For 3rd and 4th graders, we taught them about the challenges of bringing food to grocery stores through a “Food Distribution Relay” game. This game highlighted the food processing route by assigning students with roles such as farmers, food storage operators, food processors, and store owners. Each team had to “process” potatoes into potato chips as fast as possible by transferring the product to each designated student. Through this game and identifying what Washington imports and exports, students gained a hopeful appreciation for and better understanding of complex, environmentally taxing food processing practices.
For 5th and 6th graders, we focused on teaching how the food market in the US relies on one vegetable, corn, to supply most ingredients in processed foods. Corn is used as a sugar substitute and preservative in most unhealthy, low-quality food. Students learned how to find corn-derived ingredients and question the food they put into their bodies. We taught them how to read a nutrition panel, research ingredients, and understand the processes behind creating ingredients. We also helped them comprehend the demand of corn and how the environment is stressed in result.
Altogether, all lessons portrayed the complexity of the food industry-how it deserves our respect and attention, as our health and environment are directly affected by it.
I was very excited about teaching the subject of food sourcing, as it is something that 7 billion people rely on for life. Learning about where food came from was one of the most interesting and complex lessons of my academic career, thus I was enthused with the opportunity to share. I believe the intricate process of how we get our food needs attention at a young age to develop a culture of caring about what we eat and understanding the effects we have on the environment by retrieving our food. I was initially nervous about teaching this subject as it is complex and difficult to communicate, but I was very pleased with the feedback I received from the students. Specifically, when teaching 5th and 6th graders, I was overwhelmed with joy to see students taken aback by the fact that corn is in our food without our knowledge. They became deeply dedicated to analyze other ingredients on nutrition panels and know about what other ingredients hide in our food. Witnessing this strong desire to learn in all classes this week inspired me greatly as a teacher. Teaching at Quileute Tribal School this Spring Break was incredibly rewarding and I hope to return next year indefinitely.
Despite only being in La Push a week, I felt apart of the community. We stayed right next to the school and attended their weekly Drum Circle event, which highlighted cultural traditions through dance and ceremonial rituals. I enjoyed participating in the traditional dances with fellow EASB teachers and with Quileute Tribe members as each dance represented an important historical component of their culture. It was heart-warming to witness the connectedness of the community at this event! In addition, we were able to learn about Quileute history by talking to Quileute Tribal Council Chairperson, Naomi Jacobson. This further opened my eyes to the tribe’s endurance and strength throughout history. This is truly an inspiring community that I feel honored to have been welcomed into for the short time during Spring Break.
-Sierra Kross