Just before beginning their spring break vacation Friday afternoon, March 12, students at Northwest Jackson Middle School had the opportunity to go around the world without leaving the comfort of their school.
Today, March 14, the students spanned the globe through a major cultural fair. The school’s gymnasium was transformed into a global museum with a sea of student-made, research projects of various countries on display.
In his research, eight-grader Matthais Wilson discovered a Dutch hip-hop artist, whose music he found to be “cool.” Matthais had the music playing as people viewed his project.
Eighth-grader Danielle Gaines did her project on Sweden. “I chose Sweden because it is known for dance, and I like to dance,” Danielle said. “Plus my dad was in the military years ago and he talked about Sweden.”
Danielle’s included actual, prepared dishes that are native to Sweden. In addition to the written material, her display included Swedish potato salad, sausages, cake and punch. When asked whether she prepared the dishes herself, she told The Mississippi Link that her mother did. “But I did make the punch,” she said.
Sixth-grader Derrick McRee explained that a coworker of his mother is from England, and she (the coworker) often talk about her homeland. “I chose to do my project on England because Ms. Eve would tell me a lot about it, and it sounds interesting,” Derrick said. He said he learned that squash casserole is a favorite in England. I learn a whole lot of other things, too, but I can think of all of them right now,” he told The Mississippi Link.
The students were not the only ones who got caught up in this international learning experience. Some of the teachers even dressed the parts. It was history teacher Terrilyn Tate, dressed as Nubian Queen Cleopatra, who served as the tour guide for this reporter. “Oh, I hope to one day visit Egypt,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed my studies on the country. That is why I am dressed like Cleopatra.”
According to school officials, the Northwest Middle School Cultural Fair is an annual event that ties in with the International Baccalaureate Middle Years program at the school. The students must have an understanding of their own culture and the culture of another country.
They selected a country, researched the country, present some of its foods, dress up in its native attire, and stand near their presentations to answer judges’ questions about their chosen county. They are judged on presentation and knowledge of their chosen country. Every student in the school participates.
Northwest Jackson Middle School is located at 7020 Hwy 49 North.
SPECIAL NOTE: March 15-19, 2010 is Spring Break. All JPS schools and offices will be closed. Regular schedules for students and staff resume Monday, March 22.
Be the first to comment