Exciting Things are Happening!
Wright, Crockett, and Curtis Quest
Vol. 2, No. 18, April 9, 2017
This Week in Quest
Please Come!
Please come to the annual Quest Open House or iSTREAM Showcase.
Wright: Monday, April 10, 5:30 - 6:30 in the cafeteria
Crockett: Tuesday, April 11, 5:30 - 6:30 in the Quest room
Curtis: Thursday, April 20, 5:30 - 6:30 in the cafeteria
All iSTREAM projects (passion, research, science fair, and artwork) will be on display for viewing by parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, and other guests. The showcase is a "come and go" event. Guests arrive anytime between 5:30 and 6:30 and stay as long as they wish. Students will not be doing individual presentations of their projects. However, some always enjoy sharing their knowledge with guests when asked. I look forward to seeing you! Students may take home their projects this evening.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. I am always happy to help!
Keep in mind that I work on 3 different campuses during the week. Email is usually the best way to get in touch. I can also be reached at the following locations on each day of the week.
Monday: Wright - (817) 598-2828 ext: 4927
Tuesday and Wednesday: Crockett - (817) 598-2811 ext: 4429
Thursday and Friday: Curtis - (817) 598-2838 ext: 4556
Vol. 2, No. 17, April 2, 2017
This Week in Quest
Students have been working on the project at school and at home. Your student has a research folder that contains information about the project as well. Please email or call me if you have any questions. Thank you so much for the support you have given your child with the project at home.
Projects will be on display to share with families, friends, teachers, and others at the iSTREAM Showcase.
The Final Days...
I have enjoyed working with you and your child this year. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share this journey with you.
The last day of Quest for each group is:
Monday: April 10
Tuesday: April 11
Wednesday: April 12
Thursday: April 13
Friday: April 7
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. I am always happy to help!
Keep in mind that I work on 3 different campuses during the week. Email is usually the best way to get in touch. I can also be reached at the following locations on each day of the week.
Monday: Wright - (817) 598-2828 ext: 4927
Tuesday and Wednesday: Crockett - (817) 598-2811 ext: 4429
Thursday and Friday: Curtis - (817) 598-2838 ext: 4556
Vol. 2, No. 16, March 26, 2017
This Week
Passion Research Project
Completed Passion Research Project Due Dates:
Monday: April 3, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
Save the Date!
Wright: Monday, April 10, 5:30 - 6:30 in the cafeteria
Crockett: Tuesday, April 11, 5:30 - 6:30 in the Quest room
Curtis: Thursday, April 20, 5:30 - 6:30 in the cafeteria
All iSTREAM projects (passion, research, science fair, and artwork) will be on display for viewing by parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, and other guests. The showcase is a "come and go" event. Guests arrive anytime between 5:30 and 6:30 and stay as long as they wish. Students will not be doing individual presentations of their projects. However, some always enjoy sharing their knowledge with guests when asked. I look forward to seeing you! Students may take home their projects this evening.
Vol. 2, No. 15, March 19, 2017
This week in Quest
Just a reminder that the Weatherford Art Association Student Art Show is going on right now until the end of this week, March 24. If you haven't had a chance to visit, the artwork may be viewed during the Doss Heritage Center’s hours of operation. You may want to call before going: 817-599-6168. The hours of operation posted on the website, http://dosscenter.org/, are as follows.
Sunday-Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Wednesday: 10:00 – 5:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 8:00
Friday - Saturday: 10:00 - 5:00
Reception for Student artists and their families:
Friday, March 24: 6:00 p.m.
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center is located at 1400 Texas Drive.
Visitors of the student art show will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite piece with money that will go back to the kids. Anyone can vote on any piece for $1. The money will be given to the kids at a reception that is being held on Friday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Passion Research Project
With the STAAR tests on Tuesday, March 28, and Wednesday, March 29, and Camp Grady Spruce for Curtis 5th grade on Thursday, April 6, and the Good Friday holiday on April 14, most classes have just 1 class day left before their project due date.
Completed Passion Research Project Due Dates:
Monday: April 3, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
Many of the students have completed their projects and have already brought them to school. I have encouraged the students to bring their projects as soon as they have finished to share with us. Please have your child bring his/her presentation and product to school this week or next if he/she has finished.
Cite Your Sources
Vol. 2, No. 14, March 5, 2017
Science Fair, Passion Research Project, and Weatherford Art Association Updates
Science Fair
Students may take their projects home Monday night after the fair, but please keep them as they will be showcased at the annual Quest Open House (the iSTREAM Showcase) in April. If you would like to send the trifold board to school on your child's next Quest day for me to store in the Quest room, please do so. I am happy to do that.
Directions to Bowie Learning Center Conference Room back (East) parking lot:
From the courthouse, go north on FM 51N (North Main Street). Turn right on Edna then turn left on N. Walnut just past Couts Christian Academy. This will dead-end into the parking lot. If you turn left onto E. Weatherford, there is side parking to enter the south entrance of the main building. The conference center room is the building constructed of white metal siding not the brick building facing Elm St.
Passion Research Project
There are about four weeks left until the projects are due. Most students are progressing very well, and some have completely finished. See below for the due dates.
Students who chose to complete a Passion Research project must bring the research folder and library books to school on his/her Quest day. Students will be using these in class.
Students have been given grading rubrics to guide the creation of the presentations. Remind them to refer to this as they are working.
Students creating tri-fold board presentations may print their work at school if necessary. If your child needs a tri-fold board, I have a few at school that can be recycled. I also have construction paper for students to use. Just let me know.
Completed Passion Research Project Due Dates:
Monday: April 3, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
Weatherford Art Association Student Art Show
Art will be displayed March 7 through March 24 and may be viewed during the Doss Heritage Center’s hours of operation. You may want to call before going: 817-599-6168. The hours of operation posted on the website, http://dosscenter.org/, are as follows.
Sunday-Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Wednesday: 10:00 – 5:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 8:00
Friday - Saturday: 10:00 - 5:00
The Doss Heritage and Culture Center is located at 1400 Texas Drive.
Visitors of the student art show will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite piece with money that will go back to the kids. Anyone can vote on any piece for $1. The money will be given to the kids at a reception that is being held on Friday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m. All are invited to attend.
Vol. 2, No. 13, February 26, 2017
Science Fair and Passion Research Project Updates for the week of February 27 - March 3
Just a reminder...
Science Fair
Passion Research Project Upate
This week, students need to continue typing the information for the digital or trifold board presentation. Most students understand they must work on this project at home as well as at school in order to finish it by the due date. See below for the specific dates. Help me keep your child on target for meeting project deadlines by having him/her work at home every week. We set short term and long term goals in class so students know what they are responsible for having completed, and we refer to the calendar in the research folder at the beginning of every class to know what they should work on during class and at home. Thank you for the help you are providing at home so your child can meet these deadlines!
Students have been given grading rubrics to guide the creation of the presentations. Remind them to refer to this as they are working.
Students creating tri-fold board presentations may print their work at school if necessary. If your child needs a tri-fold board, I have a few at school that can be recycled. I also have construction paper for students to use. Just let me know.
Completed Traditional Research Passion Project Due Dates:
Monday: April 3, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
Students who chose to complete a Passion Research Project will be given the following letter this week. They will create a product to further explain or enhance their research topic. See below. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.
Vol. 2, No. 12, February 12, 2017
February 13 - 17 Update
Please make sure your child brings the research folder and library books to school on his/her Quest day. Students will be using these in class.
Students are all working on different types of projects at this time, Science Fair, Passion Research Project, or Weatherford Art Association Contest. When I met with students last week, I gave them specific instructions about what they needed to have completed before coming to class this week.
Scroll down to find out what your child needs to do for his/her project.
Important due date!
If your child has been working on a piece of art at home, it is due this week on his/her Quest day.
Next week, all pieces will be presented to a team of local school judges who will select 10 that will be entered in the Weatherford Art Association's Parker County Student Art Show.
See the information below. If your child has not been working on this at home, it is too late at this time to begin working on a piece to enter this competition.
Weatherford Art Association Competition
All works must be originals created by the students within the current school year. They cannot be copied or traced.
***I will have mounting paper.***
Acceptable entries may be:
- Original photographs taken by the student this year
- Paintings or drawings
- 3-D art or sculptures
Photographs should be printed on 8 x 10 paper.
Paintings can be on heavy paper such as watercolor paper or on a canvas. I have heavy paper that I can give to the students, but I do not have canvas.
I do not have any clay or materials for 3-D art.
WAA and Dos Heritage reserve the right to qualify or disqualify any entry.
Prizes will be awarded on Friday, March 24, 2017 at the Dos Heritage Museum from 5 - 7 p.m. Winners will be notified a few days before the reception.
Our students are competing in the Gifted and Talented Program category.
Students must have their artwork at school on their Quest day.
Monday: February 13
Tuesday: February 14
Wednesday: February 15
Thursday: February 16
Friday: February 17
Science Fair
Pages 13 - 15 contain general information about presenting to judges and rules that are good to know. Our students will not present a presentation to the judges. We are following the rules and procedures for the Texas Women's University Regional Science Fair on Saturday, April 8, 2017 in Denton.
See below for your child's due date.
Scroll down to review the Rules, Guidelines, Judging Procedures, and Criteria I posted several weeks ago to guide the science fair process.
Thank you for helping at home with this project.
Completed science fair projects are due at school on these dates.
Monday: Either February 13 or February 27 (February 20 is a holiday.)
Tuesday: February 21
Wednesday: February 22
Thursday: February 23
Friday: February 24
Vol. 2, No. 11, February 5, 2017
February 6 - 10 Update
Please make sure your child brings the research folder and library books to school on his/her Quest day. Students will be using these in class.
Students are all working on different types of projects at this time, Science Fair, Passion Research Project, or Weatherford Art Association Contest. When I met with students last week, I gave them specific instructions about what they needed to have completed before coming to class this week.
Scroll down to find out what your child needs to do for the project he/she has chosen do.
Passion Research Project
When students come to Quest this week February 13 - 17, they need to have at least 2 pages of notes over 2 subtopics and should be in the process of writing notes over the 3rd subtopic.
Once they have completed taking all notes over all of their subtopics, students will decide whether they want to create a digital or analog (paper) presentation.
The paper presentation typically is a tri-fold board, but students have been creative in the past by making their own type of paper presentation. For example, one student who was researching the pyramids made a pyramid out of cardboard and displayed his information on the sides of the pyramid. If a student chooses to do a paper presentation, keep in mind it should be self-standing or supported. It should not just be a piece of poster board. Students will type the information in a Google Doc. See instructions below to learn how students can access their school Google Drive account from home. The information can be printed at school or at home and then mounted on the analog display.
Students choosing to complete a digital presentation will have a choice of building their own website or slide presentation in Google Drive.
I have specific information and rubrics to guide the process of creating both of these pieces. As soon as the students have completed taking all notes for all subtopics, I will give them the rubrics.
Thank you for the help you are providing at home so your child can meet these deadlines!
Completed Traditional Research Passion Project Due Dates:
Monday: April 3, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
Science Fair
This will take seven steps. Students should set a goal to have Step 3 complete by February 12. This will allow them a week to complete Step 4: The Presentation or Why you Needed all Those Pictures in order to be finished by the due date. See below for your child's due date.
Also, scroll down to review the Rules, Guidelines, Judging Procedures, and Criteria I posted a couple of weeks ago to guide the science fair process.
Thank you for helping at home with this project.
Completed science fair projects are due at school on these dates.
Monday: Either February 13 or February 27 (February 20 is a holiday.)
Tuesday: February 21
Wednesday: February 22
Thursday: February 23
Friday: February 24
Passion Research Project
This week, I am giving the students a calendar with important due dates and a letter with specific information about this project to add to their research folders. Please ask to see your student's folder after his/her class day so you can read over the calendar, letter, and make sure he/she has completed at least one page of notes, single spaced or two pages if double spaced, for at least two of the subtopics for this week, February 6 - February 10. Thank you for helping at home with this project.
If they have taken notes on at least three subtopics, this is great! They can begin the next step which is to type their notes into their own words in a Google Doc or Microsoft Word. I highly recommend that the students login to their school Google account and use Google Docs, because the students have access to their work wherever they have an internet connection without having to save their work on a flash drive and transport it back and forth to school. Use the steps below to help your student access his/her school Google account.
Passion Research Project Due Dates:
Monday: April 3, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
Weatherford Art Association
All works must be originals created by the students within the current school year. They cannot be copied or traced.
***I will have mounting paper.***
Acceptable entries may be:
- Original photographs taken by the student this year
- Paintings or drawings
- 3-D art or sculptures
Photographs should be printed on 8 x 10 paper.
Paintings can be on heavy paper such as watercolor paper or on a canvas. I have heavy paper that I can give to the students, but I do not have canvas.
I do not have any clay or materials for 3-D art.
WAA and Dos Heritage reserve the right to qualify or disqualify any entry.
Prizes will be awarded on Friday, March 24, 2017 at the Dos Heritage Museum from 5 - 7 p.m. Winners will be notified a few days before the reception.
Our students are competing in the Gifted and Talented Program category.
Students who are interested in entering the competition must have their artwork at school on their Quest day.
Monday: February 13
Tuesday: February 14
Wednesday: February 15
Thursday: February 16
Friday: February 17
Vol. 2, No. 10, January 29, 2017
This Week
Please make sure your child brings the research folder and library books to school on his/her Quest day. Students will be using these in class.
Students are all working on different types of projects at this time, Science Fair, Passion Research Project, or Weatherford Art Association Contest. When I met with students last week, I gave them specific instructions about what they needed to have completed before coming to class this week.
Scroll down to find out what your child needs to do for his/her project.
Science Fair
Once the students have written the hypothesis, Step 3: Testing Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment can begin. This will take seven steps so this will not be due this week. The image on the right shows what the front cover of this packet looks like. The images below show what the referenced pages look like.
Scroll down to review the Rules, Guidelines, Judging Procedures, and Criteria I posted a couple of weeks ago to guide the science fair process.
Completed science fair projects are due at school on these dates.
Monday: Either February 13 or February 27 (February 20 is a holiday.)
Tuesday: February 21
Wednesday: February 22
Thursday: February 23
Friday: February 24
Passion Project
Once they found their sources, students identified at least three subtopics on which to focus their research. We looked at how books and encyclopedia articles are already divided into subtopics called chapters and subheadings. They can select those as their subtopics if they wish or they can come up with their own focus of study.
Due this week for the Passion Project:
At this point, students should be taking notes over their subtopics. I had them write the title of each subtopic on a separate piece of notebook paper in their research folders. This is where they are to write the information they find. Students need to have at least one page of notes, single spaced or two pages if double spaced, for at least one of their subtopics when they come to class this week, January 30 - February 3. If they have taken notes on more or all of their subtopics, this is great! They can begin the next step which is to type their notes into their own words in a Google Doc or Microsoft Word.
The first formal lesson the students heard was how to take proper notes. I gave them a paper titled, "A Good Note Taker." See the image below. This is in your child's research folder. We read and discussed the points outlined on the page, and I explained the importance of not writing complete sentences when taking notes. A good note taker only writes words, phrases, or enough information to recall key points. Copying information word for word, sentence by sentence from a source (book, website, magazine, encyclopedia, etc...) is never appropriate. For one thing, it takes up too much time. For another, it leads to plagiarism. My desire is for the students to learn early-on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it. Please take some time to review your student's notes and give them feedback.
Vol. 2, No. 9, January 16, 2017
Important Information
There is a lot of information below about the three projects with specific deadlines. Before reading, you may want to check with your child to find out what he/she has chosen to do to know which information pertains to him/her. That way you won't be overloaded with unnecessary information.
Please email me if you have any questions after talking to your child. ccheshire@weatherfordisd.com
Science Fair Projects and Research Passion Projects
This year, the students have a choice to complete a science fair project or the traditional research passion project for Quest. Both types of projects will be displayed at the annual Quest Open House in April. Science Fair projects will be entered in our local science fair competition on March 6.
Before the Christmas holiday, I presented information to the students about doing a science fair project. The ones who expressed interest in participating in the science fair have been given an information packet with instructions on how to create an appropriate science fair project to take home. The project is to be completed by the student under the supervision of an adult helper at home. The winners of the local competition will advance to the next level of competition at the Texas Women's University Regional Science Fair on Saturday, April 8, 2017 in Denton. Parents are required to attend this out of town event with their children. At this time, these students are suppose to be deciding on a topic to focus their project, writing a guiding question, and searching for resources or sources to use. Once they have done this, they need to write their Hypothesis based on what they learned from their research. When students come to class this upcoming week, they are to have their question written, have some resources located, and have the Hypothesis written. Once this is done, they can begin the experimentation part of the project. See below for important rules, guidelines, and judging procedure and criteria.
Science Fair projects are due on your child's Quest day the last week of February.
Students who are not working on a science fair project will complete a traditional research passion project. At this time, the students who are working on a Passion research Project are at different points. Most students have decided on a topic and now are in the process of looking for quality information/sources. They need to begin taking notes from their sources.
Traditional Research Passion Project Due Dates:
Monday: April 3, 2017
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Friday, March 31, 2017
Both groups of students were given a pocket folder with brads to organize and compile their notes. You may have seen this. If not, please ask to see it. The folder contains the “What I Love/What Really Bothers Me” bracket, information on how to take notes, notebook paper, and for some, paper copies of information they found from sources on the internet that we printed at school. This folder is to be used to guide their progress, and students need to bring it to Quest every class.
Thank you in advance for your help in making these projects a success! We couldn't do it without you!
Science Fair: Rules and Guidelines
Since the winners of our local science fair will enter their projects into the Texas Women’s University Science Fair, we are following TWU’s guidelines and rules.
Guidelines:
in order to be considered eligible for Science Fair prizes and/or awards, participants MUST be present at the time of their age group's check-in and awards ceremony. Projects checked in by parents, teachers, or guardians will not be considered eligible for awards. Participants must be present to collect any awards, raffle prizes, or goodie bags in person.
The TWU Science Fair now accepts projects from students in grades Kindergarten - 8th.
General Rules:
If the following rules are not followed, the project will be disqualified.
An individual exhibit is constructed by one person only.
All exhibits must be constructed by students.
Teachers or other technically trained people may give information and advice only.
Each student may enter only one exhibit.
Posters must be self-supporting. Tri-fold boards are recommended.
No student's name, school name, or photo of student (recognizable facial image) may be displayed on an exhibit.
Size of exhibit is limited to 30 inches in depth, 48 inches in width, and 108 inches in height from the floor to the top of the exhibit. Maximum project size includes all project materials, supports, and demonstrations for judges. If a table is used it becomes part of the display and must not exceed the allowed dimensions nor may the table plus any part of the project exceed the allowed dimensions.
Journals are recommended but not required.
All equipment and other necessary material must be furnished by exhibitor; 110 volt outlets will be available but must be specifically requested prior to the registration deadline.
If electricity is needed, exhibitor must furnish an extension cord at least 15 feet in length.
Safety precautions must be strictly observed, or project will be disqualified.
- No prior trophies, ribbons, or awards may be displayed.
Science Fair Judging Procedure and Criteria
Science Fair: Judging Procedure & Criteria
Judging Procedure
The young scientists' projects are judged on a variety of points, including originality of question, hypothesis, procedure and organization, investigation trials, analysis, evaluation and conclusion, and presentation/display on tri-fold board. (Students will not make oral presentations to the judges.)
Judging Criteria
Each entry will be judged separately on its own merit. The judges will use the criteria as listed and will give consideration to the degree to which standards are met. Each entry will be evaluated on a point basis. Five points are possible in each category with a maximum of 35 points available overall.
Originality of Question
Exhibits should show originality of research/unique question. Weight will be given to ingenious use of materials, unique perspective or originality of approach.
Procedure/Organization
An exhibit will be judged on how the *Scientific Method is used and how easy it is to follow. The sequence should capture and exhibit all observations, data collections, and changes to the project as well as disclose whether a control was used.
*Scientific Method: question, hypothesis, investigation/testing, analysis, and evaluation/conclusion.
Investigation Trials
Exhibit will be judged on how many times the experiment was performed and the adequacy of the sample size.
Analysis
Data will be judged on how clearly it is presented and the relationship between the data and the hypothesis/question.
Evaluation/Conclusion
An exhibit should show that a logical conclusion has been drawn from the data collected, and that the data answers the hypothesis/question, and/or raises a new hypothesis/question.
Presentation
Exhibit should display well organized data and clear/accurate use of text/charts/graphs. Text within the project is legible with few to no spelling errors.