Overview - There are now three working weeks left before the Science Fair on February 26th. The science groups will begin writing their research papers early this week. By Friday, all background research papers must be turned into Mr. Barkley. Any students who finish earlier than Friday are able to move forward in their work. Mr Bish will take those students and begin writing hypotheses, variables, and procedural pieces. We are hopeful that all students will be ready to begin their experiments by the end of next week. All groups that get behind in their work must stay after school to get caught up. We still have students leaving early with incomplete work.
Monday - 1/26/15 -
In science today, Mr. Bish modeled how to change our research questions into topic sentences. We used our own research questions, as well as the topic sentences of a former sixth grade student. The lesson started off by showing the groups what their research template would look like. We had the students record this information in their science notebooks. Then, we displayed an actual science report written by a sixth grade student, making sure to emphasize the importance of the topic sentences. Next, we took our six research questions and systematically turned them into topic sentences. We had the students in class assist us, to check for understanding. After that, Mr. Bish then showed the groups how to use their keywords to create their own original sentences to fit under each topic sentence. We reiterated that a great report should have a minimum of five supporting details under each topic sentence. The students were asked to provide the sentences for our research paper. Finally, we broke into two groups. Mr. Barkley took the students who were ready to begin writing, and Mr. Bish worked with the students who had not completed their research from last week.
Homework-
All research questions must be answered before moving on to the drafting of the research paper. We are asking that any groups not done stay after to work on this. The research paper is due, with a works cited section, this Friday. There are no exceptions. Students may not move ahead if they have not completed this process. Remember, we only have 14 working days until the science fair.
Tuesday - 1/27/15 -
We are now deep into the research reports. The groups are moving along at their own pace. The deadline of Friday has been set for every student. We are seeing that some of the groups are really advancing quite well, while others need reteaching. Students are being pushed to set higher expectations for themselves and to problem solve on their own.
Mr. Bish once again took the groups that were struggling with writing topic sentences, and Mr. Barkley worked with the students that were actually drafting their detailed, supporting sentences. We should have some groups finishing today with their entire report. It is amazing to watch students delegate workloads among themselves. Hopefully, these groups can motivate others to set higher expectations for themselves.
Homework-
Students are expected to stay after school and work on the completion of their background research. The deadline for the report is this Friday, as we need to move into the next phase of the project.
Wednesday - 1/28/15 -
Our first batches of reports are starting to come in. Students have been making the necessary revisions to their work and can now successfully move onto the next phase of the project. Those students will begin to draft their Scientific Purpose and Hypothesis. We will go more in-depth with the process on Monday.
Many students are in the process of typing their first drafts. It is strongly recommended that they stay after school tonight, in order to ensure that they successfully revise and edit their background research report by Friday.
All research papers turned in after this Friday, will receive a grade of "0." The papers must still be completed and turned in before the groups can advance in their research. There is a very tight deadline, and the students are now learning about meeting expectations.
Homework -
Complete their research papers by Friday. There are no late exceptions. All papers turned in after Friday will receive a grade of "0."
Thursday and Friday - 1/29/15 and 1/30/15 -
Students are finishing up on their reports. Some have moved deeper into the project. Mr. Barkley is now working with those students who have not finished their reports, while Mr. Bish is guiding the others. All papers not handed in today by 2:30 will be scored as a "0." There are no exceptions.
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