Kelowna, BC - Aberdeen Hall’s Grade 3 students didn’t let any pandemic related restrictions stop them from participating in one of the school’s much loved holiday traditions, The Grade 3 Winter Market. Every year, students get together with a group of their peers and work diligently to produce handmade artisanal products for the holiday season which they sell at the fair, raising funds for a local charity.

This year marks the event’s 4th anniversary and while traditionally the Grade 3 classes would host parents, teachers, and students in their classrooms and sell their handcrafted items face to face, this year, they took their products online.

“Academically it’s a cross-curricular unit that allows students to apply what they’re learning in all subjects and directly links to the BC curriculum core competencies,” says Aberdeen Hall Grade 3 Teacher, Liz Everett.

In years past this would have included students engaging with their foundational literacy and numeracy skills as well as the arts and career education components of the curriculum. This year’s digital event had them tapping into what they’ve learned in Applied Design, Skills, and Technologies as well.

The students created a website that featured the products and pricing information and filmed commercials to promote the event. The virtual fair was also advertised in the school’s weekly newsletters to parents and on their social media channels.

Examples of some of the products available for purchase included tea light holders, felt pouches, holiday cards, and ornaments, pottery, calendars, etc.

“It’s wonderful to see the kids working so hard and applying everything they’ve been learning in school to help the community,” says Liz Everett. “I think we’ll keep the digital component moving forward as it was so well received by the children and parents and really allowed us to expand our perspective audience.”

When asked what she enjoyed most about participating in this project, Grade 3 student Ruth Cutler said, “seeing the joy on other people’s faces as they are making their crafts and raising money to support local charities.”

In total, the students raised $1200 which they will be donating to the Central Okanagan Food Bank to help support covid relief.

About Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School
Aberdeen Hall is a non-profit, co-educational and non-denominational independent university preparatory school offering classes from Preschool and Kindergarten through Grade 12. Aberdeen Hall fosters academic excellence in a progressive school environment that is safe and caring. Our school in Kelowna offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities and supports a strong sense of community.

For more information please contact:
Kylee Wilson, Admissions and Development Coordinator, Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School
[email protected] / 250 491 1270