Caleb in the garden

Boiling the broccoli

Student Caleb Date 29 August 2008
Observer Jenny (ORRS teacher)

Today, the school gardener let us know that the broccoli was ready to pick. Caleb was thrilled to hear this. We went out to the garden armed with secateurs and a bowl. Caleb told me he liked eating broccoli – so I knew he would recognise it in the garden. Sure enough, after a brief hunt through the vegetables he was able to point to it.

Caleb was keen to have a quick taste so I gave a small piece a wash then let him try it raw. He ate it without comment. I then cut off a larger piece and asked him what we would need to do before we ate it. He told me it needed cooking.

We took it to the staffroom and Caleb found a suitable saucepan. There was no matching lid, so we discussed sizes – too big, too small. I told Caleb the broccoli would be ready to eat when the water turned green. He predicted it would take five seconds. After about 10 minutes he noticed the water was changing colour. I drained the water and he tested whether the broccoli was ready by pushing a fork into the stem. We cut it into two pieces. Caleb ate both pieces very quickly. He sure loves broccoli. He then wanted to eat the teacher’s food that was sitting on the bench. We washed and dried the dishes together. He is now very keen to pick the rest of the vegetables and to have a big cook up.

At the following PMP session he told the other children all about his broccoli and how he cooked it. The others were impressed and now want to do the same. I suggested to Caleb he could help them. He was excited and questioned, “Now?”

Footnote: Two weeks later there was more broccoli to pick. Caleb and three other children picked and cooked it. Caleb really enjoyed being the “big brother” and helping them to cut, cook, and eat. This has been a nice chance for him to have a leadership role.

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