Project Partners

Ms. Francez liked to believe that she was the best humanities teacher in the school- at least,her students seemed to believe so. Her classroom was decorated with numerous posters and artworks from past classes. Her lesson plans normally included games and unconventional learning activities

"So, have we reached any important conclusions on the Great Depression?"

"Maybe.... That it's hard to study?" Richie Tozier snarked from his seat in the back of the classroom, earning giggles from the surrounding students.

Ms. Francez herself allowed a grin, shaking her head. "Thank you, Richie, but that wasn't exactly what I was going for."

"That it was a disastrous event for the people involved, but might have improved the country in the long run?" Stanley Uris, one of her favorite students in the class suggested, shooting a look to Richie.

"Excellent answer, Stanley," Ms. Francez agreed. "An interesting take. I think I would agree, but if anyone else has any other opinions? Remember- no opinion is wrong."

"Except for any of Richie's," Beverly Marsh mumbled, earning a small smack on the arm from Richie, who was sitting next to her.

Ms. Francez paused for a moment, waiting for any other answers. She didn't like to wait for too long (the silences that came from waiting for students to reply were enjoyable for no one), so when it became clear no one was about to talk, she moved on. "Well, since we're wrapping up the unit, it brings us to the final project."

The students shifted in their seats. Some with excitement, such as Betty Ripsom and Stan Uris, but others with uncomfort like John Crane and Bev Marsh. And others, like-

"Richie?" Ms. Francez said calmly, looking at the boy who was not listening but instead drawing something very intently in the back of his notebook. His head shot up in surprise. "Are you listening?"

"Of course," he said with a toothy grin, closing his notebook quickly. "Continue, please, Ms. Francez."

"Why, thank you for permission," she replied, the class holding back giggles. "As I was saying, your final project. I'd like you to partner with someone else to create a poster of some aspect of the Great Depression. It'll be worth half of this semester's grade, so I suggest you put some time into it."

Stanley and Beverly immediately made eye contact across the room, leaving Richie Tozier, the clear third person in the friendship scrambling for straws. Ms. Francez bit her lip sympathetically, but she'd already decided on the partner aspect. The students were to have free will this year, she'd decided; so choosing their own partners was a liberty she'd given them.

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Ms. Francez had gotten to school late, something she hated. She'd run into the classroom at the same time as her first class, setting her bag down on the desk and sighing. "Apologies. My car wouldn't start this morning."

Her class mumbled soft reassurances, and she smiled. Her first class was so much more peaceful than her last class- though that was due to specific people in each.

"So- was everyone able to look over the topics I gave out in class yesterday?"

The students nodded, and one hand raised.

"D-do you- are th-the topic-cs the only ones ava-available?" Bill Denbrough asked carefully.

"Good question!" Ms. Francez said, sitting on her desk. "No- if you have an idea for another topic, talk to me! I'd love to hear any other ideas you have."

Another hand raised. "How many partners can we have?" Mike Hanlon asked.

"Only one," Ms. Francez said with a sad smile to the quiet groans. "I know, I know, but it'll be better for the grading! Plus, now you can individually put more work into your posters, which I know most of you have been looking forward to."