Please join us for the Special Interest Fair!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Hey parents – it’s time again for the Special Interest Fair! The fair is a Burns Park tradition, and we hope you’ll encourage your student(s) to participate. Last year approximately 80 students shared special interest projects with their classmates, teachers, and families.

All students from kindergarten through 5th grade are encouraged to submit a project! The purpose of the fair is to encourage students to pursue a topic of their interest and provide a showcase for their efforts. The fair is non-competitive, and children may work alone or in a group. Please remember that projects are meant to be the work of the student!

The note to students, printed below, tells students everything they need to know to submit a project. A registration form is attached to this posting, along with a resource guide your student might find helpful if he or she is having trouble choosing a topic. Although we welcome student projects on (almost) any topic, this year we are encouraging students to make projects that relate to our multicultural focus on Africa. Please be sure to review the resource guide with your student – it contains important information for parents from the Burns Park multicultural committee. There is also a substantial bibliography of research materials on Africa available at the Burns Park library, which you can find here.

Here’s the timeline for this year’s fair:

• Registration forms due Friday, March 7
• Registration confirmations sent home Friday, March 14
• Fair Day Wednesday, March 19
  • Project check-in: 8:00 – 8:45 am
  • Class viewing all day

• Family and friends viewing: 6:30 – 7:45 pm (projects must go home that evening!)

Please remember that this is meant to be a fun project for your student. It’s well worth any trips to the library or supply store. Students are so proud when they create a truly “kid” project for the whole school to see. Enjoy!

Questions or comments? Please contact one of the Special Interest Fair co-chairs:

Kim Mass, nkhmass@selectivityinc.com
Patricia Silverman, boczar@med.umich.edu

We look forward to seeing all of the great projects!

Special note about the Culturegrams database: To use the Culturegrams database, follow this link to the Burns Park Media Center research tools page. Then scroll down the list until you find the Culturegrams entry. You will need a username and password to access the database; you can find that on the paper copy of this letter which was sent home from school, or contact Multicultural Committee chair Ruth Slavin for assistance.

Hey kids – it’s time again for the Special Interest Fair! Were you one of the nearly 80 students who shared their special interests with friends, teachers, and families last year? If so, we hope you’ll participate again. If not, please think about joining us!

All kids from kindergarten through 5th grade are encouraged to submit a project! The fair is non-competitive, and you may work alone or in a group. Please remember that projects are meant to be done by kids.

Your project can be on (almost) any topic that you find interesting. Examples of projects from last year include “Meet Puerto Rico,” “Iguana Extravaganza,” and “The Football Hall of Fame.” Although it’s up to you, we’d like to encourage you to make a project that relates to this year’s multicultural focus on Africa. Collections are welcome, as long as you include some text. For example, a football card collection could include a report about your favorite quarterback.

Here’s what to do:

1. Choose! First, pick a topic. Think about your hobbies or interests. Share a special talent or experience. Think of a question you want to answer or explore something you talked about in class. Can’t think of an idea? Ask your parent to help you check out the resource guide attached to this page for Web sites with general project ideas or for books and Web sites about Africa. (Be sure to get permission before going online!)
2. Register! Fill out the registration form attached to this letter and return it to the school office by Friday, March 7. Be sure to have your parent sign it.
3. Investigate! Gather as much information as you can. Visit libraries for books or magazines or surf the Web with your parents’ help. Take a family trip or visit places and talk to people who might be able to help. The more you investigate, the more you can include in your project.

1. Create! Make sure your project is accurate and neat. Space is limited, so make sure your project fits within a 3’ x 2’ area. Wall space is limited, so please use a freestanding cardboard project board (available at local supply stores) or other freestanding display. Please include your name and grade on your project.

Remember – NO LIVE ANIMALS OF ANY KIND! Also, no projectiles or open chemicals. Please do not bring any valuables that can’t be replaced.

Questions? Have a parent get in touch with one of the Special Interest Fair co-chairs. Their e-mail addresses are printed above.

Have fun creating! We look forward to seeing all of the great projects!