Part 2: 3D Printers and Pizza Tuesday: After an action-packed first day, the middle students visiting this week from Koka City, Japan were anxious to head back to school for day two. Both chaperones, Eiko Yamanaka and Masashi Kitabayashi, spent the morning at West Middle School. They began with a presentation of an official letter to principal Pam Afieri from the superintendent of Koka City Schools and a discussion of thinking dispositions, artful thinking, habits of mind, funding, etc. The chaperones toured West Middle School with exchange coordinator, Rebecca Walters, and were able to spend time observing an orchestra class, choir class, the 3D printer in the art department, multiple mathematics classes utilizing smart boards and TI calculators, a science class, two special education classes, the theater, a physical education class, discussions in the library and lunch in the cafeteria. Exchange students attended 1st-4th hour classes with their host students. After lunch, exchange students, chaperones, and coordinators met at The Filling Station for an afternoon of pizza making. The family-owned business is housed in the historic depot district in downtown Traverse City. The establishment served as the train station for passenger trains of years past. Co-owner, Todd Klepper gave the students an opportunity to roll out homemade pizza dough and top it with a wide selection of toppings. He explained how the wood-fire pizza oven operates and at what temperature/time the pizza cooks. Pizza, a dish that is slowly gaining popularity in Japan, was a big hit with the exchange students! The afternoon ended with each exchange student receiving a gift of a t-shirt. Thank you to the Klepper family for providing a unique and tasty experience! Later, interim superintendent Soma and Japanese officials dined at Apache Trout Grill. Mr. Soma presented a letter for them to take back to their superintendent as well as local gifts. About the author: Rebecca Walters is a district educator and is middle school Japanese Exchange Coordinator for West Middle School.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 21:41:25 +0000
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