Fourth Grade Colonial Craftsmen Fair

Barnesville fourth graders wrapped up their study of early American history with a “Colonial Craftsmen Fair” showcasing common professions from the time. Each student wrote a three-page research paper and presented a corresponding PowerPoint detailing a specific trade.
Students researched the requirements (tools, materials, and training) for an assigned profession or craft as well as the purpose it served in the colonies. In stark contrast to their digital presentations, students wore costumes reflecting how someone in their profession might have dressed.
“This project foreshadows the impact of the Industrial Revolution,” said Fourth Grade Teacher Ms. Harabatch (Ms. Z). “We talked about how some of the most important professions for daily life then -- like potter, blacksmith, soap maker, and silversmith -- are now primarily artisan vocations,”
After their presentations, students stepped back into the role of children, playing games like ring toss, jacks, marbles, Jacob’s Ladder, and Hot Potato.
Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences is an independent private school in Montgomery County, Maryland offering innovative preschool through 8th grade programs. Cross-curricular teaching encourages students to explore how subjects relate to one another, helping them to make connections that spark inquiry and deepen understanding. Small classes enable skilled teachers to engage each child in an academically challenging environment. Our 30-acre campus is our extended classroom, and we integrate nature into everyday learning.