Alex participated in her first science fair last month (first grade, age 6). The entire project was done independently. The only thing the first graders were given were books & posterboard. Alex chose to research & create illustrations for the "White Tailed Deer" and I think she did a grade job. There are a few spelling errors, run on sentences, etc..... but it's all hers. I should note that this was my first time also seeing it. Alex loves doing research and she's done several more "projects" on her own at home since the science fair. (Grey Wolf, Galapagos Tortoise, several types of butterflies & spiders, just to name a few)
I was late getting there and Alex already had a small crowd gathered around her.
I had assumed that students were given a list of topics to research from, as the "white tailed deer" is I think, somewhat random. When I asked Alex about it, she reminded how we had seen a dead deer on the side of the road recently on the way to grandma's. Evidently it got her thinking about why a deer would be on the side of a busy road in a built up area. I remember us talking about how the land used to be covered in woods and with all the new construction, the deer were having to find new homes. This conversation must have stayed with her as she chose to research habitat and the deers relationship to mankind. I love the Montessori philosophy for giving her the opportunity to turn a personal experience/interest into a wonderful learning opportunity.
and here's a quick video of Alex presenting to me. Sorry for all the background noise, horrible camera angles, etc.
That's amazing that she's so independent at 6 to have created that entire project...I know you have to be soooo proud of her...wow!
Posted by: mcoutrier | May 24, 2011 at 11:00