Dear Parents/Guardians,

It’s hard to believe that 2015 is almost over! When we come back from break, we will jump right into the exploration of Modern Inventions. During this study, each child will be responsible for researching a product of his/her choice related to the study of Modern Inventions, mostly done outside of the classroom.

I have attached a list of suggested topics, timeline and rubric to assist the children as they progress through the project. The timeline will guide them through an organized and well planned preparation for their oral presentations and it must be adhered to. The length of the actual presentation should be approximately 5 minutes. Students should share a wealth of information with classmates. Please encourage your child to do extensive reading on his/her chosen topic.

During the actual presentation, the children may refer to notecards of bulleted notes to assist them in remembering names, dates, events, etc. but they may not read the information directly. The students are required to utilize a visual aid when presenting the report. The aid may include: PowerPoint, Prezi, Keynote, Google Presentation, poster, demonstration, display board, model, timeline, collage, diorama, or any original idea related to the topic. Students are required to submit a paper bibliography of three sources on the day they present their oral report. It is recommended that at least one of the sources be a book. All Woodbridge Public Libraries are aware of this project and will provide a selection of books about inventions.

I hope this assignment will prove to be enjoyable as well as enriching. Please sign the attached notification form to indicate that you have received the packet of information and that your child clearly understands the project. Thank you for your cooperation and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

Sincerely,

Erica Azar

Inventors Project Timeline

Distribution of project packets Week of December 7-11

Parent Notification Form Week of December 14-18

and Choice of Topic due/finalized

Bulleted notes on Source #1 due Week of January 11-15

Bulleted notes on Source #2 due Week of January 25-29

Bulleted notes on Source #3 due Week of February 8-12


Oral Reports (with bibliography Starting the week of:

and visual aid) Week of February 22

The actual date for individual presentations will be assigned as we get closer to that point in the project. Each part of the project will receive a grade and it is important that assignments are handed in on time. The major grade for the presentation and visual aid will be assigned when the report is given.

There should be 15 facts for each set of bulleted notes. The facts should be in complete sentences, typed and printed out. If students find more than 15 facts for one particular source, they are able to use those facts in another set. However, there must be at least 3 sources represented over the three assignments.

When researching, some topics to focus on include:

·  The actual product (uses, features, etc.)

·  Biographical information about the inventor

·  Inventor’s noteworthy contributions and accomplishments

·  Other inventions created by the inventor

·  The inventor’s process of creating the product

·  The product’s influence on society (positive or negative)

·  Anything else you find interesting and important

POSSIBLE MODERN INVENTIONS TOPICS

·  Nanotechnology

·  Nanobots

·  GPS

·  Google

·  E-Reader

·  Facebook

·  Segway

·  Communication Satellites

·  3-D Printers

·  Compact Disk (CDs)

·  Windows (Microsoft)

·  Cellular Phones

·  Artificial Heart

·  MRI Machines

·  Hoverboard

·  Wireless Electricity

·  Applewatch

·  Calculator

·  Microwave Oven

·  Vaccines

·  LED lighting

·  YouTube Channel

·  Lego Robotics

·  Hot Air Balloons

·  Google’s Driveless Car

Or any other invention that you may be interested in!

2016
Inventions
Rubric / 3 points / 2 points / 1 point / 0 points
TIMING / Student speaks for the 5 minute allotted time. / Student speaks for less than the 5 minute allotted time. / Student speaks for more than 6 minutes. / Student speaks for significantly more or less than the allotted time limit of 5 minutes.
VOICE / Student uses an enthusiastic, clear voice and correct, precise pronunciation of terms so that all audience members can hear the presentation. / Student’s voice is clear. Student pronounces most words correctly. Most audience members can hear presentation. / Student’s voice is low. Student incorrectly pronounces terms. Audience members have difficulty hearing presentation. / Student mumbles, incorrectly pronounces terms, and speaks too quietly for a majority of students to hear
BULLETED NOTES / Student rarely refers to sheet of bulleted notes to help remember dates, names, etc. / Student occasionally refers to sheet of bulleted notes to help remember dates, names, etc. / Student often refers to sheet of bulleted notes to help remember dates, names, etc. / Student reads directly from bulleted notes.
SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE / Student demonstrates full knowledge of topic by providing a wealth of information. / Student demonstrates partial knowledge of topic by providing some information. / Student demonstrates some knowledge of topic by providing little information. / Student does not understand the topic and it is apparent from the lack of information.
APPEARANCE / Visual aid is neat, colorful and easy to read. Visual aid makes the subject “come alive” to the audience. / Visual aid lacks neatness and/or color, but makes the subject “come alive” to the audience. / Visual aid does not make the subject “come alive” to the audience. / Visual aid is nonexistent.
RELEVENCE / Visual aid is relevant to the topic and the information is accurate. / Visual aid is partly relevant to the topic, but is accurate. / Visual aid is inaccurate and somewhat relevant to the topic. / Visual aid is inaccurate and is irrelevant to the topic.
GRAMMAR/SPELLING / Grammar and usage are always correct and enhance the writing clarity and style. / Grammar and usage are satisfactory, but do not always add to the style of the writing. / Problems with grammar and usage are not serious enough to distort the meaning, but may not be correct or accurately applied all the time. / Errors in grammar and usage are very noticeable, frequent, and affect meaning.
ACCURACY / All sources are aligned with the Bibliographical Format Sheet in the packet. / Some sources are aligned with the Bibliographical Format Sheet in the packet. / Sources are not aligned with the Bibliographical Format Sheet in the packet. / Bibliography is not handed in.
AMOUNT / Bibliography includes 3 or more sources. / Bibliography includes 2 sources / Bibliography includes 1 source. / Bibliography is not handed in.
TIMING / Presentation is ready on the day it is due / Presentation is 1 week late. / Presentation is 2 weeks late. / Presentation is more than 2 weeks late.

Presentation Guidelines

Organize your presentation using the following outline. No matter what visual aid you choose, you will have to present your information orally to the class. Use notes to help you present your research and your product.

I. Introduction

A. Include an effective lead topic sentence.

B. Be sure to grab your audience’s attention.

II. Body

A. This will be the major part of your presentation.

B. Include important information.

C. Know your information so that you refer to your notes as little as possible.

D. Show visuals you have included

III. Conclusion

A. Summarize your presentation with one or two sentences.

B. Do not include any new material.

C. Be prepared to answer audience questions.

Vibrant Visual Aid Options

Poster

Video

Model

Timeline

Display

Mobile

Book

Sculpture

Film

Collage

Map

Mini-museum

Nearpod

Game

Experiment

Diorama

Scrapbook

Booklet

Brochure

Advertisement

Prezi
Slideshow

Glog

And more…

Invention Websites for Kids

http://go.grolier.com/ (Username: wtsd Password: remote)

http://search.ebscohost.com (username: S9769761 Password: password)

http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Inventors_Inventions.html

http://www.howstuffworks.com/

http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/show/technologyinvention.html

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

http://tweentribune.com/frontpage?link

Please do not use Wikipedia for this project! Some content is inaccurate.

Invention Books for Kids

Parent Notification Form

My child, ______, has shown me the Invention Project Packet and we have reviewed the requirements. I am aware of the Timeline for this project and understand that all work is due on the date stated on the Timeline. The formal oral presentations will begin the week of February 22nd.

My child would like to research the following topic:

Choice 1 ______

Choice 2 ______

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

______

Student Signature Date

______