This week, Grade 4 became food scientists for a special Food Tasting Workshop!
Students explored how our senses help us understand the world around us by tasting and identifying different flavours: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, umami, and kōka (aroma). They carefully considered how each food tasted, smelled, and felt, and then shared their observations with their classmates.
The students quickly discovered that tasting is not as simple as saying, “I like it” or “I don’t like it.” They began using more precise language to describe their experiences and noticed that the same food can create different reactions for different people.
Making Connections to the IB
This experience provided an authentic opportunity for students to develop their inquiry skills. They made observations, asked questions, compared experiences, recorded their thinking, and communicated their ideas with others.
The workshop also connected strongly to the IB Learner Profile. Students became Inquirers as they investigated how our senses work, Thinkers as they identified and compared flavours, and Communicators as they explained their ideas and listened to different opinions.
Most importantly, students learned that our understanding of the world is influenced by our senses and experiences. Through a simple food tasting activity, Grade 4 practised being curious, open-minded learners who are willing to explore something new—even when it might taste a little strange!
It was a delicious example of learning through real experiences, inquiry, and reflection.
