Mrs. Garcia's Fourth Grade Blog

Carlos Gilbert Science Fair

Science Fair Frequently Asked Questions:

When? February 22^nd, 2012, from 4:00-6:00

What kind of project can I do?  Students in grades K-6 (optional for K-3, but required for 4-6 grades) may display a model, demonstration, collection, engineering, or a personal experiment.

How should I display my project?  A three-part, free-standing display board of sturdy cardboard, Styrofoam, or wood is required.  Please do not exceed the following dimensions: 48 inches wide and 30 inches deep.

Who can help me on my project?  Your teacher will help you, but most of the project should be completed at home.  It’s great if your parents are involved, but remember this is your project!  Your parents can help you, but you must do the work yourself.

What is the difference between an Experiment or Engineering Project) and all of the other projects?  Experiments and engineering projects follow the inquiry model of the scientific method, which means that you must be testing a question or engineering plan, not just showing information that is already known.  Even though it is fun to watch the explosion from putting baking soda into vinegar, we know what to expect.  For an experiment, you need to be testing for something new.  For example, if your topic is electricity, you might conduct an experiment to find out which material conducts electricity best.

When should I bring my project to school?  It’s best to ask your teacher because you may present to your class before the fair.  This is a good opportunity to practice what you are going to say to the judges. Your project must be here the morning of the Science Fair.

***Only engineering projects and personal experiments will be judged to possibly qualify for the SFPS Science Fair and Math Expo!

Carlos Gilbert Science Fair: February 22, 2012

Assignment Sheet:  Experiment, Engineering Project, Research Project, or Demonstration or Model with Research

Students must choose one of these projects to complete for the Carlos Gilbert Science Fair. Please note: Only experiments and engineering projects are qualified to be judged by district judges.

Below are requirements and dates to help you complete your project.

January 24:  Planning Sheet with topic and resources. This must be signed by your parent. All projects!

January 27:  Testable question, Hypothesis and Background Information for experiments and engineering projects. Research projects, demonstrations and models with research must have a plan for the research.

January 31:  Materials and Procedure for experiments and engineering projects. Research projects, demonstrations and models must also have all materials for completing the project.

February 7:  Data, Conclusion and Abstract (rough drafts) for experiments and engineering projects. Research projects, demonstrations and models must have a rough draft of the research report.

February  14:  Final Project Boards completed. All projects must be completed and students must be ready to present to the class.

Science Fair Project Planning Sheet

Due: January 24

Name _________________________

Choose a general area of science that interests you. What do you think might be a good topic for a science project?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Resources:  Please list the title and author or source of at least three sources (book, article or internet NO WIKIPEDIA).

Source _______________________________________________

Source _______________________________________________

Source________________________________________________

What question do you want your project to answer, demonstrate or explore? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Parents:  Please sign this form acknowledging that you are aware of your child’s responsibilities in this project. Thank you for your support!

_______________________________________________ Signature

Science Fair: Students were sent home with a science fair packet before winter break.  Students must know and tell me their Science Fair topic by Friday, January 20^th.  The school science fair will be on Wednesday, February 22^nd.  This is a mandatory project, and will need to be completed to pass Science. 

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Garcia

Thank you to all the parents that showed up for Parent Teacher Conferences.  It was great meeting with all of you! 

Science Fair: Students were sent home with a science fair packet before winter break.  Students must know and tell me their Science Fair topic by Friday, January 20^th.  The school science fair will be on Wednesday, February 22^nd.  This is a mandatory project, and will need to be completed to pass Science.  Further information on the project will follow.

Report Cards were sent home last Thursday, January 12^th.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Garcia

Dear Parents,

This week is a very busy week!  On Wednesday night the Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Girdner will be hosting Science Fair Night.  Please join them to learn some helpful hints for the Science Fair (February 22^nd).  On Wednesday we will also be having the Geography Bee at 9:45 in the gym. 

Parent Teacher Conferences-last week parent teacher conference notices were attached to Friday Slips.  Please return them as soon as possible.  I will call on Tuesday morning to confirm conference times. 

Report cards will go out on Thursday!

No School on Monday, January 16, 2012!

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Garcia

Welcome back everyone!!!  I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break!  This week is a busy week, even though it is a short week, we have NDI and a field trip on Friday to the Lensic Theatre.  Permission slips were sent out before break and a few were sent out this morning.  Please sign and return them by Friday morning or your child will remain at school during the field trip. 

Science Fair: Students were sent home with a science fair packet before winter break.  On Wednesday, January 11^th, the Science Fair coordinators will be hosting a Science Project and free Frito Pie Dinner to help parents with any questions about the science fair.  The school science fair will be on Wednesday, February 22^nd.  This is a mandatory project, and will need to be completed to pass Science.  Further information on the project will follow.

Report Cards will be sent home next Thursday, January 12^th.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Garcia

Dear Parents,

Happy Halloween!  I hope everyone has a fun and safe time trick or treating!

Last week, students chose their books for the autobiography, and they were given the outline for the report.  The rough draft is due on December 9^th.  The final draft and drawing is due on December 16^th.  You child should be reading their books nightly in order to finish the report by the 9^th. 

We also started a new karate math packet on Friday.  Each week we will begin with two new numbers to multiply.  This week we are starting with 2’s and 3’s and continue with 4’s and 5’s next week.  Please time your child nightly to ensure that they pass the final test on Friday in order to move on to the next numbers.  I also recommended that students get flashcards to practice at home.  Students will need to know their times tables sufficiently enough to move on to division and fractions, which are coming up very soon. 

Lastly, thank you to all parents who helped with the Halloween Carnival, especially the Esquibel’s for helping with our class basket.  

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Garcia

Dear Parents,

Brochure projects look great!!!  Good job students! 

This is a regular school week, with literacy packets, spelling test, karate math, and reading log due on Friday!  Friday slips were sent out today, as I was out on Friday, please sign and return them by tomorrow (Tuesday).  I am still missing a few permission slips for the field trip on the 31^st, please send those in as soon as possible so your child can attend.  They will need a sack lunch for this day.  There is no school on Monday, October 24^th, and Tuesday, October 25^th, for parent teacher conferences.  Notes for parent teacher conferences were sent out last week, please let me know if you have not received one from your child.  I will send out reminder notices on Thursday. 

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Garcia

Dear Parents,

This week we will continue to work on our Social Studies brochure project.  The final project is not due until Monday, October 17^th!  Late Projects will not be accepted!

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Garcia

I apologize for the late post!

This week we have been reviewing grammar and literacy components that we have been studying for the past five weeks.  Students have been given daily reading and grammar review worksheets to review.  They were also given a review spelling and vocabulary list on Monday.  Test on Friday!  Student should also be reading for 30 minutes nightly and filling out their reading logs!

In math they will be assigned workbook pages 23, 24, 25, and 27.  Karate Math should also be done every night!  Karate Test on Friday!

Students were assigned their first Social Studies project this week.  We are working in the computer lab to find information, but all information must be completed by Monday!  We will then work on the brochure in class.  The project is due on October 17th!  No late projects will be accepted!

Announcements:

Picture day is on Friday!

**No School on Monday!

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Mrs. Garcia

Dear Parents,

This week in literacy we are studying story sequencing (beginning, middle, and end).  As a mini-project, I would like your child to tell the sequence of steps for something that they know how to do or to make.  They must write the steps, in paragraph form, in sequential order and present their mini-project to the class on Friday.  Presentation includes any items that are necessary to explain and show the mini-project.  Students will need to advise me of their mini-projects by tomorrow, in order to be approved before presenting.  (Example of a mini-project may be demonstrating how they brush their teeth.)

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you, Mrs. Garcia