(l-r), Mrs. Bontrager joins a few sixth graders in cultural attire including Katie Houghton (Poland), Austin Anthis (Nigeria), Kaitlyn Vickery (Korea), Lizzie Trujillo (Russia), and William Washington (Jamaica).

At the 2nd Annual Westbury Christian School World Fair, 42 sixth grade students showcased 42 different countries from around the world.    Each showcase included colorful artifacts such as flags, maps, currency, and tourist brochures.  Students even dressed up in cultural attire and served local cuisine to the WCS student body and families of the sixth graders who toured the World Fair.  Each sixth grader had researched their country in-depth and excitedly shared their knowledge of their country with their fellow students and visitors. 

According to Mrs. Kyleen Bontrager, WCS Social Studies teacher, “Sixth grade Social Studies students learn about world history and world cultures during the course of the year.  The highlight of their learning experience is the World Fair.  This is a month long cumulative project that showcases the knowledge students have learned about a country of their choice.”  Mrs. Bontrager said the students gather information in a very professional process.  The first thing they do is write a letter to each country’s embassy requesting information.  This is very formal with school letter-head and students signing their names. 

Next, they get resources from the WCS and Houston public libraries to complete a tourist poster of the country.  This highlights the places to go and things to see in each country.  It also helps get students interested in their country as they begin more intense research.  The students then receive fact sheets that help organize research into sections of general information, cultural data, and economic data on their country.  This is the most important part of the project because it prepares them for the next two visual aids and for becoming an expert of their country during the World Fair. Students then complete a cultural and historical story-board which highlights six important aspects of cultural and important events in their country’s history.  Finally students complete a pictorial map of their country.  On this may they include geographical landmarks and economic products.

Then comes the World Fair!  According to Mrs. Bontrager, “It’s a great learning experience for the sixth graders.”

For more information contact Ann Arnold in the Admissions Office at 713-551-8100. Westbury Christian School is a private, non-profit, culturally diverse school offering unique educational opportunities for pre-k, elementary, middle and high school students. The accredited school is located at 10420 Hillcroft at Willowbend.

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Westbury Christian School
10420 Hillcroft
Houston, Texas 77096-9946
713-723-8377
713-551-8117 (fax)

• Greg J. Glenn, Executive Administrator
  gregjglenn@westburychristian.org
• Ann Arnold, Admissions: Grades 5-12
  admissions@westburychristian.org
• Sheila Kaldis, Admissions: Age 3 to Grade 4
  skaldis@westburychristian.org

Suggestions/Corrections:  ppollard@westburychristian.org     
Last update: March 07, 2007
Copyright © 2007 Westbury Christian School