Guess what? This is probably going to be the most relaxing expert project season you've ever gone through as a parent!
I am a big believer in the "Apprenticeship Model" of teaching, which is a gradual release of responsibility.
With each expert project, the expectations for the students have grown and developed. This expert project will be done completely in school, completely by the kids, with some recommendations by me. By following this model, your child has built up understanding of how to use technology, how to search for appropriate and helpful resources, develop skills and strategies for accessing more challenging texts, practiced networking with other students, and developed more organizational skills. It is now time to have the culmination of this work.
Your child is researching a famous event in history. Most of the students have chosen events related to American history, though they had the freedom to choose one that dealt with world history. Their expert projects will center around what led to that event, details about the event itself, and how the result of that event changed history. It's a lot of work and information. They are recording their notes on notecards first and then choosing the most relevant information to include in their slideshows.
You will still be able to view their slideshows when they are created, however I ask that we make this project completely kid-made. I encourage you to ask reflective questions about their work in an effort to make it better; but the work should be done by the student. It should sound like them. This will also provide their new teacher, Ms. Whitecotton, with an excellent work sample as she prepares to teach the kids.
I highly encourage you to come in to listen to your child's project. Their projects will take on the form of a mini-lesson on their event. It would be really awesome to see how your (at one time) 2nd grader has transformed into a confident teacher of their peers! We will do presentations Tuesday May 26th-Friday May 29th. I will provide you with a schedule Tuesday of next week so you can make arrangements if you need.
So, take a breather. Expert project season doesn't have to be a stressful one! :)
