Welcome to Class 211 Science Fair! 

In this unit of study, you will dive deep into a topic, run experiments, and teach us about your findings. Below, you will find the Scientific Method that will help you with the process of your experiment.

What are the steps in a science fair project?

1. Pick a topic

2. Research

3. Hypothesize

4. Experiment

5. Construct an exhibit for results

6. Write a report

7. Practice presenting

Some science fair projects are experiments to test a hypothesis. Other science fair projects attempt to answer a question or demonstrate how nature works or even invent a technology to measure something.

Before you start, find out which of these are acceptable kinds of science fair projects at your school. You can learn something and have fun using any of these approaches.

1. First, pick a topic. Pick something you are interested in, something you'd like to think about and know more about.

2. Then do some background research on the topic.

3. Decide whether you can state a hypothesis related to the topic (that is, a cause and effect statement that you can test), and follow the strict method listed above, or whether you will just observe something, take and record measurements, and report.

4. Design and carry out your research, keeping careful records of everything you do or see and your results or observations.

5. Construct an exhibit or display to show and explain to others what you hoped to test (if you had a hypothesis) or what question you wanted to answer, what you did, what your data showed, and your conclusions.

6. Write a short report that also states the same things as the exhibit or display, and also gives the sources of your initial background research.

7. Practice describing your project and results, so you will be ready for visitors to your exhibit at the science fair.

You will probably also want to know:

What is science?

What is the "scientific method"?

I need ideas for a science fair project!

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

Albert Einstei

General Dates and sequence:

April 14 - Topic of Study chosen

April 14-20: Items needed to conduct the experiment are listed and/or collected. Check in with Ms. Natalie once you’re ready to start the experiment.

April 21- May 5: Schedule home experimentation, data collection etc. at home, with a partner. This may require more than 1 session together! Be sure to get each other’s phone numbers and talk to each other’s parent(s) to be clear about needs and schedules. You are also welcome to enter something on your own.

PARENTS: Unfortunately we cannot accommodate the experiments and material needs for 24 children in the classroom so this is why we ask for your support in supplying and supporting the children at your homes for the actual experiment piece. We are here to guide them in the scientific process, inquiry, decision making and making of poster boards if they need help. It is amazing what they can do on their own with support!!

May 1: Assemble boards at school. We will provide a trifold board in class to work on, get print outs, and work on design/assembly if needed. You may use your chromebook to print images and titles, charts etc. you have created for your board. Some people prefer Google Draw over Google slides to do this.

May 5: Experiment completed, pictures acquired, charts and data are complete. Showing all data. One day available for edits/finessing, etc.

May 14: Tri Fold Board or poster is complete and stored inside the classroom.

May 16: Science Fair. This is the day/morning to bring in delicate parts from home or physical pieces that will appear in front of your board. Students tour Upper Elementary 1:30PM - 2:45PM, Parents tour  (please park in the North lot to help with carline congestion)

Here is the general expectation of the board for the final project:

Here is how another resource explains it: Scientific Method

Step 1: Determine the problem or question.

• In this step you decide what it is that you will study.

• This step identifies exactly what you want to learn and allows you to focus only on that material.

• Still no ideas? Try some of the resources listed below.

Step 2: Develop your hypothesis

• The hypothesis is an educated guess. It starts with researching the problem and finding out what others have learned. Then, using this information, make an educated guess or prediction about the question at hand.

Step 3: Design an experiment to test your hypothesis

• Design an experiment whose results will either support or disprove your hypothesis.

• There should be at least two groups in your experiment. The first group has the experimental variable or the factor that is being tested. The second group is the control group which is identical to the experimental group in every way except that it lacks the variable.

• Your Research Plan is a summary of Steps 1, 2, and 3—a description of background information leading up to your research question, a statement of your hypothesis, and an experimental plan to test your hypothesis.

Step 4: Conduct your experiment and collect the data

• Run your experiment. In this step, you will be measuring the dependent variable, the thing that is being observed or measured. Any pieces of information that you collect regarding the dependent variable are called data.

• Record all of your data in your data/lab notebook.

Step 5: Draw Conclusions from your data

• Determine if your hypothesis is supported or disproved on the basis of your experimental results or data.

• If your hypothesis is supported, repeat your experiment to support the quality of your data.

Collect data and pictures throughout the experiment to include on your tri-fold board or poster. 

Spring Semester Volunteer Opportunities:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050844A9AD22A3F49-55861146-twilight

Dear Families,

We often get parents asking how they might be able to additionally support their child within the social and academic framework of MPA. On the social side, the answer is much easier. We encourage practical life activities such as hobbies and chores, cooking/baking and taking care of plants and animals, etc. However, because the Montessori materials need to be used with a trained practitioner (in addition to the fact that we usually don’t assign homework) as an alternative, we have designed a process we think will be extremely beneficial and fun for the students.

Below we have a list of teacher approved apps and interactive websites that can serve as a support to what your student has already learned in class. We have provided a spectrum of domains. This is also because we want our students to come in and share with us something they want to learn more of, or new skills recently acquired from the at home digital approach. Vice- Versa, we are excited about the potential dialogue you will soon have at home about your students interest and skill level - which we’re hoping will grow as a result of the at-home digital options. Lastly, this is a terrific outlet for parents to support us. Most parents are very savvy with computer skills and their support and encouragement with these learning games and apps - either participating together or self directed learning - will surely have a positive outcome. Our students will benefit from the familiarity of computer use, while we can focus more on the concrete materials and repetition of skills in the classroom. Below are the sites. We will go over them in the classroom as well so we can address any initial questions. Thank you so much for your support!

www.seterra.com - (Pin maps - Geography and Anatomy) online practice of pin maps. no password needed. Also, app available for tablets/pads.

www.purposegames.com/tag/botany (Botany nomenclature)

 online identification of botanical parts - no password needed.

https://writeandimprove.com/workbooks#/wi-workbooks  - this is the start page for ‘Write and Improve by Cambridge’ (beginner is the most appropriate place to start). There is a task timer available. (Language and Writing) no login required. 

https://www.savethemusic.org/resources/favorite-free-websites/ - (Music) Free online music resource to make music through the Save the Music foundation.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.easybrain.cross.logic.puzzle&pcampaignid=web_share&pli=1 (Logic Puzzles Brain Riddles) must download app and create login/password.

https://www.typingclub.com (Typing practice) Children can use their login credentials from school to practice their typing skills at home.

https://www.timeforkids.com (Current Event Articles) Publication read at school but additional interactive provided for Elementary school children.

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com (Social studies and Geography) Children can explore these topics at home.

https://kidsthinkdesign.org (Creativity and Design) Students can explore different types of careers in design.

https://supersquad.fitmoney.org  (Money and Financial) Free program that aims to empower children to learn critical life skills for a financially fit future.

www.google.com Student account for Google docs and Google slides for practice with benchmark conventions of writing, copy/paste, font, page set-up, sizing, justification and presentation design, etc.

Montessori Peaks Academy Charter

Upper Elementary Room 211 Twilight Peak

Natalie Hummell

Email: natalie.hummell@jeffco.k12.co.us

Google voice or text:  720-446-6025 Goes to my cell phone. 

School phone: 303-972-2627 ext. 211

Back to School Night parent packet

CAR LINE:

Drop off: Parents are asked to have their student at school by 8:00 AM (doors open at 7:50 AM). Students need to stop in the office to pick up a late pass if they arrive by 8:10 AM. Our class begins journaling first thing in the morning to get our day started. On Wednesday and Friday mornings our class goes to specials at 8:10 AM. Attending those first ten minutes is crucial!

Pick up: Dismissal is at 3:00 PM. You will help us greatly if you would please display your child’s name and teacher in the window of the car at every pick up. It speeds things up immensely. Please refrain from using your cell phone during the carpool. Take a look at the map for the traffic flow.

Expectations

Independent students: In order to respect the work of each child I hope that you will allow your child to make mistakes, forget their homework or lunch etc. and learn to survive their mistakes. We will never let your child starve, and forgetting homework or being late is not an insurmountable mishap. Learning from their mistakes helps them to become the strong, independent, self-directed individuals we love to see in Montessori environments.

Student Planners: We are trying something new this year - Planner Journals! The goal is to have children manage their time and reflect on their work and habits. If your child is significantly behind in their work, a reflection paper will be sent home, and you will be asked to sign it. The purpose of this paper is for your child to reflect on the work they have accomplished and how to build successful behaviors.

Classwork: Sometimes, finished work will come home during the week. However, much of their work will be placed in a portfolio or binder. You will see this work during conferences in October and March. 

Reading: I strongly suggest you read with your child at least once or twice a week and have conversations about what they are reading. Ask them questions and have them tell you their thoughts about their reading. Reading comprehension should continue to grow all through these years. Your child should also be reading on their own each night, they will have Book Club books as well as additional reading books. It is important that they keep up with Book Club readings and jobs, these will be due each week on Thursdays.

Technology: I consider the use of computers a key tool in Upper Elementary. All higher levels of learning are using them almost exclusively. Your child needs access to a computer and the Internet. We use computers for many writing assignments and for research projects. Encouraging your child to practice keyboarding skills would be a boost for your child. I will post assignments a few times a month in our Google Classroom so they are competent in the application as well as Google Docs and Google slides. 

Projects: Two to three times during the year students will be expected to participate in research projects. These assignments are always accompanied with a very detailed list of tasks with due dates. The time frame of the study is usually about a month. We then evaluate their work and may hold an open house to invite you to come and appreciate their great efforts. Students love to show off their knowledge and the more crowded our room gets, the happier the students seem to be. In the spirit of Montessori, I hope that you will allow students to create their own work. Of course, your support and guidance is important, but the sense of accomplishment is huge when the work is all their own.

Communicate: I will try not to inundate you with notes but we ask that you read them carefully, whether they are emails or written notices. I try to have all current classroom announcements posted to my classroom website. My hours are 7:30AM to 3:30PM. If ever we need to connect via a short phone call, the best time for me to schedule is when the class is at recess 12:45 PM - 1:15 PM.

Homework: I do not assign regular homework in my classroom because I believe that students benefit from having free time, doing extracurriculars and enjoying time with their family. However, if a student does not complete their work at school, they may be asked to take it home to finish. Also, as I mentioned before, when we have a project due, there are times when students may need to work on their projects at home. I will always allow class time for students to work on these projects, but some students take longer or are not always focused, so it may spill over to homework. The same goes for Book Clubs - I allow students time to read and work on their Book Club Jobs in class, but they may need to finish it at home.

Student Expectations

Effort: I know that no one is perfect, but I ask students to work toward their full potential. That may include working cooperatively with others. I want them to share ideas and work together on various assignments, but I also expect them to do their own work—and do this to the best of their ability.

In an effort to encourage quality performance, when a student’s work is not up to his or her skill level the child may be asked to redo the work. This is certainly never intended as a punishment, but rather as another opportunity to improve and learn from mistakes. 

Corrections: We try to give corrections back as soon as possible. Your child should be making the corrections and turning the corrected work back in. I try to make sure that each child is working at a level comfortable for them. If you think that he/she is struggling way more than necessary on this, please let me know.

Respect: Students are expected to learn to treat themselves, others, and the environment with respect. This would apply to work, their manners, their treatment of others, and the overall school environment including the classroom, playground and all areas of the school.

Kindness: In keeping with Montessori ideals, students are expected to peacefully manage conflict with peers. When this seems too difficult, I ask students to come to an adult for help. Please encourage your child to follow these steps, but if they are unwilling and you are concerned please feel free to call me. Together we can all come to a good solution to any issues.

Final Note: I promise you we will all do our best to create great work and have great fun doing it! Please feel welcome to email me at natalie.hummell@jeffco.k12.co.us  If we all work closely together, your child will benefit all the more. 

Upper El Curriculum for Twilight Peak

Math

Individual and small group lessons using Montessori and teacher created materials – based on student needs and levels.

Excel Math – daily math encompasses a variety of math concepts, and practice.

Math Facts Tests – multiplication, reducing fractions, equivalent percentages etc.

Geometry – small group lessons on Montessori Concepts, Key Curriculum material- students progress at their own pace. 

Hands on Algebra – students progress at own pace on algebraic concepts

Language and Literature

Book Club – reading, comprehension jobs, and sharing

Journaling- journal entries on many different topics

Grammar Lessons

Latin and Greek Root Words

Writers Workshop/ Process Writing – small and large group lessons to teach the skills of writing sentences, paragraphs, and complete essays.

Geography

Atlas workbooks as well as Map Study

History and Current Events

Social Studies weekly - 4th graders Colorado History, 5th graders US History, 6th graders World History

Continent studies and country studies

Mystery History

Time for Kids Magazine – Nonfiction reading on current events.

Science

Grade level Science

Science Experiments

Nature Walks