St. Martin’s Day’s Fair

Name of the project : St. Martin’s Day’s Fair

Subjects: Mathematics, Estonian, Art, PE, Music, Crafts and Handwork

Supervising teachers: Tiina Grauberg, Katrin Tiirik, Ruth Kerov, Silva Torm

School: Kohtla Basic School

Short description of the success story:

Kohtla Basic School students from years 1-4 decided to participate in organising a St. Martin’s Day’s fair which was held in the frames of a Family Day dedicated to Fathers’ Day. Fair was organised for the whole community.

1. Aim of the project

Involve different support groups in school’s activities and develop children’s imagination and independence in organising events.

1. Activities

Activity 1 (Preparations for the fair)

Students’ activities: brainstorming for ideas, finding and creating recipes

Teachers’ activities: listening to students’ ideas, supervising, guiding

Results: A decision was made to bake sweets and cakes based on recipes chosen

Activity 2 (Preparations for baking)

Students’ activities: negotiating with parents, buying ingredients, baking calculating and setting prices, making advertising posters

Teachers’ activities: help when needed in baking and making posters

Results: posters and baked goods.

Activity 3(Fair)

Students’ activities: preparing their stalls, selling baked goods and cleaning their stall after fair

Teacher’s activities: supervising and guiding when needed

Results: successful fair which was pleasing for both organisers and guests

Activity 4 ( games played with visitors of the fair)

Students’ activities: teaching games and participating in them

Teachers’ activities: assisting and helping students

Results: enjoyable and fun “after party” with games and songs

3. Curricular links

1. Subject: mathematics

Implemented knowledge and skills: measuring ingredients, calculations while selling

2. Subject: Estonian

Implemented knowledge and skills: spelling on posters and price tags

3. Subject: Art

Implemented knowledge and skills: designing posters and price tags

4.Subject: PE

Implemented knowledge and skills: teaching games

5. Subject: Music

Implemented knowledge and skills: teaching games

6. Subject Crafts and hand work 

Implemented knowledge and skills: baking and making sweets, learning about different professions and ways of making money

4. Links to real life and the world of work

In brainstorming everyone got to speak their mind and together the choices were made about which ideas to use. Choosing recipes and making sweets was everyone’s own responsibility. A kitchen had to be shared and students helped and taught each other. Teaching games was made 4^th year students responsibility as they were the oldest. Together the fair area was cleaned up in the end.

As it was not the first time to organise a fair everyone knew they were responsible for their actions and no one wanted to let down classmates. Students had a chance to take different roles – a baker, artist, shop assistant, cleaner. This way they could experience different occupations and realise their importance. Also they realised how powerful they are when they act together and succeed.

Taking different roles helped students realise how much preparation and care it takes to prepare things that are paid real money.

Students were active in expressing their thoughts since they remembered last year’s success. They were not afraid to show results of their work to other community members.

First positive feedback came already at the fair when all the baked goods were sold but buyers were demanding more. Later at school students pointed out the importance of money and the fact that it was not so easy to earn it – it takes time and work. Children thought the event was enjoyable and gave them new experience, courage, and ability to be more enterprising also in the future. They are willing to organise more and to participate also in the future.

5. Partners involved

1. Kohtla - Nõmme Parish Culture Committee – organising Family Day

2.Kohtla- Nõmme Culture House – rooms and equipment

3.Parents – helped children with their advice in buying ingredients