RESEARCH BEFORE ACTION

Chilmark’s 4th and 5th graders annually conduct an October Fair on the last Friday before Halloween. This fair gives students an opportunity to raise money for various charities.  Over the years students have raised money for UNICEF, New Orleans Hurricane victims, Atiak and the organization Water For South Sudan.

Long before the fair happens these students are responsible for researching what and who the organization they are raising money for is, and how this organization helps its recipients.

Once they complete their research, they present what they have learned to the rest of the school community. They teach the younger students about the organization and how just even small amounts of money can make a big difference.

After the 4th and 5th graders share what they’ve learned with the school community, they give students the the opportunity to contribute to their organization by using small containers for donations while they Trick-Or-Treat. 

In culmination of students’ research and fundraising efforts, the Chilmark Community and various guests are invited to the annual October Fair.  Students’ research and the games they created, including a Haunted House, are featured at the fair.

The last step of this project is for the 4/5 class to count all the money raised by their efforts. In this process, they practice math concepts such as counting money, decimal addition, and making estimates.

OCTOBER FAIR