After doing research, a student begins planning the final form...
The finished projects take a couple of weeks to put together.
A student might chooses music, colors and textures...
A few minutes at the end of lunch to shape the sea...
Sharing the Titanic project
Projects take different forms.
Making a book cover and a salt map...
Students working on a diorama and a salt map
Detail of Earthquakes project
Arts Integration
Math and art integrated into project
Finished projects on display
Bound books, Lincoln’s hat and a lock on the Mississippi River
Beatles mobile
Sharing about Egyptian mummies
Inside an Eqyptian tomb
Students whose spring projects overlap brainstorm ways to share
Each spring and fall, students choose a personal research project. Topic choice is based on personal interests and does not have be related to the science or social studies topics we study as a class. Each child brainstorms 10 or more questions, which must include a comparing question, a question that can be answered by making a map, and a question that can be answered by solving a math problem. Children then gather research materials, which need to include at least 2 sources they can read on their own. They learn to take notes, then work from their notes to produce information in their own words. Fourth graders use two or more sources for each question they research. Sometimes we uncover some challenging discrepancies!
Working on the project is a highly motivating way to apply reading and research skills, as well as skills acquired while pursuing arts and technology goals. Children enjoy learning from each others’ projects and it’s a great way for all of us to learn more about each other.
After researching seven of their questions, it’s time to decide how to share the information. Click on the slide show to see all the options that students have employed.
France
Monkeys
Diamonds
Nevada
Volcanoes
Titanic
Tornadoes
Blue Jays
Orcas
White House
Grand Canyon
Yankee Stadium
Antarctica
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Pittsburgh Steelers
Bones
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Knights
