Fourth Grade International Fair - FAQs - Part 2

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 – 13^th (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.