Fourth Grade
International Fair - FAQs - Part 2
What are the basic requirements for each project?
Each project must include written, visual, and hands-on
components. These components will vary greatly from project to project.
In addition, students will dress in a way that is appropriate to their topic on
the day of the fair.
What are some examples of possible topics?
Example 1:
PROBLEM: Our building is not very energy efficient.
CHALLENGE: explore ways that buildings can reduce their water and
carbon footprints. Generate a design proposal.
CRITICAL QUESTION: How can our new school building be more
environmentally friendly?
This student is an architect working to change the way that modern
buildings are designed and constructed. They carry out research to investigate
how water and carbon footprints of buildings are measured, and they explore innovative
ways to lower these. The students produces drawings and models to demonstrate.
Example 2:
Problem: Coral reefs are in danger
Challenge: The reefs are hidden and many people don't know what is
happening to them
Critical question(s): What is happening to the coral? How can I
tell people about this? What can we do about it?
This student is a/meets a marine biologist living on the
Australian coast. He studies the coral reefs and sees that global warming and
pollution is rapidly affecting the coral, which in turn is affecting sea life
there. He prepares a documentary to highlight the problem, which he shows to
people at the fair as they pass by his booth. (Science/Social Studies)
Example 3:
Problem/central idea: The Nile River is important in many ways
Challenge: Tell people why it is important and share the different
perspectives
Critical question: How has the use of the river changed over time?
What is the impact of the river use for different groups?
Student 3: This girl is a historian studying how the ancient
pyramids were constructed along the Nile River. She explains how important the
Nile River was in transporting and making the stones that went into the
construction of the pyramids. She makes a display showing how the process
works. (Historical)
Is there anything that parents need to do for the fair?
You can help your children think about what they're going to wear
and get these ready for April 14th. Their outfits do not need to be elaborate.
The children have the option to dress differently, depending on the topic. We
can give the children ideas here at school on how they can think about
clothing; please send us your questions.
As much as possible, we want students to do their displays, games,
hands-on projects, and writing in school, so that we can help them develop
their skills and manage their time. If a child is getting behind on the
project, we will let you know so that they can do some work at home.
Occasionally, we have projects that may require parent help and you will be
contacted by the teacher.
A Tentative Timeline for the Coming Weeks:
We
have time until spring break which begins on Saturday, March 26th. Fourth
graders will be quite busy until then planning the International Fair. Over
the next few weeks we'll begin to pull our learning about water together, and
consider what our fair topics might be. We'll talk about the purpose of the
fair - to educate and inform others - and the possibilities that we can
explore.This year we'd like the students to share a story of water so that our
fair projects have a common and important theme - the importance and
interconnectedness of water.
Students don't have to feel constrained by this idea though.
Many topics have strong connections to a water story. We will support children
in their explorations and help them begin formulating their ideas. They
might talk to you about this process at home too, but the work will be done at
school. Some students excited about the topics they are considering. The goal is to
complete a written report, a project display, and create a hands-on activity.
Here is an approximate plan for the next few weeks:
February 15-19
Topic exploration
February 22-26
Identify topics of interest to research
Topics to be finalized by Tuesday
Generate questions/wonderings
February 29-March 4
Gather sources of Information
Decide/Describe a hands on project
March 7-11
Synthesis Information
Choose Topic Presentation Method
Synthesis Information – Rough Draft
Choose Topic Presentation Method
March 21-24
Final Draft
3/25 Good Friday
March 29-April 4
SPRING BREAK
April 5-8
Performance Practice
Polish Presentations
April 11-14
Set up – 13th (after school)
Fair on Thursday
In
April, Habiba, the dancer and storyteller from Ghana, will return to help the
children create a short performance piece to launch the fair. Habiba will
also share cultural information and stories during the International Fair.
Margaret
Synan-Russell has also been collaborating with us from the beginning of the
year to tie her art projects into our themes for the year. Chaplain
Jennie and Margaret will introduce and create storytelling dolls with fourth
graders for the fair.
Jane
Kenney-Norberg will assist to connect science activities.
Peter
Buonincontro will also be working with the children on the performance piece.
International Fair Parent Help
Although
students are capable of doing a lot, we will need help in the following
categories:
• Set-up in the gym after
school on April 13 (We are waiting to hear if the
gym
is available after school).
• Help with the
performances on April 14 (keeping kids organized, helping
with
costumes, getting them down to the Common Hall).
• All day help at the fair
on April 14th running booths, running errands,
greeting
classes, etc. Parents can work in shifts, maybe morning and
afternoon.
• Clean up after the fair.
Please
get in touch with the room parents if you’d like to help.
