Passports to Discovery: Islands Elementary Hosts Small Worlds Fair
Tristan Chavez
6th-grade students at Islands Elementary recently embarked on a global exploration, right in their own cafeteria. On Thursday, December 19th, 2024, the school hosted its Small Worlds Fair, a unique research project and event designed to foster a deeper understanding of global diversity. Each student meticulously researched a specific country, learning about its rich history, captivating cities, and unique customs. Students then prepared a series of presentations, where they shared their newfound knowledge with peers, younger students, and even visitors from other schools.
At the Small Worlds Fair, student booths served as informative displays about their chosen countries. Each booth featured well-researched brochures with images of important landmarks and interesting facts. For a total of three hours, students enthusiastically presented their research, sharing their knowledge with visitors. Some students even enhanced their presentations by offering traditional baked goods or candies from their countries.
"Events like the Small Worlds Fair are open to families and schools in our area, providing an opportunity for students to share their learning with a wider audience. This not only encourages student engagement and community involvement but also provides valuable learning experiences in social studies and cultural awareness,” said Rob Soper, a 6th-grade teacher at Islands Elementary. “Through the Small Worlds Fair, students discover that the world is much larger and more diverse than their own backyard."
"This was a really fun project to work on. In my research, I got to learn a lot about all of the different things about Peru and I even got to speak to the Peru Embassy. My uncle is from Peru so now I get to have deeper conversations with him about the country,” added Vivian Fay, a 6th-grade student at Islands Elementary.
By requiring extensive research, the Small Worlds Fair fostered in-depth research skills by encouraging students to explore diverse and credible sources beyond basic internet searches. Furthermore, the Small Worlds Fair provides an immersive and engaging platform for achieving 6th-grade global studies curriculum objectives. To learn more about how GPS's social studies curriculum fosters active citizenship and prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century, visit GilbertSchools.net/Teaching-Learning/Curriculum.