Sheila Rogers Uggetti Governing Board President | Gilbert Public Schools District
Sheila Rogers Uggetti Governing Board President | Gilbert Public Schools District
6th-grade students at Islands Elementary School recently embarked on a global exploration within their own cafeteria. On December 19, 2024, the school hosted its Small Worlds Fair, an event designed to enhance understanding of global diversity. Each student researched a specific country, delving into its history, cities, and customs. They then prepared presentations to share with peers, younger students, and visitors from other schools.
At the fair, student booths served as informative displays about their chosen countries. Each booth included brochures with images of landmarks and facts. For three hours, students presented their research to visitors. Some even offered 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.
The Small Worlds Fair required extensive research, fostering in-depth skills by encouraging students to explore diverse sources beyond basic internet searches. It also provides an 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 future challenges, visit GilbertSchools.net/Teaching-Learning/Curriculum.