On the second day of term, our Form 1 children enjoyed a morning filled with educational experiences that tantalised their taste buds, sparked their creativity, and broadened their cultural horizons. Their 'Italy' Wow Morning combined a carousel of hands-on activities with historical insights and language learning, providing a memorable and enriching experience for the children before they learn more about this fascinating country throughout the term.
We made pizzas and boxes for them and also designed our own logos for the boxes. I chose pepperoni as my topping! We kneaded the dough with our hands and made everything from scratch.
A big hit was the pizza-making workshop, where the children learned the art of kneading dough. With flour-dusted hands, they discovered the importance of patience and technique in achieving the perfect pizza base. They topped their creations with a variety of fresh ingredients, with a bit of adult guidance.
My second day at St John's was great! I made and ate pizza! What a good start to school. I really hope our Italian penpals write back.
The children also delved into the fascinating history of Venetian masks. They were captivated by the stories of the masks' origins, dating back to the Carnevale di Venezia, and how they were used to conceal identities during grand celebrations. The children then had the opportunity to design and decorate their own masks, expressing their individuality and creativity.
Language learning was also a key part of their Wow Morning. Using Google Translate, Form 1 learned simple Italian phrases such as "Ciao," "Grazie," and "Come stai?" They practiced their newfound language skills with enthusiasm and wrote postcards in Italian to their penpals.
We designed and made Venetian masks. I painted on the eyes and lips and made a fan, as well as added feathers which I painted gold on the edges. We learnt so much history in one day! We also started learning about the geography of Venice within Italy.