GOAL Getters Craft Fair Fundraiser

I am so excited to share photos from the Claxton Holiday Craft Fair which was a huge success! Our kids made button bracelets, magnets, and scarves to raise money to sponsor children's education in developing countries.

 This educational project is part of our year-long Social Studies initiative called GOAL Getters (Global Opportunities, Awareness, and Leadership). The aim of GOAL Getters is to integrate Global Citizenship education throughout as much of the core curriculum as possible.

Students learn about global issues and then set goals to take action and help. Our main classroom goal this year is to sponsor a year of education for a girl in rural Nepal. As 21st century learners, it is important for our kiddos to be exposed to other cultures, service opportunities, and social responsibility at a young age.

These experiences help shape them into the wonderful future leaders that our world needs. The purpose of the craft fair fundraiser was to teach our kids that we can use our talents (in this case, making crafts) to help make a difference in the world.

My class teamed up with Ms. Adams's class to sell our crafts and I am beyond proud to announce that together we raised $350 for girls' education!

Now you may be wondering: Why girls? Why aren't we sponsoring boys and girls? Well, the answer is simple, and one that our kids agree with: girls in developing countries are not given the same educational opportunities as boys, so as global citizens we should help close this gender gap.*

In our classes we are learning about the differences between our culture and other cultures. Education in developing countries is not free and it is not covered through taxes. Therefore, families have to find money on their own if they want to send their children to school. If families do have money to send their children to school, they are more likely to send their sons instead of daughters. This cycle deprives girls of the opportunity to learn to read and write, which in turn leads to a lack of job opportunities later in life, and a wide range of other issues.

It is obvious that putting a girl in school changes her entire life trajectory, and it's incredible that our 2nd graders in Asheville can change the lives of kids on the other side of the world! *Learn more facts about girls' education, here!

I am so proud of all of our students for working so hard on these crafts! They love knowing that they are making a difference. :) And most importantly, thank you SO much to all of the parents who contributed to the craft fair fundraiser; from buying the materials, to volunteering in the classroom and the day of the fair-- none of this would've been possible with you! :) Enjoy the pics!

Making the crafts: 

The craft fair: 

Huge thank you to all the Claxton families for being so supportive of our initiative!