canajoharie High School seniors are learning how to write a paper like a college student.
Their current senior thesis project in English calls for them to take what they’ve learned during four years and write a 10-page paper on a selected topic.
Their topics range from the history of snowboarding to an in-depth look at bipolar disorder. Students must do extensive research (from books, databases and the Internet) and present their paper in June using PowerPoint – a program that creates overhead slides. Students have 12 weeks to complete the project.
Developed by English teacher Kathy Fatta and teacher/librarian Tammy Jones, the project also requires students to: conduct in depth research, draft a works cited page and proper in-text citations, outline their thesis, include a table of contents, write a rough and second draft, and use at least 50 note cards.
“They are learning how to research and disseminate accurate information,” said Mrs. Fatta.
“The kids all feel successful in regard to the thesis. They’ve chosen their topic, researched it, and they feel proud about the whole process. It’s a culmination of everything they’ve learned throughout the four years of English and our writing and information literacy programs.”
The Canajoharie English department has been recognized for its writing skills in the past. In 2009, Mrs. Jones, Beth Sunderland, Mrs. Fatta, Randi Korona, and Richele Simmons-Mollica were presenters at the National Council of Teachers of English Annual Convention. There, they shared their experiences teaching students expository writing — writing to prove or argue a point.
Mrs. Fatta says the project also teaches students about proper documentation and how to seek out a variety of reputable sources.
“It really helps the students prepare for college on their own, and helps their ability to gather information and filter a variety of sources and synthesize their own ideas,” Mrs. Fatta added.
Senior Pierce Hohenstein, who is writing his paper on bipolar disorder, likes the idea of writing an in-depth paper on bipolar disorder. He thinks it will be beneficial for people to learn about what goes on instead of possibility generalizing that people with it are different.
“This will teach me how to write a stronger paper and learn how to communicate better,” he said. “I’ve been looking forward to this all year.”
Kelly Gallagher said she’s written a 10-page paper before, but this project involves a thesis, or answering one important question. She’s also impressed by the amount of research material available.
“There’s a lot more resources our school has as far as research than I thought it did,” she said.
“We have not only access to our own books, but we’re in a system where we can request books from college libraries. We also have access to periodicals online that are through school programming.
“This will be a challenge, but it’s going to make everything in college a lot easier.”