Classroom Kitchen/Catering

Assignment VII

Part A:

Our idea includes each catering group receiving their own country to create a menu and plan party for. They will use their pen pals as first hand sources and also do their own research to find out the foods and traditions for eating in that country.

Since our students will be middle schoolers, we think it will be appropriate for them to converse with other students in the same age range and/or at the same point in their education. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about other aspects of life that are present in foreign countries other than what they eat. This will give students the opportunity to relate to children their own age that live in other parts of the world.

The different culture party will only be one part of our “Big Project”, but students will be required to start writing with their pen pals from the very beginning of the project. Most students will get a lot of the information they need from their penpals right away, but others will have questions/conflicts they run into later, including communication problems. The earlier we start communicating with our penpals, the more time we will have to work out the problems that are sure to pop up.

There are also a couple of things students will need to know so that they can design a menu and party that fits the cultures standards. In return, they will share what their penpals want to know about American life, unless we find a teacher who is doing a similar project. Below are the things students should keep in mind while interviewing their pen pals:

a) Their party foods- what they eat that is special but also what they eat every day.

b) How big/small their parties get, who is invited, who is important, etc.

c) Party traditions- songs, games, decorations, etc

Once all of the information is gathered the students will use what they have learned from their pen pals to plan and put together a party. Students  will pick the occasion, location, and theme of the party. They will create a menu and they will also choose the decorations. All of this must be backed up by their first hand source- their pen pal. They will give a presentation explaining how their party and menu fits the culture and then use their pen pal notes and research as documentation. The presentation must include the creation of a digital story.