Great
Brain Project
The
administration and faculty at Rosamond Elementary encourages
students, with the help of their parents and classroom teachers,
to become involved in Great Brain Adventure projects.
Specifically, to become a Great Brain, a child chooses a
topic in which he is interested, researches the topic in-depth,
using a variety of sources and keeping careful records of
his findings. The child then plans and makes a presentation
before a school audience and invited guests.
At this point, it will be
assumed that the child knows more about his chosen subject
than anyone else in the school. A photo will be taken and
displayed in the school. He will be awarded a Great Brain
certificate, and be congratulated by the principal.
A Great Brain Adventure project
is more intensive than regularly assigned school work. Curiosity,
creativity, commitment, and perseverance are required to
complete such independent study. A strict set of guidelines
and steps must be followed to accomplish the goals of the
project, but the rewards of accomplishment and increased
self-esteem that result are well worth the efforts of students
and parents.
For an exciting adventure
in learning, we invite you to initiate a Great Brain Adventure
project soon.
STEPS
TO BECOMING A GREAT BRAIN
1. List several subjects which arouse your interest or curiosity.
Remember, there is a whole, wide world of interesting things,
common or uncommon. Your own interest is the most important
guide to choosing a topic. Don’t be afraid to stray
from the beaten path. Take what time you need to brainstorm
until something really sparks your interest. You might discover
an interesting subject while reading a newspaper or magazine,
listening to a special program or speaker, or observing
something in a real-life situation. Perhaps you’ve
always had a fascination for a certain subject and want
to pursue it. Of course, a Great Brain subject should be
one that will stretch the limits of your knowledge, rather
than one you have already mastered.
2. Choose, with your parents’ help, one of the subjects
from your list which is most appealing and offers the most
promise of new discoveries. Your parents can help you narrow
or broaden the topic as needed and is appropriate for your
age and abilities.
3. Fill in and sign the official Great Brain contract included
as the last page of this guide. This is a very important
step and no Great Brain project is considered in progress
until this is done. If possible, you and your parent(s)
should arrange to meet with your classroom teacher at this
point to initiate the actual work on your project. At the
very least, you, your parent, and your teacher must all
read and sign the contract before any further work is done.
4. Prepare a high-quality list of questions that you would
like to find answers to on your subject. Keep adding to
your list as you dig deeper and deeper. A minimum of 20
good questions to answer should be listed.
5. Gather information about your subject from a variety
of sources and from all possible places over a period of
one to several months. Go to libraries, museums, laboratories,
exhibits, programs, etc. Use books, magazines, television,
telephone and personal interviews of authorities, mail-order,
film strips, videos, experiments, the internet, and surveys--any
sources you can find that are applicable to your subject.
You must have at least five (5) different sources in your
bibliography.
6. Keep notes and accurate records of the interesting things
you learn and the places where you find information. Don’t
just copy the author’s words. Summarize information
in your own words and tell some of your own ideas.
7. Organize your findings by grouping related ideas under
major headings. Make a formal outline to help make sense
of your subject and provide continuity from beginning to
end.
8. Create an original product that has to do with your subject
and reflects your own thinking. This could be a story, a
poem, a painting, a photo essay, a play, a short video program,
construction of an original model, devising and carrying
out an original scientific experiment, or any of a number
of things. It is a very important part of your total project.
9. Make or collect audio/visual aids such as pictures, posters,
real objects, sound effects, etc., which will make your
presentation more interesting or easier for your audience
to understand.
10. Practice your presentation until you are able to give
it clearly and confidently. Know your subject very well.
Be prepared to answer questions from your audience. Of course,
you may use notes, but you should know your subject well
enough in your own words that you do not need to read your
entire presentation. Even though you may feel a little nervous,
you should practice giving your presentation in a loud,
clear voice to your family. Hear their suggestions for improvement
and try again as many times as necessary. Try, above all,
to share your ENTHUSIASM and EXCITEMENT with your audience.
11. Schedule your presentation with your teacher when you
are sure that you are ready or soon will be. Your teacher
will review with you the steps involved and schedule an
appropriate time for your presentation if you have fulfilled
the obligations of the contract. Be sure to invite your
parents and special friends and talk with your teacher about
the audience you would feel comfortable with. Make sure
your teacher knows if you need any special equipment or
furniture for your presentation.
12. Hand in the written component of your Great Brain project
three days prior to the time of your presentation. This
should include a title page, a list of your research questions,
a written report of your findings, and a bibliography. All
of these things should be typed or neatly written and included
in some sort of folder or binder. Your teacher may also
ask to see your notes and your outline. You will be able
to keep this written report and be proud of it for many
years to come.
WHAT
IS A PARENT’S ROLE?
Since a Great Brain project is mostly an independent research
undertaking and is completed, to a large extent, outside
of school, parents play a significant role. A parent will,
in most cases, be very involved in the preparation of the
project, but will be a spectator when the child does his
presentation.
Following are some guidelines:
1. Help the student decide on a realistic and interesting
topic.
2. Meet with your child and the classroom teacher to sign
the contract.
3. Brainstorm with your child to develop questions of inquiry
on his topic.
4. Promote and encourage the project by helping your child
set up schedule to complete each step.
5. Provide or help the child get necessary materials for
visual aids and the creative phase of the project.
6. Center some of your family discussions and activities
on the child’s Great Brain topic.
7. Guide your child in his research and help him to evaluate
his progress.
8. Help your child prepare and rehearse his presentation.
9. Be sure to attend your child’s presentation, along
with other invited adult guests such as grandparents,
neighbors, and friends. This should be a very special day
for your child. He will have completed
a difficult and unique task and will deserve your praise
and recognition within the family unit.
10. HELP BUILD YOUR CHILD’S CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM.
GREAT
BRAIN AGREEMENT
STUDENT - PARENT - TEACHER
AS A STUDENT AT ROSAMOND
ELEMENTARY, I AM VERY INTERESTED IN COMPLETING A GREAT BRAIN
ADVENTURE PROJECT. I UNDERSTAND THAT I WILL HAVE TO WORK
VERY HARD AND SPEND EXTRA TIME ON THIS PROJECT. I WILL ASK
MY TEACHER FOR HELP AND WILL WORK WITH MY PARENTS TO COMPLETE
THE PROJECT.
__________________________ __________
STUDENT’S SIGNATURE
DATE
I
UNDERSTAND THAT MY CHILD WISHES TO COMPLETE A GREAT BRAIN
ADVENTURE PROJECT. I AM WILLING TO WORK WITH MY CHILD AND
HELP IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.
___________________________
_________
PARENT’S SIGNATURE
DATE
I UNDERSTAND THAT ONE OF MY
STUDENTS WANTS TO COMPLETE A GREAT BRAIN ADVENTURE PROJECT.
I AM WILLING TO ASSIST IN GETTING THE FINAL PRESENTATION
SCHEDULED, GETTING A REVIEW COMPLETED AND ASSISTING ALONG
THE WAY.
___________________________
__________
TEACHER’S SIGNATURE DATE
(This form should be place in the back of the finished written
report folder.)
