GALLATIN GATEWAY SCHOOL
PO BOX 265, GALLATIN GATEWAY, MT 59730
February 11, 2013
Dear Fourth-Grade Families:
We have a very exciting project ahead of us -- the annual 4th grade Unwaxed Museum
report and presentation. This is the first detailed research project students at Gallatin
Gateway School complete. Students are introduced to the methods of finding
information, from both print and online references. Students will learn to make an
outline, take notes, write a rough draft, revise and proofread their work. This is a big
learning leap for 4th graders, but as you can see by the following timeline for the project,
Ms. Davis and Mrs. Axtman will be assisting each student along the way. We encourage
you to talk to your child about the research and writing process and have continuous
conversations with them at home on their progress.
This packet should answer questions parents may have in regards to how the fourth-grade
Unwaxed Museum projects need to be organized and presented, and how your family is
an integral part to the success of this learning endeavor.
In class: The fourth graders are learning about research. They are finding topics, taking
notes, making an outline, and using the editing process to create a final product. The
students are learning how to write clearly articulated paragraphs with a topic sentence,
main idea, supporting details, and a conclusion. Following the process of Step-Up-ToWriting, students write rough drafts in class which may be sent home for evaluation.
At home: Home assignments for the Unwaxed Museum include some editing, possible
typing, costume, and presentation design. Please assist your child in deciding on final
presentation ideas. Fill out and return the Student Entry Form to Mrs. Axtman by
February 13, 2013. Your child’s final project can be set up at the school gym after
school on May 1 ready for the Unwaxed Museum on May 2. Times will be confirmed
and sent home in an invitation.
If you have questions or need help with any steps of the process, please contact Ms. Davis
or Mrs. Axtman.
On May 2, the researchers will present their projects to the community and other school
children. Each participant will interact with judges during this time using the criteria
referenced on the attached Unwaxed Museum Rubric. Thank you.
How to Contact Mrs. Axtman or Ms. Davis
Email: axtman@gallatingatewayschool.com or davis@gallatingatewayschool.com
Gallatin Gateway Student Entry Form for the
Fourth Grade Annual Unwaxed Museum Research
Project
Return by February 13, 2013 to Mrs. Axtman
Complete Title of Person________________________________________________
Brief description of your ideas for this research project:
Places I can look for research:______________________________________________
Prop Ideas:____________________________________________________________
Backdrop Ideas:_______________________________________________________
Costume Ideas:________________________________________________________
Printed name of participant_____________________________________________
We have read and understand the information in this packet for the Unwaxed Museum project.
____________________________
Parent signature
____________________________
Student Signature
____________________________
Date
_______________________________________
Parent email
4th Grade
Annual Unwaxed Museum Research Project Timeline
Timeline for receiving points for this long-range project – Points awarded for each step
Dates
Portion of project due
Points
Feb. 13
Person Chosen: Student entry form completed and signed by Feb. 13
10
Feb. 18
Build outline with Ms. Davis
10
Feb. 18-22
Research and individual student work on notes
20
Mar. 1
Outline, Research Notes, and Written Bibliography Due
20
Mar. 4-29
Handwritten Draft & Editing (Written Final Due: April 1)
20
April 1-5
Type Final Draft: Due April 8 (Flash Drive Needed)
April 12
Final typed draft, Title Page and Bibliography due
40
Practice Speech Presentation in class
20
(Rubric)
April 15-19
(Participation)
Design costume/backdrops, etc. at home with family help
April 22-26
Dress Rehearsals
20
(Participation)
May 1
Parents and students may bring backdrops and displays to gym
(after school)
May 2
Final Presentation --- Invitations will be sent home with times
30
(Rubric)
TOTAL ________/200 points
PERCENTAGE __________
LETTER GRADE _________

Students will receive a deduction of 10% each day an assignment is late!
The Final Product - What To Expect
Title Page & Presentation Sign:

Name of famous person

The time period they were alive (date of birth - date of death)

Student’s full name

Region famous person is identified with in the United States
Report (1 paragraph each 5-7 sentences):
 Introduction with topic sentence
 Childhood
 Education and Career
 Accomplishments
 End of Life (May Not Apply)
 Conclusion
Visuals
 Photograph, drawing or painting of your famous person
 Image or prop relating to why they are famous
 Costume representing yourself as this famous person
 Backdrop
 You may include: maps, guides, extra photos/images, or props
Presentation
 Each student will read their report to the audience
 Following all presentations students will pose for the Unwaxed
Museum
 Students and community of Gallatin Gateway School will drop
donations into the “machine” of a famous person (4 th grader). The
donation will turn the student on like a machine; the student will give
their name and an important fact to the person paying.
 Donations will be given to the library.
List of historical and scientific figures in the US
Abraham Lincoln
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Jackson
Amelia Earhart
Annie Oakley
Ben Franklin
Bill Cody
Buffalo Bill (Cody)
Calamity Jane
Carol Heiss- Olympic figure skater
Clara Barton – nurse
Chief Joseph
Daniel Boone
Davy Crockett
Dr. Jonas Salk
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eli Whitney
Elizabeth Blackwell – first woman doctor in U.S.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frederick Douglass
George Washington
George Washington Carver
Gertrude Belle Elion – chemist
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Tubman
Henry Ford
Houdini
James Madison
Jane Goodall
Jeannette Rankin
Jim Bridger
Jim Thorpe
John F. Kennedy
John Adams
John Deere
John Muir
Kit Carson
Langston Hughes
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Levi Strauss
Madeleine Albert
Maria Mitchell – astronomer
Martin Luther King Jr.
Meriwether Lewis
Orville Wright
Robert Ballard
Robert Frost
Rosa Parks
Sacajawea
Sally Ride – first woman astronaut
Samuel Longhorn Clemens (Mark Twain)
Sitting Bull
Sojourner Truth
Susan B. Anthony
Sylvia Earl
Theodore Roosevelt
Thomas Bradley
Thomas Edison
Thomas Jefferson
Thurgood Marshall
W.E.B. Du Bois
William Clark
York