Hello!
Science Festival
Let’s start off talking about science! This home project is to have our students explore what they love in broad field of science. Here are some questions that came to me this week:
Student questions:
Q-Can I do a famous scientist?
A- Yes. Tell about his or her life, but also, just as fairly, what they invented.
Q- Can I make an invention?
A-Yes, but be able to explain how it would be useful and your process in making it.
Q- Can I work with a partner?
A-Yes, but each person must have an equal amount of work contributed to the project.
Q-Are there any prizes?
A- Yes, 3 ribbons will be distributed for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. I may add 2 more ribbons, a teachers choice one and a student choice one, so other classes and teachers can vote.
Q-Can I type my research, facts, etc?
A- Of course! But who should do the typing? 🙂
Q-Ms. Kaley! I need help writing,but we talked about parents not doing the project for us. Help!
A-Parents who’s child needs help writing are welcome to help, however, the child and parent who is helping should act like a team (see question about partners). Let the child make the ultimate decisions about their project.
Parent questions:
Q-How should I help my child?
A-I had a talk with the students. I asked them, “Who’s project is it?” They all answered that it is their project. If your child needs help or even advice, always ask questions to your child before you offer answers.
Ask what they are doing for their project.
Ask them how they see you helping them.
Ask if they are doing anything that will need an adult’s supervision (example: a sharp knife, using the stove etc.)
Ask what kind of supplies will they need? Let them make the list and do the research.
Ask if they are working with a partner.
Q-How are they “graded” and why?
A- I will be using a generalized rubric. I use the term generalized because we will be having projects that are different. Even though projects will be different, the things that will be scored are not. Here are the categories that will be scored:
Score on a 1-4 Scale (partners scored together)
Spelling/Neatness: Words mostly or all spelled right. Are the pictures all glued down and not coming up?
Research: Is the research not thoroughly done or overbearing on the board?
Knowledgable about their subject/Presentation: Can the student talk about their project fluently? If questions were asked, can they answer them? Has done enough practice and research to truly know what they did.
Useful graphics and visuals: Do the pictures make sense? Are they helpful towards the project or distracting?
Student self scoring: How did the students think they did on their projects? (will do in class)
*official rubric to be posted this coming week.
When students get to Upper Elementary and Junior High, they will be required to participate in the annual Science Fair. It is fantastic! I want my students to start getting excited for that. It isn’t as in-depth as the Upper/Junior High one because I want them to explore and find what excites them, not just do the project and be done. Talking with the students this week about resources and topics, they were honestly excited. My hope is to have that excitement continue throughout the project for the students.
Q-Are parents allowed to come?
A- Of course! Project due date and Festival date is March 31st from 1-2:30pm. Come stop by!
In group lesson this week:
Level 1s: Kinds of lines introduction.
Level 2s: Bisecting an angle and finding a missing angle in a 90 and 180 degrees angle.
In cultural- Geography
Level 1s: Landforms
Level 2s: Geysers and what are Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic rocks?
Level 3s: Temperature (how to read a thermometer), atmospheric pressure, anemometer, barometer.
Leve1 3s will start taking SAGE practice tests as part of their work cycle for the next coming weeks. If your child is on the computer for this practice, it will count towards their morning work chart. Please continue to do IXL at home 🙂
Cheers!
Ms. K