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Collegiate 2nd Graders Salute the Fifty Nifty

1/31/2020

The large headwear worn by Collegiate School 2nd Graders marching around the Upper and Middle Schools this morning could mean only one thing: The States Fair performance was happening in Oates Theater to celebrate the "Fifty Nifty" United States.

The annual States Fair serves as the culminating event to the 2nd Graders’ study of the U.S. The festively decorated hats, created at home with the help of parents, represent the state each student studies. During the stage performance the 2nd Graders sing, dance and display artwork about the Fifty Nifty states.

Second Grade teacher Kristin Jennison calls States Fair one of the traditional "roots" of Collegiate that brings together the community and provides a sense of belonging.

“Every year during rehearsal week, it's always fun to walk across campus to Oates Theater and hear the Middle and Upper Schoolers sing out ‘Fifty Nifty’ songs and/or share what their state was,” she said. “Alumni we run into are quick to share about their hat, a performance memory and how special they felt on that day.”

The multimodal project allows students to choose how they want to participate in the performance. Some are artists, dancers, singers or speakers. During the creation of their final project, students take on the role of “travel expert” and learn to upload video clips, pictures and hand-drawn art all onto a student-created website designed to sell their state.

“States Fair builds critical research skills that will serve these students for the rest of their academic lives,” Mrs. Jennison said. “They learn to collect, evaluate and synthesize information from various sources including books, maps, newspapers and websites.”

Over two days in March, students will have the opportunity to share the travel websites they created with family and friends in their classrooms.

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