Ferndale Schools Extravaganza to Feature Hands-On Learning Demonstrations

What's more fun than learning about volcanoes? Building one and making it erupt.

In Ferndale teacher Ruth Tavalire's sixth-grade class at , students get to do just that.

Each of Tavalire's students completed research on the volcano of their choice and wrote a report on what they learned. Then they built and decorated model volcanoes using paper mache, and tried out different recipes of baking soda and vinegar to make them erupt.

"You can add to it to make it faster or slower," Tavalire said, adding that some students added marshmallows and Rice Krispies to give the appearance of rocks falling from it.

Extravaganza features volcano projects and more

Several of Tavalire's sixth-graders will display their volcano projects at on Saturday as part of the school district's . The biggest district event of the year, the Extravaganza aims to show parents and future students the type of learning opportunities available at Ferndale schools.

"We’re going to have them help some of the younger kids actually make volcanoes erupt," said Tavalire, who has had her class participate in the event for several years in a row.

The districtwide showcase is scheduled for noon-4 p.m. Saturday in the Ferndale High School gym and commons area and is designed to show district families, community members and real estate agents what Ferndale schools have to offer.

"It's really important to us that parents of little children who aren't in school yet know that they can come and check out the school this way," community relations director Stephanie Hall said. "We have the teachers do sample lessons the way they would do it in school."

Learn about curriculum, enjoy all-city concerts

The event will feature information on curriculum, fine arts and student work, and is also held in conjunction with three all-city (grades 4-12) free concerts. The choir will perform at 1 p.m., the band at 4 p.m. and the orchestra at 7 p.m.

"We're really trying to attract parents who want to see what it's like in the future grades for them," she said, adding that parents of kindergarteners might enjoy seeing what a third-grade classroom lesson is like.

'It allows us to show our brightest and best'

Tavalire said her students are looking forward to the event. "It gives the kids a chance to feel proud of what they’ve done and to show off their accomplishments to someone else," she said.

As for the Extravaganza, she said it's a great chance to show the community "how creative we can be in delivering our curriculum."

"I think it allows us to show our best and brightest and our greatest ideas," she said.

Other curriculum presentations include:

• Dissection of sheep eyes with fourth-grade teacher Michele Harris
• Fingerprinting and forensic science with high school teacher Christine Murphy
• Third-grade Games 'Aganza with teachers
• Optical illusion art with teacher Donna Walimaa

If you go:

Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Food will be available for purchase.

is located at 881 Pinecrest. For more information, visit www.ferndaleschools.org.