Academic and Creative Excellence Program

Fourth Grade

2009-2010

The fourth grade ACE students this year will be pulled once a week by Mr. Easton and once a week by Mrs. Gregory.   The students will participate in a “Mystery Festival.”   During the festival, which was developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California at Berkeley, participants in Mr. Easton’s class will examine a make-believe “crime scene”, and then conduct a variety of tests, experiments and analyses in an attempt to solve the mystery.   Meanwhile, Mrs. Gregory will be working with the students to understand the purpose and workings of the judicial system.   At the conclusion of our combined efforts, the students will conduct an actual trial in an attempt to determine the final solution for the mystery.

Using a Mystery to Draw Students into Science

Everybody loves a mystery. Although some students might tell you that they don't like science or math, you'd be hard pressed to find one who doesn't like to investigate, explore, and do experiments. The Mystery Festival unit combines mystery and investigation in a highly exciting, engaging and educational experience. Your student-detectives will conduct many hands-on forensic science tests on evidence found at the "crime scene." Any one of these tests is interesting and educa­tional in itself— together they add up to a powerful and motivating experience.

Because this mystery (like all mysteries) is layered in complexity, some students may arrive at fairly simple solutions. Other stu­dents may see through the superficial, misleading evidence and come up with more complicated solutions, even involving conspiracies, deceptions, and other conniving schemes. Throughout the entire Mystery Festival, from start to finish, parents will watch the gears turn in their student-sleuths’ heads as they struggle to sort through the evidence. You'll see them change their minds many times, use a multitude of critical thinking skills, and directly experience both real-life applica­tions of science and the joys of scientific exploration.

Please come and visit us.   Check with your son or daughter for the times that we meet. There is no need to call me ahead of time, just check in at the main office and tell them you want to visit the ACE class.   If you have any questions, please e-mail me at reaston@nkcps.k12.va.us or call me at school.   Thank you for your cooperation and support.