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Bok Choy and Beans

Bok Choy

Our bok choy was ready for harvest! Harvesting is always an experience for me personally- the excitement of picking something that you grew and you know will be enjoyed by others is amazing. But then, there is this other weird part that is slightly, ever so slightly, possessive of it and its life. I love watching it grow so when it is time to harvest there is a delicate sadness that sweeps over me. But... moving on!

When I showed them the vegetable in class, one child correctly labelled it. They were excited to wash it, cut it and the cooking table had lots of helpers. Some tasted it raw. Jack said "It's a little bit sweet and I like it." Emma said "I love it!". Connor said "That's crunchy." and Makena said "There's flowers in there."









We tossed it with some olive oil.


A dash of sea salt. And black pepper.




We sauteed it for just a few minutes and Makena said " Smell it Connor. It smells yummy" to which Connor added "It smells like peas."

To keep things interesting we ate our greens picnic style in a circle. The joy of eating together brought the following comments:

Emma: I like it, It's crunchy.
Rhys: I like it cause it is yummy and crunchy.
Miele: I don't like it.
Jack: I like it because when I tried it.. (pause) it's like (pause) inside it, it's crunchy.
Kensie: I love the crunching cool.
Grace: It's yummy.
Jordyn: I like it because it is a little bit salty.
Makena: It's peppery and salty and I like it.
Rhyan: I don't like it.
Connor: I like it cause it really is frying and it has juice and salt and water.
Koltyn: I like it.
Sebastian: I don't like it.

Joban and Matias did not want to try it...will keep trying:)

Measuring with Scarlet Runner Beans

A couple of weeks ago while drawing scarlet runner beans, several children held the bean up to their leg and started to measure themselves against the bean. After class the teachers discussed this interest and I suggested maybe we use the beans to measure each child. After a long play outdoors we came in and everyone, including the teachers, was measured using our scarlet runner beans.  We all enjoyed this activity immensely. Each child was deeply engaged and they were counting together as a group. We recorded the measurements on a piece of paper and will bring it out next week. I asked the children if they would like to measure themselves on Monday- I think you know how they responded. So, on Monday you will see- a carpet, a big bowl of beans, paper and pencils. Ready to measure and record!




What will happen?
  • I asked them to please keep the beans intact. Will they be able to refrain from shelling them?
  • Will they add more beans to make themselves seem taller?
  • Will they want to write the number down on paper?
  • How will them group themselves?
  • Will they begin to measure other things in the classroom?
Excited for Monday!

Emily



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