Laura Pena

3/11/15

Student Interview
(I chose to do more of an informal interview/ conference with a student about
what topic he was choosing for his nonfiction research topic project. I also
helped him make his questions thicker so that they produced more
extensive answers)
Leos research topic started off under the general umbrella of the Holocaust.
He started off with a long list of questions that he wanted answered about
the Holocaust. Once he generated a list of about 10 questions I helped him
narrow it down to about 5 questions that we thicker and that will help him
get more information, not just yes or no answers. We created the thick
questions together Leo realized that most of his questions were centered on
concentration camps, Auschwitz to be exact. So now Leo has decided that
maybe his topic shouldnt just be the Holocaust but it should be Auschwitz.
With that new revelation I suggested to Leo that maybe he choose three of
his thick questions that were centered on Auschwitz and use those to guide
the rest of his research. Leo is using his Ipad and books to gather information
on his topic. I also suggested that he not only rely on the school library but
that the public library may have even more books that can help him. Leos
final 3 thick questions are
1. Compared to other concentration camps, why was Auschwitz
considered the worst camp?

2. What were the living conditions like in Auschwitz, and how did that
contribute to the death rate?
3. Why were the prisoners at Auschwitz treated so badly?