Specialty Project Explanation
The Specialty Project is a year-long research project consisting of approximately 20 different projects. Each student will choose a topic of interest to study for the year. A list of possible topics will be posted on the 4th grade website. The most important thing to remember is to choose a topic that is of interest. Students should not choose a topic they have researched in the past.
There are some topics that will not be allowed this year. They include: states, animals, sports, and sports teams. Since we study states, that topic will not be allowed. If a student has an interest in a particular state, he or she will be allowed to do additional research during our course of study. Animals are generally used for research papers in younger grades, and the students also do research projects on animals during Earthworks. This is a special opportunity for students to research a new topic that may have always interested them.
Students will need to have three possible topics picked by the first week of September. Students will need to complete preliminary research to make sure that there is adequate information available to produce quality projects and keep interest high in the chosen topic. By September 2, the topic will be chosen, and the contract signed by September 3.
Much of the specialty project will be done at school. Students will learn specific skills and then apply those skills to completing a project. For instance, when students are working on parts of speech in class, they will use their knowledge of nouns and adjectives to complete two separate projects on their topic. There will be a few projects that will be done at home. Encourage your child to ask questions if they are confused about what is expected. A complete list of projects and due dates will be posted on the fourth grade website.
A Specialty Fair will be held in May for all students to share what they have learned.
