Peter's Class Project -

Every Grade 5 class at the school participates in an Exhibition - I think of it as a thesis before they graduate from primary school! This year's topic was: Find The Balance: together we can find the balance between earth and man and make the world a better place today, tomorrow and forever.

The purpose of the Exhibition is to gain skills, knowledge and attitudes to prepare for this transdicisiplinary unit. Kids invite guest speakers to talk about local issues that connect to world issues; write their central idea; choose topics based on personal interest; gather research; summarize the research, make conclusions and prepare for their presentations; share their learnings with others; reflect and take action!

Peter worked with two other classmates - Jurgen and Nick - on recycling and efforts that are being done in Lusaka to use recycled materials.

One day, as part of their research, they went to Mercy Ministries - the school and ministry of our friends the Phiris where they are making glass beads out of recycled glass bottles.

The bottles are collected, cleaned and sorted.

Widows from the community clean the bottles.

Bottles are sorted by color and broken into small pieces (to make it easier to melt).

People in the community were trained by a Ghanian glass maker.

He built this kiln for them to use.

The re-hot kiln baking the beads

The glass pieces are put into the molds.


After the beads are fired - they have to smooth out the rough spots - which they do by rubbing the beads with mud on a flat stone...the finished product is in front.

Jurgen, Nick and Peter made their own beads.


Finished beads.

DURING THE EXHIBITION

The evening of the exhibition display, the grade 5 kids had an amazing performance before people walked around to see the exhibits. There was singing and dancing and speeches. We all walked away amazed and impressed with what 10 and 11 year olds can do.

Peter (standing on the box) - had a dancing part! Imagine our surprise when we saw him dancing! He was great!

Peter showing his materials for some parents.

Some of the displays on the stage...most kids worked in groups of 2-3 and both the displays and their knowledge of their subject was impressive. Some of the other topics kids picked:

- Animal Conservation

- Deforestation

- Poaching and Illegal Fishing

- Water Shortage and Water Pollution

- Energy

- Import and Export vs. Local Business

- Illegal Charcoaling