Every Edible Social Studies unit ends with something sweet, and this year we thought strawberry shortcakes would be a fun treat for the kindergarteners to assemble and enjoy at the park. Our food rule for this lesson was Eat Together! A lot of nutritional dogma can feel restrictive, punitive, or totally divorced from pleasure, but more and more science is emerging on the role of relationships in our overall health and specifically the benefits of eating with friends and family. When we sit at the table (or on the grass) with each other and break bread, we are communicating, slowing down, often laughing, and strengthening social bonds.
We read Cathryn Falwell’s beautiful counting book Feast for 10, which depicts a family shopping for, preparing, and sitting down to enjoy a meal together. Each of the kindergarten chefs got to make their own strawberry shortcake. Some students piled the strawberries and cream on top of the cake, while others took a more deconstructed approach and enjoyed the components separately. Some tried the mint garnish and reported back that it tasted “fresh,” “spicy,” and “like toothpaste.” While everyone ate, we sang “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” a good reminder that we always have each other if we are ever feeling lonely. We ended class with a closing circle where everyone had the opportunity to share their favorite meal we shared together this year.
We want to thank our incredible kindergarten teaching team, Ms. Martinez and Ms. Vashti, for making Edible Social Studies work during such a chaotic transitional time this year and to all the students for their spirited engagement. We can’t wait to see them all again in first grade and hope everyone has a colorful, delicious summer break!
