The TEAM 4-5-6 classes are beginning a Christmas Around the World research project. We want to keep you informed each step of the way and we will be sending reminders as we go. Our students are divided into teams and will be doing most research as a team. There is one aspect that they will be doing alone and that is the family traditions and customs part. They will need to interview parents, grandparents, aunts uncles, etc. to find out the traditions of your family and how they got started. They will have cards from us to take notes on and then bring back to school to write up for their project.
We have a time line set up with lots of in class time for students to work on this project. We are introducing it today and teaching students some basic research expectations today and Wednesday. They will have until December 3rd to complete all research, then they will begin their final projects which are a PowerPoint with their partner and a Diorama completed on their own. These final projects will be due by December 16th and a presentation and potluck lunch will be held on December 17th in the library and room 5. Please mark your calendar and come for lunch and presentations on that day. (It is a Wednesday.)
The time line looks like this :
§ November 10 intro/select country
§ November 12 Teach how to write note card and cite a source
§ November 14, 17, 19 notes/research 1:30-3:15
§ November 18 notes/research 2:20-3:15
§ December 1, 3 notes/research 1:30-3:15
§ December 2 notes/research 2:20-3:15
§ December 5, 8, 10 typing papers, creating PowerPoint with Mrs. B-n or drawing Dioramas with Mrs. Sommer 1:30-3:15
§ December 9 typing papers, creating PowerPoint with Mrs. B-N or drawing Dioramas with Mrs. Sommer
§ December 12, 15, 16 finalizing projects
§ December 17 Potluck lunch and project presentations These will be videotaped for students to see later.
We are looking forward to some interesting research and great work with your students over the next six weeks. Thanks in advance for your support at home. Students will not bring their project folders home, but they are welcome to take home note cards and work at home on specific tasks, especially the family traditions piece. The questions for the family portion are:
§ How do you celebrate this holiday?
§ My family prepares and enjoys special foods:
§ Our Christmas decorations include:
§ Unique traditions and activities at our house:
§ What countries do our traditions come from?
We are looking forward to this fun project and working with the students through the research project. If you have questions please fell free to contact your child’s teacher.