I tell my students that their ideas should be arranged on paper as to how they want their paper to appear when it is finished. Students spend time in the media center researching their topics, discovering related images, and taking notes, Ask student to write personal goals for their paper. Discuss the scoring rubric with students so that they are aware of how they will be assessed. Have students write a first draft of their historical summaries. Students have peer response groups on their first drafts within their writing circles.
Students write second drafts of historical summaries.
Teacher conferences are held with each student. Challenge students to ask specific questions about their pieces and teachers are able to keep students on the right track to a final draft. Students are to write third and final draft of historical summaries. Hold a class meeting and discuss the presentation of the historical summaries. Invite students to present one of the three topics they researched to the class in any matter that may be relevant.