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This week, we've started preparing for our annual Social Studies Expo. The purpose of this event is to allow students to strengthen their research skills and deepen their understanding of a topic of interest related to social studies such as a historical event, important invention, or world culture and how this topic has affected life before, during, and after. It is particularly important for students to be able to explain the historical significance of their topics and how their research topic has impacted the world. Students are responsible for selecting a topic, conducting research, and creating an age-appropriate report, display board, and 3-D project to present at the Social Studies Expo.
Topics were discussed in December. On Monday of this week, students visited the library to select their reference books. During the week, bibliographies and reference cards were created and preliminary questions have been written to guide our research.
The bulk of the work for Social Studies Expo will be completed at school. Students will do their research, write fact cards, type outlines and reports (grade 3 and up), and create display boards during twice-weekly Writing blocks.
Parental involvement includes a 3D project and practicing the oral presentation. Parents are asked to help collect materials to create the 3D project, which should be hand-made by the student. Parental assistance should be as minimal as possible. (Don't worry about this yet. Students will decide on a project after they've completed some research). Secondly, parents will be asked to assist in rehearsing the oral presentation. A "script" will be written at school and sent home in March.
This event involves long-term preparation, which helps students learn to budget their time to meet various deadlines as they progress. Effective time-management is an essential life skill that will be valuable to our students in their educational and professional careers - and beyond!
A white folder with more details will be sent home soon. Watch for further updates in future newsletters and on the daily planner sheets.
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