The advent of the Internet for educational purposes has made researching easy and ever so much faster than wading through a multiplicity of books at the library. As a professional educator, I allow and encourage my students to use as many sources as they can possibly find.

• In my 6th grade English, students must use at least 3 sources, with only one encyclopedia (hard copy or CD-ROM format).
• In my 7th grade History, students must use at least 4 sources, with only one encyclopedia (hard copy or CD-ROM format).
• In my 8th grade History, students must use at least 5 sources, with only one encyclopedia (hard copy or CD-ROM format).

All of my students, starting in grades 6-8 are taught paraphrasing, summarizing, and writing skills in my classes. They are taught how to format their computer-typed projects according to the MLA standard (Modern Language Association). In writing,

• grade 6 must paraphrase at least 50% of their projects;
• grade 7 must paraphrase at least two-thirds (66%) of their projects; and
• grade 8 must paraphrase at least three-fourths (75%) of their projects.

I share this information because over several years, there has been a staggering increase in intellectual dishonesty, otherwise known as plagiarism. Plagiarism is utilizing the information/ideas of another entity without giving proper credit to the source from whence the information came. I have heard from professional sources and read in too many papers about groups of students being expelled for plagiarism. In this day -- in which a lack of integrity, honesty and morality continues to grow -- I have clearly defined guidelines for my pupils.

• All sources must be documented. If it comes to my attention that a student has failed to include a source, then I will schedule a conference with the student and his or her parents immediately; I also reserve the right to fail that student's project.
• If a student has engaged in plagiarism, I reserve the right to fail his or her project. The administrator, the student and his or her parents will be called and a conference will be scheduled to decide what to do.
• There must be at least one source at the end of every paragraph.
• If a student is not sure about how to document a source, I will show him or her the correct format upon request. If needed, I will make a copy of the format for the student to keep in his or her project binder.
• Time will be scheduled in class for instruction on writing projects. It is strongly recommended that students not miss these days.
• Follow the schedule I provide in seeing that each part is handed in on time.
• The student must put all ideas into his or her own words, and document the source for his or her idea. I ask students not to kid me into thinking that I don't see those big words that are not a normal part of their vocabulary; I know how middle school students talk!
• If a student uses the Internet, I have web-based resources at my disposal to detect plagiarism.
• In submitting his or her final project, the student is asked to include a floppy disk as well, with the format as Word 2000 or lower, text or Works 2000 format.

I spend a great deal of time instructing my students that the wording must be new and original. Some overlapping will occur, but I believe that students can do their best if they will put their minds into the task. A good pointer for students to remember is that scheduling a little amount of time each day goes a long way to handing in a project which will receive an excellent grade. An old saying goes something like this: "A stampede at sunset does not make up for a day misspent."

I deal with plagiarism seriously because it is the theft of another's works/ideas, and claiming that is the work of the person who has submitted it. That is a sin, because it is lying and thievery. When I prepare this discussion for my students, they know that I will deal firmly and immediately with communication to my administrator, as well as their parents. If you will pardon the expression, "I don't play, and I don't have to!"

I encourage all teachers who accept major project manuscripts to adopt their own policies regarding intellectual dishonesty/plagiarism and solid steps with how they will teach their students about this, as well as what they will do should this grievous affront to academia occurs in their class.

If you have other ideas to share or questions to ask, feel free to contact me through my Feedback Form.