Project Fair 2019 Grade 6
The Project Fair is a tradition at PEAI that has stood the test of time. Our building is different than the one a decade ago, our texts have been updated, and there are quite a few new faces in the classrooms. Still, the Project Fair remains, a thread that has been woven into the fabric of culture at PEAI. Once a year, during spring, a gradual transformation begins as the Project Fair spreads its roots throughout the academy. The hallways bloom with visual aids and advertisements. Classrooms buzz with nervous energy. Students flitter to and fro carefully transporting their creations. The academy feels alive.
This year, the sixth grade Project Fair task was titled Deepest // Darkest.
What is it that scares you? What are your deepest, darkest fears? Fears unite all of us regardless of our age, race, or gender. And by sharing them, we develop a clearer understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Through the Deepest // Darkest Project, you will explore one of your fears and trace its existence in literature through quote analysis.
Deepest // Darkest was firmly grounded in literature. This was a departure from previous years in which the tasks were loosely connected with curriculum. I really liked the idea of the project being oriented as language appreciation. Words and phrasing can be really powerful, especially when they evoke feelings of fear.
This year, there are approximately 40 teams entered into the Project Fair in sixth grade.
Students were scored according to a rubric. I categorized grades into tiers to make them more meaningful. I find holistic grading more effective for creative works as it is more difficult to quantitatively assess them.
Score Breakdown
I also want to acknowledge team and individual excellence beyond holistic grades. There are some aspects of these presentations that just cannot be measured through traditional assessment. Emotion plays a significant role in the effectiveness of these presentations (I mean it is about our fears after all) and that’s challenging to assess. After much deliberation, these are the awards that will be handed out next week.
Orator Award (4, individual). For speakers with outstanding verbal, vocal, and visual presentation.
Humor Award (2, individual). For speakers who made us smile.
Creativity Award (2, team). For teams who surprised us and made unconventional choices.
Analysis Award (2, team). For teams who showed a talent for breaking down a quote.
Best in Show (2, team). For teams who showcased a truly outstanding work.
Project Fair season is unlike any other time at PEAI. It brings about a particular stress. The type of stress that keeps you burning the midnight oil. And incessantly tweaking an already complete script. And constantly second-guessing your decisions. And for some, bringing out their best.
Stray thoughts,
Teams with a strong central theme found the most success. It provided creative guidance and cohered a rather complex set of dialogue.
“One, two, three, POOF.”
“Katniss. Where are you?”
Teams with good chemistry shined. They helped bring out the best in one another.
Kudos to Seohyun Ji for taking on the challenge of presenting independently.
The use of dry ice was one of the most clever visuals aids I’ve seen in a very long time.
Scene changes were sometimes difficult to follow. A sudden change in place, time, and character must be properly contextualized for the audience to follow along.
“Humans and their cute little emotions.”
-Brenden Lee