Attention 4th Graders -
The Lighthouse Project has been a longstanding fourth grade tradition at Hiawatha that we are happy to say will continue this year! For those of you not familiar with the project, it is a student led research project on one of Michigan's lighthouses. It is cross-curricular focusing on human characteristics of Michigan (Explorers/Social Studies), the process and steps involved in research (Scholastic Scholars/Language Arts,) and visual presentation of this research (Painting with Words/Writing).
This project will be a collaborative process between school and home. Some of the research will be done at school, but most will be done at home culminating in a final model and poster (containing their research). It will be displayed the week of the 4th grade play. Guidelines are available on what information needs to be included on the poster, along with a rubric. Both will be due Tuesday, April 25th. The fourth grade play is scheduled for Thursday, April 27th, and we would like to have the models and posters up that week to show off the students' hard work!
As in the past, if you would like to build your lighthouse model at school, a 4th grade teacher will be available (see below) to help you - but the teacher(s) need to know ahead of time. Please e-mail them so they can set up a time to help you. We will also have some lighthouse books available, and your devices that you can access so that you can do some of your research at school during free choice or recess. Lastly, please let us know if you need any other supplies like small boxes, poster board, etc...to help you with your construction / poster.
Below you will find a lot of information about this project. However, if you have any additional questions please let us know. We are so excited to continue this longstanding tradition with you.
Sincerely,
The 4th Grade Teachers
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Lighthouse Project?
A: The lighthouse project is a longstanding tradition for our fourth grade students here at Hiawatha. Students draw the name of a Michigan lighthouse. They then research more about it and build a model of and research it.
Q: When is the Lighthouse Project due?
A: The lighthouse project is due Tuesday, April 25th
Q: What does the project consist of?
A: There are two parts to the Lighthouse Project. Part 1 is building a model. You will make a realistic model of your lighthouse trying to match the shapes, colors, architectural features, and physical environment of your Michigan lighthouse. Part 2 is making a poster which will include a picture of your lighthouse, research on the purpose, location, environment, description, function, and history of your Michigan lighthouse.
Q: What can I use to build my lighthouse model?
A: Anything and everything! Successful supplies, that have been used in past years, include: Legos, popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, Pringle cans, toilet paper or paper towel rolls, shoe boxes (for attached houses), oatmeal boxes, tag board, small water bottles, or whatever their imagination comes up with.
Q: How big can my lighthouse model and poster be?
A: The base of the lighthouse model must be less than 19 x 22 inches in order to be displayed in the library.
A: The poster should be NO BIGGER THAN a regular poster board size (22in x 28in) Please do not use a tri-fold science board, those are TOO BIG!
Q: When and where do I make my lighthouse model?
A: You can start on your lighthouse model right now! This is a student led at home project, so most of the construction of your lighthouse will be at your home. However, after school on specific days of the week, 4th grade teachers will offer work time if you need help and/or materials. Just make sure you contact your teacher before the day that you would like help so he/she can plan for it.
Q:Where can I find information about my lighthouse?
A: Click HERE to see a google map of all the lighthouses.
Q: I have more questions. Who do I ask?
A: If you have any more questions, contact your 4th grade teacher.
A: The lighthouse project is a longstanding tradition for our fourth grade students here at Hiawatha. Students draw the name of a Michigan lighthouse. They then research more about it and build a model of and research it.
Q: When is the Lighthouse Project due?
A: The lighthouse project is due Tuesday, April 25th
Q: What does the project consist of?
A: There are two parts to the Lighthouse Project. Part 1 is building a model. You will make a realistic model of your lighthouse trying to match the shapes, colors, architectural features, and physical environment of your Michigan lighthouse. Part 2 is making a poster which will include a picture of your lighthouse, research on the purpose, location, environment, description, function, and history of your Michigan lighthouse.
Q: What can I use to build my lighthouse model?
A: Anything and everything! Successful supplies, that have been used in past years, include: Legos, popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, Pringle cans, toilet paper or paper towel rolls, shoe boxes (for attached houses), oatmeal boxes, tag board, small water bottles, or whatever their imagination comes up with.
Q: How big can my lighthouse model and poster be?
A: The base of the lighthouse model must be less than 19 x 22 inches in order to be displayed in the library.
A: The poster should be NO BIGGER THAN a regular poster board size (22in x 28in) Please do not use a tri-fold science board, those are TOO BIG!
Q: When and where do I make my lighthouse model?
A: You can start on your lighthouse model right now! This is a student led at home project, so most of the construction of your lighthouse will be at your home. However, after school on specific days of the week, 4th grade teachers will offer work time if you need help and/or materials. Just make sure you contact your teacher before the day that you would like help so he/she can plan for it.
Q:Where can I find information about my lighthouse?
A: Click HERE to see a google map of all the lighthouses.
Q: I have more questions. Who do I ask?
A: If you have any more questions, contact your 4th grade teacher.
My Michigan Lighthouse
Mr. C.'s Class
Daniel - Pipe Island Jonah - Peche Island Aneesh - Port Austin Reef Zac - Sand Point (Escanaba) Lana - Presque Isle (Old) Leon - St. Helena Island Jessica - Six Mile Point Range Rear Saeah - Minneapolis Shoal Ryan - Petoskey Pierhead Kadince - White River Cameron - South Manitou Island Josh - Whitefish Point Jackson - Round Island Joey - St. Clair Flats Canal Range Neera - Manistee North Pierhead D.J. - White Shoal Victoria - Martin Reef Ainsley - Robert H. Manning Memorial Olivia - Pointe Aux Barques Laura - Muskegon South Pierhead Riley - Mendota (Bette Grise) Yiming - St. Joseph Pier Sifan - South Fox Island |
POSTER requirements & RUBRIC
REQUIREMENTS
RUBRIC:
[60 points] contains all the above information
[10 points] realistic COLOR picture of your lighthouse included
[10 points] conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization)
[10 points] Effort. Neatness. Completion.
[10 points] turned in on time by Tuesday, April 25th
----------------
100 Total Points
Remember: Be creative! Be original! Be unique!
- Purpose
- Why do we have lighthouses?
- Why was your lighthouse built?
- Location
- marked on a Michigan map
- exact location - latitude / longitude
- relative location - nearest city or cities (use cardinal directions)
- travel distance / time from Hiawatha
- Environment
- physical characteristics - landforms
- climate
- Description
- color
- construction materials
- size
- special features
- Function
- type of lens
- What is the warning light used for?
- History of Your Lighthouse
- What year was it built in?
- Who was the architect / construction company? Who built it?
- How many years was / has it been in use? Is it still working?
RUBRIC:
[60 points] contains all the above information
[10 points] realistic COLOR picture of your lighthouse included
[10 points] conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization)
[10 points] Effort. Neatness. Completion.
[10 points] turned in on time by Tuesday, April 25th
----------------
100 Total Points
Remember: Be creative! Be original! Be unique!
model requirements & RUBRIC
REQUIREMENTS
Your model lighthouse should match the real version including...
- color (helpful hint: If using Legos, they have to be the correct color)
- doors and windows
- material (ex: wood should look like wood, brick should look like brick, etc.)
Your lighthouse should include the following lighthouse features...
- a lens (helpful hint: water bottles make great lenses)
- a light (optional)
The area around the lighthouse should include...
- environment (rocks, beaches, trees, grass, etc.)
- water (helpful hint: if your lighthouse is in the water, your model should be resting on something that looks like water)
- a base no larger than 19" x 22" inches (helpful hint: they can be smaller)
A good starting point for this project is the following website: http://www.lighthousefriends.com/pull-state.asp?state=MI
RUBRIC:
[20 points] looks like the real version including color, windows/doors, and building material
[20 points] includes a lens (light is optional)
[20 points] surrounding environment is accurate and no bigger than 19 x 22 inches
[20 points] Effort. Neatness. Completion.
[20 points] turned in on time by Tuesday, April 25th
----------------
100 Total Points
Remember: Be creative! Be original! Be unique!
Your model lighthouse should match the real version including...
- color (helpful hint: If using Legos, they have to be the correct color)
- doors and windows
- material (ex: wood should look like wood, brick should look like brick, etc.)
Your lighthouse should include the following lighthouse features...
- a lens (helpful hint: water bottles make great lenses)
- a light (optional)
The area around the lighthouse should include...
- environment (rocks, beaches, trees, grass, etc.)
- water (helpful hint: if your lighthouse is in the water, your model should be resting on something that looks like water)
- a base no larger than 19" x 22" inches (helpful hint: they can be smaller)
A good starting point for this project is the following website: http://www.lighthousefriends.com/pull-state.asp?state=MI
RUBRIC:
[20 points] looks like the real version including color, windows/doors, and building material
[20 points] includes a lens (light is optional)
[20 points] surrounding environment is accurate and no bigger than 19 x 22 inches
[20 points] Effort. Neatness. Completion.
[20 points] turned in on time by Tuesday, April 25th
----------------
100 Total Points
Remember: Be creative! Be original! Be unique!
EXAMPLES FROM PREVIOUS 4TH GRADERS
Mr. C.'s 4th Grade Report on Michigan Lighthouses (1998-1999)
Mr. C. didn't go to Hiawatha, but he did do a lighthouse project in 4th grade! At his school, Siebert Elementary in Midland, Michigan, his 4th grade class had to do a big project on something related to Michigan. Mr. C. chose lighthouses! How funny is that?!