A study of columnists could be combined with practice in building a Web site. This project will transform the teacher and students into researchers, publishers and computer aficionados.

Each student selects a different columnist.

Who says students shouldn't enjoy learning?

Allow the sports fan to research a sports columnist, the movie fanatic to research a movie reviewer and the reader to research a book reviewer.

Set the content guidelines

Students should know before the project begins what they will be expected to complete and to include on the site.

1. Must select a living columnist

If this guideline is selected by the teacher, students can be asked to correspond with the columnist on the World Wide Web. Many newspapers now publish the e-mail addresses of their writers.

If teachers wish to give students an historic perspective, students can select from deceased columnists. They will have to look for interviews with the columnists and articles and reviews of the columnist's work to complete guideline #4.

2. Read works written by the columnist

Encourage students to read a minimum of 20 columns written by the columnist. They should read before contacting the columnist.

3. Link to one or more examples of columns by your columnist

4. What does the columnist have to say about writing columns

This could result from one of the questions which the student asks during correspondence with the columnist. This may also be found in interviews with the columnist.

5. Write your own column

After students have read examples of columns of a certain type and learned about column writing, have them practice being a columnist.

Of course, we hope our section on "How to Write a Column" and lesson plans will help you to make this a better experience in writing.

Establish committees

Create a publishing company. Each committee will report back to the whole firm to vote on final Web project. Here are some committee suggestions to get you started.

1. Logo and name of Web site
2. Design of Web site
3. Typography
4. Management and production
5. Ethics and Copyright

Conduct research on the Internet

Students can begin at "Only a Matter of Opinion." Use the Research Center to locate columns written by their columnists.

Enjoy watching students lead their classmates, collaborate and develop skills in critical thinking, reading and writing. Students may even awaken a career possibility.