Homeschool Geography/History Fair

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Collingdale Christian Family School

814 Andrews Avenue
Collingdale, PA

This is a fun time for homeschooled children to showcase their knowledge of a geographical region or era in history without the pressure of being judged for their work.  It is also an easy way to teach children presentation skills in an area they are enthused and excited about.  All participants will receive a participation certificate, and students traveling through the exhibits will receive passports.  Some guidelines follow:

• Fair set-up will begin at 9:15 a.m., with the fair opening at 10:00 a.m.  The fair will end at 11:30 a.m., and clean-up must be done by noon.

• Decide if your exhibit needs a full 2.5' x 6' table or half that size.  Tables will be provided.  Tables will need to be covered with a cloth.

• A tri-fold board is needed to stand in the back of your exhibit, labeled with the title of your exhibit (geographical region or historical period).  Anything else you decide to display---pictures, charts, fact pages--can go here, as well as on the table.  A map of your region is also good for display.

• Have a rubber stamp and ink pad or stickers available to mark in each student's "passport" as he/she visits your exhibit.  The stamp should have something to do with the region/era you're presenting, e.g., an eagle to represent the United States, the Irish flag for Ireland, etc.

• You may include samples of food to represent your region/era, but this is not necessary.  We used Goldfish crackers one year for our presentation of Japan, and this was a big hit with visitors.  Remember to keep it small and simple.

• You can hang things from ceiling tiles, play music, do cultural dances, etc.  Children love to dress up in costume, and this is recommended but not required.

• Someone must be at the exhibit at all times---whether it's a parent, sibling or friend who has worked on the project.  Know your material and be ready to explain what your visitors are seeing.

You can do as much or as little as you wish.  Some students use art projects they have made, some concentrate on posters, some build models of things to represent their region/era.  Dolls and artifacts are nice to display, but please don't use something that will devastate you if it is broken or ruined.  This is a very hands-on fair, and children like to touch and taste.  Have fun and enjoy!

Please contact Pat Burns by email at pat.burns@rcn.com <mailto:pat.burns@rcn.com> or by phone at 610-626-4846 if you have a question, or to reserve a table.