Due to the science fair activities taking up more class time than expected last week, the dead line for the Revolutionary War Newspaper has been extend to Friday, May 11.

The outdoor school fundraising letter has been sent home with students. If you didn’t get yours, you can download it here: Outdoor School Fundraising.

A message from Craig Pearson, 6th grade teacher:

We are getting ready to start fundraising for next year’s Outdoor School which will be for the current group of 5^th grade students. Each spring we sell candy bars and beef sticks in order to get a jump start on fundraising. We encourage all of the 5^th grade students to participate as it directly benefits them next year. We also allow each student to earn money off of their $100 ODS fee by participating in this fundraising opportunity. For every item they sell, they will get $.20 off their ODS fee. (if they raise $25, they will get $5 deducted from their cost). Last year we had multiple students raise enough money to pay their entire fee, and many others earn $20 or more off their fee.

A parent information letter will be coming home with your child soon.

Some years ago a fifth grade class of mine dubbed me Mr. Graham the Science Man.  So you can imagine how I felt about the up-coming science fair. Unfortunately, I found that fewer and fewer of my students were choosing to participate in the science fair this year because I said it was voluntary.  So, I have decided to take a different approach.

Here is what we are going to do:

• Everyone is going to participate; everyone now has a project.
• Projects are simple and quick to complete.
• Students may work with a partner.
• I will give class time to those that need it (others will work on independent math, podcasts, Revolutionary War newspapers, and other projects).
• I’m almost always in the classroom during both recess to give extra help.
• I have display boards, construction paper, and other materials, if needed.

Yesterday, as I watched my students planning what they wanted to do, I could see that motivation was strong and they were enjoying the process. Many just needed a gentle nudge in the right direction, and giving some class time to work out what they wanted to do created an excitement that was contagious. It is my goal that the students have some fun while they learn science principles and concepts with this project. We are off to a good start.