A Gratitude Feast
Every year, students in Rotolo Middle School’s Instructional Learning Program prepare a “Gratitude Feast” for their families and staff members. This year’s Gratitude Feast included 50 diners!
ILP students not only plan and prepare an entire meal for their guests and classmates, but they also set the theme and provide the entertainment.
This year’s theme was a luau, based on the readers theater script, “Turkey Takes a Vacation,” written by a former ILP student. (A “readers theater” is a strategy for helping students develop reading fluency. So, instead of memorizing parts, students practice reading them several times to develop their fluency skills. The student performers also bring the text alive by using voice, facial expressions, and gestures.)
Prior to the meal, students sourced recipes, created grocery lists, shopped, and then followed the recipes while cooking and baking. These tasks helped students build on their math, reading, and writing skills. They also got to practice problem-solving skills when things didn’t go as planned, such as cutting into a pineapple that was not fresh and having to return the item back to the store.
“We start work on our Gratitude Feast right after Halloween,” said Barbara Mamach, RMS special education teacher. “Everything always comes together by the time all guests arrive. It’s such great learning experience for our students and a wonderful way for them to show their progress with families.”
