Hello 3rd Grade Parents,
I am Ms. Kaley Parsons, your child’s science teacher for studio this year. I wanted to give better clarification on the 3rd grade science project that they are doing for my class. We have studied many big topics this year that cover the Montessori 3rd grade curriculum, as well the standards for science on the 3rd grade Common Core. Your child is to choose one of those topics I have taught them and present a project that will allow them to be the “teacher” on their topic of choice. This demonstration will allow them to show their level of mastery on an area they have enjoyed this year. We will have other students come visit their projects and learn from them. I will also be doing a rubric that will assess their visual presentation and oral presentation skills. This rubric will then be sent to their teacher which can then help their teacher possibly score their science area on the progress report higher. Please don’t see this project like a science fair. I really want to see students think how they can present a topic to others in a fun way. Some students will choose a board or poster for their visual presentation, and that’s fine. Some students may choose a PowerPoint, brochure, board game, a performance, diorama, experiment demonstration, model, etc. to visually explain their project. Those are also great visuals for this kind of project demonstration. There won’t be any ribbons or external prizes. The value of this project is to really explore an area of science and have fun showing others what we learned this year!
The entire project isn’t necessarily going to be completed here at school. I am allowing some time for your child to work in class in case they have questions or need support/guidance from me. Depending on your child, they may need time at home to complete the project. The due date is April 14th, so this will give your child a great start on managing his or her time. On April 14th, all the 3rd graders will set up their projects in the gym and there will be time from 1-2:30 to have other MMA students come see and learn from the 3rd graders. You, as parents, are more than welcome to come see all the projects too!
In regards to March 24th and March 31st, those Fridays will be in class working days. Your child can bring anything they need to either begin or what they are currently working on. Again, each project is going to look very different. I have some students who have already started at home and some students are just in the beginning stages. It is okay to be at either stage right now. By March 31st, my hope is to have students feel comfortable in the direction they are taking with their project so they can make any final touches over Spring Break or in the days leading up to April 14th.
Your child will be taking home a take home sheet with a lot this information I am mentioning now, but it will give you and your child reminders for the project. The rubric will be part of that take home paper too. Please let me know if you have questions- kparsons@mariamontessoriacademy.org.
Kaley Parsons