Let's Eat!

Food is an ingredient that binds us all together. In Mr. Garcia's 4th grade class, his students are learning so much more than what can be found in their textbooks. They are learning the importance of culture, traditions, faith, fun, and collaboration combined with reading, math, and science! During the first half of the year, students made calabacitas, stone soup, and tortillas in class and have tasted homemade biscochitos and tamales.
Mr. Garcia always explains the story behind what the students are making or eating. "He tells us that it's never too late for us to re-start a tradition or to start a new one -- I like that about him!" says Laila Martinez. In class, students also discuss the importance of traditions and the importance of keeping them alive.
Infusing the art of cooking into the classroom has been an incredible teaching medium. Students are engaged because they can see, do, smell, and taste! "Before Christmas," says Laila, "my mother and I brought in some tamales and much to my surprise, every student ate an entire tamale! More than half the class had never tasted one before."