The key to establishing a defense against plagiarism is understanding the reasons that students engage in the process in the first place. Many students enter new grade levels academically unprepared for new challenges. When students encounter gaps between knowledge and the expectations of the classroom, some engage in unethical practices to propel themselves to the degree necessary to reach the "A" level regardless of the possible negative ramifications of such actions. Since educators know that discrepancies exist between actual knowledge and grade-level expectations, they should pursue methods for bridging these gaps. Responsible, creative use of the Internet and involving students in engaging assignments are key for helping students develop positive attitudes about intellectual property. In this article, the author shares her related classroom experiences and suggestions.