The Paper

Well....we got it done. It's probably not what they wanted...I don't know. They said we could do it like a story, sooo.... I do know that I helped her way too much -it became almost like dictation at one point-but I don't care. It is done, she's not going to fail because Third grade doesn't fail you for anything. In the future, I will have to do a better job of getting her to do research papers over the course of time, and not a few nights before it's due.

I did realize that I am so used to the way I do papers that for the first 2 months of having the assignment, I didn't even think about it. Then I get to the week or two before it's due and tell gwen "Ok do your paper!" and she says she doesn't know what to do and i say ok. Then my lovely sister pointed out that maybe Gwen doesn't do papers like we do and needs to do cluster bubbles and brainstorming and stuff.
My way is to sit down at the computer a day or so before the paper is due, and go at it. All research, all brainstorming and idea forming is done right there, in one sitting as I write the paper. And I get A's.
But not all people can do that, and I don't know if Gwen is one of those people. Either way, the teacher should have taught her how to do a research paper. When I was in school, the first research paper I did, the teacher walked us through step by step to teach us the process. Brainstorming, outlines, thought bubbles, note cards...the whole deal. Not here! They send home an assignment and expect us to just DO it.

Aack. Anyway...it's done. that's all that matters. Third graders shouldn't have to do research papers anyway.

Want to read it? Don't judge me....she really did think most of it up herself. I just said the whole "And then what do you think you would do in your day?" kind of stuff.

A Third Grader’s Life in the Early 1900’s in El Cajon
By, Gwendolynne Best

My name is Gwen. I am in third grade and I live in El Cajon, California. My school is El Cajon Grammar School. My school is on Magnolia Avenue. There are 20 kids in my class. My favorite subjects are science and arithmetic.
I wake up at about six o’clock in the morning. I help my mother by setting the table for breakfast. We eat a large breakfast of eggs, toast, and bacon. After breakfast, I help wash and dry the dishes. Then I go to my room to make my bed and get my dress on. Once I am dressed, my mother helps me braid my long beautiful hair, and she puts ruby red bows in my braided hair.
When I am all ready for school, my best friend Iman and I walk to school. After we get settled into the classroom, we study spelling and reading, followed by grammar and arithmetic. When we are finished with our work, we go outside for recess. At recess, Iman and I love playing kick the wickey. When we play kick the wickey, we take turns kicking a foot long stick and see if the other person can catch the stick.
After recess, we study science and social studies. I like science because we get to do experiments.
When school is over, Iman and I walk home and we play outside for a little while. Right after that, we have to do our homework and our chores. Some of my chores are washing the dishes, clearing the table after every meal, and making all of the beds.
When I have finished my chores, I eat dinner with my whole family. That night we ate meat, potatoes, crunchy carrots, and soft squishy bread. After dinner, I get in my night clothes and read for a while. Soon after, I lay down and my mother and father come in and turn out the light.