How to Make a Paper Airplane

Though I'm done with teaching, I still have a whole backlog of anecdotes from my experiences to share. I hope you won't get sick of them.

My first essay assignment of the past school year was to write what we in the biz call a "process" or "how-to essay," a standard of the California public education system. Essentially, students compose the steps of how to do something as though they could be included in an instruction manual, with the topic preferably high-interest. Since it can be fairly dry, I set up the essay in such a way that it covers several skills simultaneously including research, paraphrasing, transitions, a formal tone, and clear, precise diction. Generally, the students who try, even the poorer writers, feel successful with this essay since it is a manageable task.

One honors student, however, failed on all accounts. The paper was ridiculously informal, thoroughly confusing, and perhaps the worst set of instructions I've ever seen. Gasp at the grammar, wince at the transitions, and remember: honors student.

Hey dudes and dudiets do u guys want to learn how to fly a plane? What that a yes, well o well I'm not going to teach you how to fly one but to make one... out of paper!!! For your material get your paper n stapler or shared one with your fellow classmates.

First let things started fold the plane in half like you normally would for a regular plane. Since that is done fold the two corner to the middle fold of your paper. After this procedure is done we move to the difficult part of the folds. After that is done we fold the triangular shape down until both the corners of the plane are sharp.

Ok now we flip over the paper and continue towards the even harder part of this jet. Once hte triangle is made we flip it and fold the two corners in again. Since you are done with that as well we fold the wings down and there you go a jet-fighter... hahaha im just playing there more. From there you flip the plane upside down then fold it again. Do the same thing to the other side of the paper.

Frequently change your hand n risk position so that you don't get a cramp of some sort. Now we fold the point towards the wind of the paper, yes the tip of the plane... well anyway now you staple the point/tip of the plane. Now strap your finger n the plane with a rubber band and there you have it a jet-fighter.

That my friend looks like a mean jet-fighter. Well that one of the easiest origami that I found in a book as well as a website. Hope we can do it again if your not confuse in anyway. Well yeah bye for now peoples.

When I was through with it, the student's paper contained more of my ink than the student's own.