As any English student knows getting just the right inspiration to write an essay or term paper can be hard, especially if it’s on a topic that does not catch the student’s interest.

This is just the kind of situation IB English teacher Sylvia Sarrett had in mind when she thought of the idea to create a “handbook” filled with “how to’s” from her students.

The idea is to help the students develop their writing skills and to bring out their personalities within their writing, while giving them a fun topic to write about that they can relate to.

Each student was asked to find something that they as an individual knew how to do and to write instructions on how to do it.

Peggy Watts’ art class has even been asked to help with the illustrations for the book.

“It’s very exciting!” Sarrett said. “The kids are writing great how-to pieces, everything from the eco-friendly life to getting a girl!”

Senior Lea Doyle agrees.

“The senior handbook is an ingenious way for the students to express their activities and interests that often go unnoticed. The book will feature ‘how-to’s’ from how to fish with your dad to how to avoid wearing pants. It’s the best thing since sliced bread,” she said.

“It’s really cool because you get to have an insight on people’s lives and find out things about them that you didn’t know before. Such as things their talented at and interested in,” said senior Reed Shimberg.

The assignment is open to all IB seniors and teachers. When all of the papers are finished and turned in they will all be brought together and bound in a book that the English students can buy and forever have as a keepsake of their senior year.

The book should definitely be a fun topic when it comes time for the seniors’ 10-year reunion.

Senior Shazia Mitha thinks that “the book should become a tradition among the senior classes because it’s a great way to express oneself.”

Even sophomore David Kops said, “It would make a good tradition for the senior classes.”

Sarret has already talked to some of the other English teachers about making it become a tradition if this one does indeed become a success.

So far the students have looked into getting the book published from one of the local Kinko’s or Staples.

Sarrett is hoping to get funding for the cost of publishing from the IB Aliance but so far she has not yet heard back from them. If she does not get the funding she will have to ask each of her students to pay approximately $3.50 for their copies.