Last week, First Graders at All Saints hosted their very own Waffle Inn! This milestone project involves the coordination and running of a restaurant specializing in waffles with all the fixings! A learning space is transformed into a waffle restaurant for the day. To kick off the project, students apply for jobs. During the interview process, they must persuade the managers (their teachers) that they possess the skills necessary to handle the job of a chef, server, host or cashier. After a carefully-designed marketing campaign and training for their new positions, the restaurant opens and all are treated to “waffles with the works.” Even parents get to enjoy the fun by helping out at the restaurant. In appreciation for the delicious waffle and excellent service, customers are encouraged to bring a $1 tip. All of the money collected is donated to organizations that help animals, “Waffles for Wildlife.”
This year’s event took place in the Imagination Station at the Saint Nicholas Center. First Graders hosted students in Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and Kindergarten, as well as their parents. In addition to learning how to do their job responsibilities, students researched an endangered animal and created slides with facts about their animals. These slides were printed on the back of the menus and served as a way for the class to teach others what they learned. The slides were also turned into a digital book for students in Pre-K3 to Grade 4 to enjoy. The event concluded with the First Graders sitting down to enjoy a staff meal together. They definitely earned it! This year we raised $175.00 for the Zoological Society of New Jersey. We will bring our donation when we visit the Turtle Back Zoo in May.
This project provides authentic opportunities for students to be effective communicators as they work together to run a restaurant. As they research facts about specific endangered animals, they become more knowledgeable, as well. These are two important learner profile traits, which are part of our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.
