Divide the class into four or five small groups and distribute copies of "The Four Seasons." Mention to them that a middle school student wrote this after being given an assignment to describe the seasons. Without commenting on the piece, ask the groups to evaluate the essay for paragraph structure, unity, coherence, and supporting details. Have students assign the paper a grade.

The Four Seasons           There are four seasons in a year, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, I will begin with Spring. Now we see the ice beginning to thaw, and the trees to bud.

          Now the Winter wears away, and ground begins to look green with the new born grass. The birds which have lately been to more southern countries return again to cheer us with their morning song.

          Next comes Summer. Now we see a beautiful sight. The trees and flowers are in bloom.

          Now is the pleasantest part of the year. Now the fruit begins to form on the trees, and all things look beutiful. In Autumn we see the trees loaded with fruit. Now the farmers begin to lay in their Winter's store, and the markets abound with fruit. The trees are partly stripped of their leavs. The birds whith visited us in Spring are now retireing to warmer countries, as they know that Winter is coming.

          Next comes Winter. Now we see the ground covered with snow, and the trees are bare. The cold is so intense that the rivers and brooks are frozen. There is nothing to be seen. We have no birds to cheer us with their morning song. We hear only the sound of the sleigh bells.

          After the class has discussed the merits of this work in small groups and assigned it a grade, conduct a large class discussion with a spokesperson from each small group sharing insights. After everyone has had an opportunity to comment, average the grades given by all the groups. (Chances are that student evaluations will not be high.) Finally, reveal that the piece they graded was written by ten-year-old Henry David Thoreau. If the grade they assigned was low, you might also add that the piece illustrates that even great writers have humble beginnings.