Hi Everyone,
I am so excited to get started in our first big project of the year! The students will go to the library on Monday where a crime has been committed! Somebody has totally wrecked the library, but luckily, they have left behind some clues! The students will do an investigation to solve the mystery in teams of 4. I will Facebook Live it so that you all can see it in action. Below is the rubric they will get when they checkout their Mystery book. I will take a look at each book to make sure it is challenging, but not too hard. They will bring home the book on Monday night to show you guys. Take a look and if you do not approve of the book, they can return it on Tuesday and get a new book. The due date for this project is October 18, 2016 when they walk in the classroom. If they are trying to work on it on that day, it will be considered late. I would like to encourage the children to bring their supplies for the project starting on October 13th to work on it during my class. That way they can ask questions if they need to. I will let them work on it during class the 13th, 14th, and 17th. Speaking of supplies, I have everything they need in the classroom, but if they would rather do their project on poster board and not manilla paper, you will need to send that to school with them.
I know that you all know this, but I do need to insist that you do not do any of this project for your child. This project should look like a 5th grader did it. I know that everyone wants their child to have the best looking project, but they gain so much more when they do the projects themselves. These projects are a lot about teaching children to follow rubrics, work on a timeline, taking their time, and putting their best into their work. It is a process that is hard for some children, but pushing them to put out great work will only help them in the future. Please let me know if you have any questions!
