First they read the essays of student winners. Then they read a transcript of an oral history interview which is posted on the Internet. Furthermore, there is a link on how to do an interview, which is also demonstrated in class, and the students practice with each other. Students then read each other's essays and post a comment or question to help the person whose essay they read to do revision or improve their essay. These are methods of student peer response that are taught in the NYC Writing Project directed by Lehman College.
Students then post their final drafts in the document section of our nicenet.org class.
Lastly, they evaluate a link to Georgia 8th graders who did a similar project. Students read these articles after they have finished their own final drafts to motivate them to post their own essays on our school web site with photographs of their relatives. The ability level can be wide. Students connect better with their family. They learn the interview or questioning skills that help them acquire information.