Johnson-Brock, Nebraska – Sixth-grade students at Johnson–Brock Elementary School and education majors at Peru State participated in a Social Studies Fair, Wednesday, November 14, 2017. A reception for parents and students was held afterward.
The Fair is an annual event involving the education students from Education 326, Social Studies Methods, taught by Dr. Anthony Citrin, professor of education, at Peru State College. The Social Studies Methods students work with individual elementary students for approximately an eight-week period prior to the fair.
This year’s event involved thirty sixth-grade students and seventeen Peru State students. The College has been offering these fairs through the School of Education for over twenty-five years.
The prizes included trophies for first, second, third and fourth place. The best oral and best visual presentations also received silver medals.
A photo of the winners on November 14.
From left to right: Anna Lillenas (Best Visual); Eli Groth (Best Oral); Sloan Pelican (4th place); Chase VanWinkle (3rd Place); Maverick Piper (2nd Place); Lucy Hayes (1st Place).
Kiley Guerue, an education major, writes, “While working with the students from Johnson-Brock I was able to assist in the development of their projects from start to finish. As the students grew more comfortable with their topics they were able to understand how their topics influenced history and how we still learn from them today.”
“I challenged my students to make their presentations and visuals unique to them, and to set them apart from the rest of the class.” Guerue continues, “The students responded well to the challenge and as a result they put extra time and thought into their presentations.”
“This prepared me for being a teacher as I was able to see how well the students worked and what knowledge they learned while independently doing research.”
As part of the eight-week preparation for the fair, the sixth-grade students visit the Peru State campus. Each student is given a Peru State College library card and they check out books to help prepare their projects.
Dr. Citrin said, “This visit is something I really look forward to each year. The Johnson-Brock students always seem to enjoy the opportunity to use our library. They are extraordinarily well-behaved and they are very serious students.”
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