AlannaNielsen, RobinMay, MartaZwart enjoyed lunch at Mexicali Rosa's yesterday.

Grade 5 Students get a taste of Mexico
Wednesday, March 21, 2007 -- Jennifer Higgs
Jaron Kaller can tell his classmates about Mexico first-hand. For March break last week he travelled to the Yucatan Peninsula and saw the Mayan ruins and other places he is learning about in class.

"The sun is really hot there," he says. He visited different parts of the country as well as a resort.

"They had Mexican food there, but it was a lot different than

Jaron Kaller

this," he says looking at the spread of food on his plate at Mexicali Rosa’s. He and his Grade 5 class at Rhema enjoyed the Mexican flavour this week while wrapping up a unit on the country.

The students had a tour of the Peterborough restaurant and kitchen on March 20 before digging into their plates featuring quesadillas, nachos and fiesta rice.

Kathryn Dykstra, who teaches the Grade 5 class at Rhema, says some of the 32 students at the restaurant had eaten there before but for others it was something different. "They were excited to try these new foods," she says.

Dykstra began the curriculum about a month ago highlighting Mexico’s geography, history and religions.

"The students really seemed to be interested in the religions and the differences between why people believe what they believe," says Dykstra. The class discussed the Aztec, Mayan, Roman Catholic and Protestant religions.

Dykstra says her class is eager to learn about the country. When hearing about environmental problems in Mexico City, the pupils were able to see how local ways (like recycling) help other places in the world.

Students will showcase their Mexican inspired arts and crafts to the younger grades during a Fiesta day on March 21. The classroom will be set up as booths and students have the chance to play the role of merchants trying to sell their goods. Students in the class are welcome to wear their sombreros and other festive clothes.

Kaller remembers meeting many merchants when he was in Mexico. "In Mexico, everybody’s trying to sell you something," he says.