Lesson#42 Geography Fair 2013- China Exhibit

I can't even begin to say how proud of Evie I was while she was working on this project. I will admit that the thought of doing the Good Luck Parade Dragon is what sealed the deal in making her choose China as her country of study. Since she is so self motivated and driven to do well at whatever task she takes on, I just gave her full rein of her project. I told her to obviously learn a little bit about their government, geography of the land, population, ect. but that everything else was up to her. She was to study things she wanted to learn! What a difference that makes. She did ALL her own research, typing, organizing, making, preparing, everything for her project, minus the dragon, which we did as a family project. Evie and I made the body, and Mark and Evie made the head, I helped a little on the head. She used Corel Draw to help her organize her poster boards, so that everything was measured correctly before she printed it out, pretty amazing design actually. Her display was definitely enhanced by the sweet sharing of clothing and objects by a friend of ours. She shared things that she bought in China while there adopting her beautiful daughter.

The Fair itself was very impressive, these kids worked hard! I love homeschool gatherings, they are so positive in re-enforcing why we do what we do. Each family had food made to represent their country (we cheated and bought egg rolls and fortune cookies...it was a busy day!). The kids had beautiful intricate displays, wore costumes, and were very knowledgeable about their country of choice. We had a banquet type of setting with tables for families to eat together, and then there was an opportunity for any child who wanted too( ok, or forced by parents) to speak about their country. Evie didn't really want to speak, she said a line or two and then in our nuclear family way, Evie, her dad, Mark, and I made her dragon move around for the crowd. Evie was so happy her father had arrived from Californian the day before, he is obviously often absent from these kinds of things, and she is always excited to share these events with him when he is here.

Lastly to speak of, four children, in no particular order were given awards. Evie was one of them, she was so thrilled, not only were all of her Parents there, but all THREE sets of grandparents and a cousin too! She received a 15$ check, and a book from our local curriculum writers of  Geography Matters, the Wigger Family. Mostly she received some self confidence in her work. It isn't about winning, all the children did SUPERB, but being awarding something when all your family is there to cheer you on is always fantastic!